BANGKOK, Oct 21 (TNA) – The government cited four reasons for the postponement of His Majesty the King’s coronation-related royal barge procession.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the procession was postponed from Oct 24 to Dec 12, at 3.30pm. The procession will still comprise 52 barges and travel in the Chao Phraya river 3.4 kilometers for 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Wasukri pier to the Ratchaworadit pier.
The Royal Thai Navy calculated the current and reported its findings to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who then forwarded the report to His Majesty the King for consideration.
The Royal Thai Navy predicted that the strong speed of the current on the Chao Phraya River could be a problem for the procession.
His Majesty the King then decided to postpone the royal barge procession to Dec 12, the deputy prime minister said.
Mr Wissanu said the ceremony was postponed for its prestige, safety, order and the interest of people who should not be affected with discharges of water. Dec 12 was an appropriate time for the royal barge procession, he said.
Given the postponement, there will be four more rehearsals on Nov 12, 19 and 26 and Dec 3 and another full dress rehearsal on Dec 9.
VAdm Chaiyawut Nawikanchana, director-general of the Hydrographic Department, said the current on the old schedule was unpredictable due to influences from quick high tides and air pressure systems which already affected rehearsals in August and September. (TNA)
