The Royal Barge scheme was unveiled in late September 1999 in association with the national "Amazing Thailand" tourism campaign and in anticipation of Bhumibol Adulyadej (the King of Thailand)'s 72nd birthday celebrations. Thailand's Royal Barge Procession is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has taken place for nearly 700 years. The Royal Barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional Thai art.
Only 16 processions took place during Bhumibol Adulyadej's 70 years of reign. A Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun took place on 4 November 1999 (in the King's 6th cycle, 72 years old). Another procession took place for the APEC Meeting on 20 October 2003 (in the meantime, the two Jumbos had gained APEC 2003 titles in replacement of the Amazing Thailand markings).
The barge displayed on the two Jumbos was a replica of the Suphannahong Royal Barge built in 1911, which is still the regular Royal Barge to date. The golden pavilion on board the barge houses the king and the immediate royal family.
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