When and where
When: Kathin season: the month after Ok Phansa (October/November)
Rule: Lunar calendar. Period: the day after Ok Phansa to the full moon of the 12th month. 2026: 27 Oct-24 Nov; the Royal Kathin with Barge Procession is on 6 November 2026.
Dates can change. Check the current date shortly before your trip with the local organisers or the tourist office.
About Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession
After Lent ends, every temple may receive the kathin robe for one month, an annual gift of cloth to the monks. Families and communities travel together to temples to donate money, robes and supplies. In Bangkok, on special occasions, the Royal Kathin takes place with a Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya, a parade of 52 golden vessels at Wat Arun. That event is a rare and impressive spectacle.
Getting there
Wat Arun is reached by river boat (Tha Tien pier) and a short cross-river ferry.
Highlights
- Royal barge procession Golden vessels, costumed oarsmen and traditional music on the river.
- Village kathin Village communities travel together to temples to donate.
- Wat Arun The temple forms the backdrop for the Royal Kathin.
Tips for Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession
- The Royal Barge Procession is not annual: check the date with TAT.
- Come early for a riverbank spot and dress neatly at temples.
- Many other kathin ceremonies welcome visitors.
Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession on the map
Pinch to zoom; tap a point for more info. Open circles: approximate location.
The location on the map is approximate.
Kathin is celebrated at every temple; the map shows Wat Arun where the Royal Kathin with the Royal Barge Procession takes place (not every year).
Frequently asked questions about Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession
When is Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession in 2026?
Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession falls in 2026 on 27 October – 24 November and is celebrated nationwide; a well-known spot is Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok. Rule: Kathin season: the month after Ok Phansa (October/November). An official or clearly documented source confirms this date.
Where is the best place to see Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession?
Watch it best at Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok. Golden vessels, costumed oarsmen and traditional music on the river. Wat Arun is reached by river boat (Tha Tien pier) and a short cross-river ferry. Village communities travel together to temples to donate. Highlight: Wat Arun – The temple forms the backdrop for the Royal Kathin.
Is Thod Kathin and Royal Barge Procession free to attend?
Yes, watching is free. The venue is Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok. The Royal Barge Procession is not annual: check the date with TAT. Come early for a riverbank spot and dress neatly at temples. Highlight: Royal barge procession – Golden vessels, costumed oarsmen and traditional music on the river.
Festivals near Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
- King Bhumibol Memorial Day 1 km as the crow flies
- Coronation Day 1 km as the crow flies
- Queen Suthida's Birthday 1 km as the crow flies
- Chakri Memorial Day 1 km as the crow flies
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony 1 km as the crow flies
Also in October / November
- Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival
- Nan Boat Races
- Phichit Long Boat Races
- Bua Tong Blossom Festival (Doi Mae U-Kho)
- Koh Samui Buffalo Fighting
- Chonburi Buffalo Races