Thailand’s uniquely breathtakingly impressive, yet all too rare, Royal Barge Procession - กระบวนพยุหยาตราชลมารค, is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance spanning 7-centuries, gracing only the most significant cultural and religious events. During the more than 60-year reign of His Royal Highness King Bhumipol Adulyade, this inimitable marvel has only occurred on 16 historical Occasions. Consisting of 52 barges manned by 2,082 oarsman, this truly magnificent flotilla majestically progresses the Chao Phraya River of Kings, passing the left bank Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace, Wat Po, housing an enormous reclining Buddha and famous school of medicinal massage, before finally arriving at the right bank, graphically as well as historically iconic, Wat Arun, “The Temple of the Dawn”. In 1782, King Rama I ordered the construction of the Royal Barge Suvarnahong, Principle Royal Barge for over 100 years, before King Rama VI, in 1911, launched her fitting successor, also named Suvarnahong or “The Golden Swan”.

With a bow resembling a celestial mythical swan, adorned with gold lacquer and glistening jewels, this gracious yet imposing object of bedazzling beauty serenely carries in her bill a mesmerizing crystalline sphere, bedecked with opulent tassels. This 46 meter craft was carved from a single trunk of teak wood, and was launched on the 13^th November, 1911.

There is a golden Pavilion centered on board to house the King and his Royal family. Such is the significance of this spectacular vessel, that the World Ship Trust, in 1992, awarded the Royal Barge Suphannahong as a Maritime World Heritage.

Khun Jirawat Chavanatit is our entrusted renowned honoree guest artist whose stunning creations, using a modern medium and technique combined with traditional skills heavily influenced by Thai classical genius, has for 23-years frozen his imagination and creativity into tangible masterpieces, such as his famous “Ice Buddha”, for all to admire and appreciate.

In his hands, with unique skill the hard lifeless medium of glass is transformed into living molten crystal, spectacularly petrified in time under the spell of a spiritual artistic magician.

With this in mind, it seemed only fitting to present as a welcoming gift to the Summit leaders something that epitomizes the essence of Thai culture. The result, a spectacular interpretation by Khun Jirawat of one of the most famous royal barges, “Suvarnahong”.

May this striking symbol long remind the recipients, of the friendship and deep respect between Thailand and its neighbours within the ASEAN family interestingly, in 2006, Khun Jirawat was commissioned by Khun Victor Suksuree to produce something grand that would grace the newly refurbished lobby of the Dusit Thani, Hua Hin. His brief was that the form and style must be worthy of the Rama VI era of luxury after which the hotel was fashioned. Khun Jirawat did not disappoint and the “Ice Water Fountain”, a symbol of everlasting flow, was born to grace the centrepiece feature of the hotel lobby. Now those attending this final, Thai chaired, summit will have a reminder not only of their first view upon entering the Dusit Thani, Hua Hin, but also of the style of Thai hospitality and instantly recognizable stylistic representations forwhich our beautiful country has become so famous.