Splendor on the river
November 6, 2007
Photo: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, on the barge Suphannahongse, presides over the Royal Barge Procession on behalf of His Majesty the King, as the spectacular fleet moves down the Chao Phraya river yesterday afternoon. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Today's Bangkok Post has a front-page story on the yesterday's Royal Barge Procession plus a colourful back-page story on how the Royal Barges are kept in top condition. We will look at both, starting with the page-one story.
As I expected, reading yesterday's story turned out to be great preparation for today's story. Together they made a wonderful "before and after" lesson. As you read, notice how the language changes in describing the same events from the perspective of two different days. Here are some examples from yesterday's story:
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is representing His Majesty the King at the spectacle, will board the barge Suphannahongse for the royal kathin ceremony at the Temple of Dawn.
He is scheduled to arrive at the Wasukri pier at 3.30pm and the barge will reach the temple about 4.15pm.
The procession will involve a fleet of 52 traditional barges, four of which are major royal barges. A total of 2,098 naval officers will serve as oarsmen.
Read today's story to see how the language changes now that the event has been completed.
splendour – grand and impressive beauty วิจิตรงดงาม
barge – a large boat, usually with a flat bottom, used for carrying people or goods เรือท้องแบน
Royal Barge – (See photos) เรือพระที่นั่ง
procession – line of people, vehicles, boats, etc. that move along slowly, especially as part of a ceremony ขบวน
on behalf of – for; representing ในนาม
spectacular – very impressvie สง่างาม ภาพอันโอ่อ่า ตระการตา
fleet – a group of boats, planes, buses, taxis, etc. traveling together or owned by the same organisation กองเรือ
perspective – standpoint; point of view; a way of thinking about something ทัศนียภาพ
spectacle – an event or a performance that is very impressive and exciting to look at พระราชพิธีที่งดงาม ตระการตา
board – to get on a boat, plane, bus, etc. ลงเรือพระที่นั่ง
Photo: The Royal Barge procession prepares to leave Wasukri pier and draws huge crowds along the Chao Phraya river.
Magnificent procession pays tribute to His Majesty
Photo:
The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban heads to the Temple of Dawn. JETJARAS
NARANONGAt the trumpeting of the conch shell, chana and mahorathuk drums began the royal anthem and the Royal Barges began their journey down the Chao Phraya river as the long, majestic ceremony reached its highlight yesterday.
The procession was organised to mark His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday on Dec 5. It generated tremendous public excitement.
People wearing yellow shirts lined both sides of the river, waving national and yellow flags with the Royal Emblem as the barges glided past.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the procession and later presented the Royal Krathin Robes to monks at the Temple of Dawn, marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
At 3.30pm, the Crown Prince arrived at the Wasukri pier and was greeted by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.
The Crown Prince then boarded the Royal Barge Suphannahongse, which has its prow in the shape of a stylised swan.
Another major barge, the Anantanagaraj, carried Buddha images and monks’ robes for the krathin ceremony that was to follow. As oarsmen steadied the 52 Royal Barges against the strong currents, the crowds cheered and took photos of the historic spectacle.
The length of the royal flotilla stretched for more than a kilometre along the river. The barges were manned by 2,098 navy personnel.
Santi
Chai Prakarn Park on Phra Arthit road was packed with thousands of
onlookers.As the sound of the traditional boat chant became louder and the Royal Barges approached, the crowd at the park wished for a quick recovery for the King and his elder sister.
At 4.05pm, the Royal Barges arrived off Siriraj Hospital. All the oarsmen paid their respects to the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who are both being treated there.
Ten minutes later, the procession reached the Temple of the Dawn, where the Crown Prince disembarked to perform the krathin ceremony.
magnificent – extremely attractive and impressive ความสง่างาม ความโอ่อ่ารโหฐาน
tribute – an act, a statement, or a gift that is intended to show your respect or admiration for someone การแสดงความจงรักภักดี
trumpeting – making a loud noise เป่าแตร
conch shell – the shell of a sea creature หอยสังข์
anthem – a song which has a special importance for a country, an organisation, or a particular group of people เพลง (สรรเสริญพระบารมี)
majestic – impressive because of size or beauty สง่างาม
highlight – the best, most interesting or exciting part of something ส่วนที่เด่นที่สุด ส่วนที่สำคัญที่สุด
tremendous – very great ยิ่งใหญ่
emblem – a design or picture that represents a country or an organisation or, in this case, the Thai Royal Family สัญลักษณ์
glided – moved smoothly and quietly เคลื่อนผ่านไปอย่างสงบนิ่งและนิ่มนวล
marking – celebrating or officially remembering an important event เป็นเครื่องหมายแสดง
prow – the pointed front part of a boat or ship หัวเรือ
stylised – drawn, written, etc. in a way that is not natural or realistic เขียนหรือออกแบบขึ้น
currents – movements of water in the sea or a river กระแสน้ำ
manned – having people in control ใช้คนบังคับ
onlookers – people who watch something happen ผู้ชม
chant – words or phrases are sung or shouted again and again เพลงขับกล่อม กาพย์เห่เรือ
disembarked – left a ship or an aircraft at the end of a journey ขึ้นจากเรือ