BANGKOK: Tens of thousands of excited Thais gathered on Monday along the banks of Bangkok’s murky Chao Phraya river as the glittering Royal Barges made a rare appearance to launch celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday.

Fifty-two longtail boats manned by 2,200 oarsmen, guardsmen, drummers and singers resplendent in brightly-coloured tunics sailed in formation through the heart of the Thai capital on their way to Wat Arun, the temple of dawn.

Tens of thousands of onlookers formed a sea of yellow — the colour associated with the king — along the banks of the waterway, anxiously setting up cameras to capture the majestic spectacle.

“We haven’t seen this before and just to see this once in our lifetime... it’s very beautiful,” said Pornpipat Sanuerjai, a 22-year-old teacher.

Traditionally, the Thai king takes his place on the century-old royal barge Suphannahongse, or “Golden Swan”, to deliver robes to monks in a ceremony marking the end of Buddhist Lent.

But the deeply revered monarch did not attend the outing of the Royal Barges on Monday, and assigned Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to go in his place.

Celebrations for the king’s birthday on Dec 5 come amid worries for the health of the monarch, who is in a Bangkok hospital after falling ill in mid-October. Doctors diagnosed irregular blood flow in the brain.

King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, is treated with an almost religious devotion in Thailand, where his picture hangs on every corner and insulting the royal family is punishable by a decade in prison.

The Royal Household Bureau has said the king is regaining strength each day — news welcomed along the banks of the river.

Since King Bhumibol ascended to the throne on June 9, 1946, the boats have plied the river only 15 times.

Normally the intricately ornamented barges, their prows decorated with garudas, nagas and other mystical creatures from Buddhist and Hindu mythology, are kept in a museum.

But on days of national importance, navy oarsman in sarongs, red tunics and traditional hats propel 52 boats through the water to the banging of drums,.

The Golden Swan takes pride of place. Made from a single piece of wood, it is the largest dug-out in the world at nearly 50 metres (164 feet) long, with a huge swan carved into its bow.

—AFP