Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

H.M. King Bhumibol Rama IX The World's Longest Serving Monarch and Thailand's Beloved King. He reigns with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.

During the Coronation Ceremony, The Great White Umbrella of State, the Five Royal Regalia and the Royal Utensils were presented to the King, signifying His Majestic position as well as complete loyalty from his subjects. Not only symbolising the respect due to kingship, these Royal Objects also remind the people of the King's burdens, and his regal responsibilities to his subjects.

The Great White Umbrella of State	The Five Royal Regalia	The Great Crown of Victory	The Sword of Victory
The Royal Staff	The Royal Fan and the Oval Fly Whisk	The Royal Up-turned Slippers	The Royal Utensils
The Water Urn	The Receptacle	The Libation Vessel	The Betel Nut Set

One of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's most spectacular legacies from his ancestors is his fleet of ornately carved royal barges. Predominantly gold and scarlet, mostly constructed during the reigns of early Chakri kings and resemble the barges that were used by Ayuthaya kings for transport. The Barges are powered by briliantly-costumed, chanting oarsmen. These barges have been used to carry His Majesty to the riverside Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) to present monks with robes after the annual Rains Retreat.

The Principal Royal Barges, The Subanahongsa. The name 'Subanahongsa' or 'Golden Hamsa', a swan - like mythical steed of Brahma, first appeared in chronicals of the Ayutthaya Period. King Rama I commanded the Ropyal Barge Sir Subanahongsa to be built soon after his accession to the throne in 1782. This predecessor of the Subanahongsa was 36 metres in length, 2.88 metres at the beam and drew a draught of 67 centimetres. She was in constant use as the Principal Royal Barge until she become too old to be repaired. King Rama VI then commanded the building of her successor, the present Subanahongsa which was launched on November 13, 1911.

Second in rank to the Subanahongsa is the Royal Barge Anantanagaraj or 'Multiple Headed Naga', the mythical snake-like creature, symbol of water. The Anantanagaraj also has a predecessor which was built furing the reign of King Rama IV. She was launched on April 15, 1914 in the reign of King Rama VI

Oldest of the Principal Royal Barges is the Anekajatibhujonga. She was built upon the command of King Rama V. Her crew consists of 61 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 2 officers, 1 standard bearer, 1 signalman, 1 chanter and 7 Royal Isignia bearers. In state procession along the waterways, the Anekajatibhujonga stands out as being majestically plain. She bears no pictorial figurehead, but has a simple yet graceful beam-like prow. Covered all over with a most intricate pattern of innumerable naga figures. Thus in contrast to the Subanahongsa which is best seen from a distance, the closer one approaches the Anekajatibhujonga, the more apparent her intricate detail becomes. This is the work of dedication by crafstmen who took great care not only for the general appearance, but also for absolute detail.

In places of honour leading the Principal Royal Barges are pairs of ancient escort barges. These have a long history dating from the First Reign, undergoing periodic restorations until the present. They carry signalling drums and ceremonial musical instruments. Apart from ceremonial duties, they also go to the immediate aid of the Royal Barges in case of difficulty.

The Ekachai Hernhow is 29 metres long and 1.8metres at the beam. Her twin the Ekachai Laothong is 27 metres long and 2 metres at the beam. Each has a complement of 38 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 2 officers, 1 standard bearer and 1 signalman. The Ekachai barges display tapering column figureheads. The represent the horns of yet another mythical animal, the hera, the horned dragon. The heads and bodies of the hera are actually painted on the prow using the gilded lacquer technique in which gold leaf is applied onto a black lacquer background. The heras are depicted as fierce animals with open mouths breathing fire. Their fangs protrude and their long tongues support crystalline orbs.

The Krut or Garuda, steed of Vishnu, is the figurehead of this class of barge. The Krut Tret Traichak is 26.5 metres long and 1.8 metres at the beam. The Krut Hern Rahet is of the same length and 2metres at the beam. Each carries 34 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 1 standard bearer, 1 signalman and 2 station makers. The garudas are depicted in full flight with protruding eyes and bared fangs. Their arms and legs spread out with feathers fluttering in the wind. They hold a naga in each hand and foot. The body of the garuda straddles the canon port in the bow. The hulls of the barges are decorated with gilded lacquer using traditional floral motif.

The passing of Princess Galyani set the stage for the most elaborate royal ceremony ever to be seen by the Thai people. In a world constantly being subjected to the forces of sectarian strife, economic instability and political turmoil the Royal Family of Thailand appears set in another time or even in another world. The monarchy in Thailand is for all accounts neutral in its response to any political strife but shows immense humanitarian support in times of natural disasters and high profile human interest stories.

The Three Thai royal chariots are Phra Maha PichaiRatcharot, or Great Victory Chariot, Phra Wetchayanta Ratcharot and Phra RatcharotNoi, or Little Charriot. These magnificent 200-year-old chariots have undergone a full restoration since the death of the Thai Royal Princess 'Princess Galyani' by a team of Thai artisans skilled in traditional construction techniques. The Thai royal chariot Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot is 11.2 meters tall and 15.3 meters long. Built in the reign of Thailand's King Rama I in the Rattanakosin period, in 1795. The Thai royal chariot Phra Wetchayanta Ratcharot is 11.7 meters tall, 17.5 meters long, weighs 40 tonnes and requires 206 men - 160 in front and 46 at the rear, to draw it. Also built in the reign of Thailand's King Rama I, in 1799, for use to carry the remains of high-ranking members of the royal family to the Sanam Luang ground.

Seven nagas dominate the royal chariot. It was used to carry the remains of King Sisavang Vong to the field near Wat That Luang for his cremation in April 1961. There are three ornate gilded sandlewood urns, that contained the remains of the king's father (in front) and mother (in the rear); Sisavang Vong's remains are given the central place of honour under the canopy.

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