Welcome to the New Footprints’ blog!! Please do visit our blog regularly to read accounts of our own travels, along with photographs, and relevant news updates on accommodations, dining, and new travel experiences to be found in all of our favourite destinations.

And our first post comes with news from Thailand, where anyone visiting Bangkok in October will have the opportunity to witness one of the grandest events in the Kingdom with the staging of the spectacular Royal Kathin Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya – the ‘River of Kings’. This ancient tradition, revived by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1959, will take place on October 22, 2011 to commemorate the King’s 84th birthday.

Officially known as the Praratcha Phithi Phra Yuha Yatra Cholamak (Royal Waterway Procession), this water-borne procession is reserved only for the most significant cultural and religious events and has been held only 16 times during His Majesty’s reign. The procession will be organized by the Royal Thai Navy and will mark the visit of members of the royal family to present offerings of saffron kathin robes, food and other necessities to the monks at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) to mark the end of the three-month Buddhist rains’ retreat in October. Barges will carry the deeply revered Buddha image and the royal family to present the robes.

The Royal Kathin barge Procession on October 22 will consist of a fleet of 52 traditional-style barges arranged in five columns, based on a battle formation from ancient times. This is made up of four major royal barges, as well as 10 additional barges with animal figureheads and 38 smaller vessels. The five-column fleet stretches 4,200 feet in length and 360 feet in width. A total of 2,200 sailors from various units within the Royal Thai Navy will serve as oarsmen.

The ceremony is perhaps best witnessed from any of the riverside restaurants that line the Chao Prhya, but do note that reservations will be essential!