The royal barge procession, with HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn seated on the regal Suphannahongsa comprised 51 stunningly decorated vessels in a dazzling display of pageantry.
The barges carried a royal krathin, from Wasukri pier to Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn.
A krathin is a set of clothing that Buddhists present to monks. It must take place within a month after the end of Buddhist Lent.
The three other important royal barges are the Anantanagaraj, the Narayana Song Suban Rama IX and the Anekajatbhujonga.
Kachen Petchwong, a 13-year-old student from Wat Rajaborpit School, said he and his friends arrived early in the morning to get the best vantage point they could find to see the rarely-seen royal barge procession. He especially wanted to see the Narayana Song Suban Rama IX.
‘‘I have just been to see it in the museum. I like the wonderful craftsmanship of Narai sitting on the Garuda. It is very beautiful. So I wanted to see it sailing on the river which was even more beautiful,’’ he said