Mr. Sumeth Damrongchaitham, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), presided over a sacred ceremony that was conducted by Phra Maha Raja Guru Bidhi Sri Visudhigun to bless the Suphannahong Royal Barge aircraft livery that commemorates the Royal Coronation Ceremony 2019. The ceremony was attended by THAI Management and staff at the THAI Technical Department, Don Mueang, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
Mr. Sumeth Damrongchaitham, THAI President, said that the Royal Coronation Ceremony 2019 was held on 4 May 2019, with celebrations to continue until 4 May 2020. THAI, as the national carrier under the Ministry of Transport, has organized activities to commemorate the Royal Coronation as an expression of loyalty and honor. THAI received permission to paint the Suphannahong Royal Barge aircraft livery on its Boeing 777-300 aircraft, royally bestowed the name “Lahan Sai.” The Royal Coronation Emblem will appear on THAI's aircraft throughout the Coronation Year.
The Suphannahong Royal Barge, originally called “Si Suphannahong” or “Chai Suphannahong Royal Barge,” has been the King's royal barge since the Ayutthaya era. The current Suphannahong Royal Barge was constructed by the royal command of King Rama V and was completed in the reign of King Rama VI. At the front or bow of the barge is a golden swan figurehead, the body or hull is the body of the swan etched in wood and decorated with gold leaf, mirrors, tassels, and engraved glass. The exterior of the barge was painted black, while the interior was painted red, with a throne in the middle of the barge for the monarch or royalty. The Royal Barge was 46.15 meters long, 3.17 meters wide, and 15 tons in weight. Furthermore, this Royal Barge will be used in the Royal Procession for travel along the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun Ratchavararam (Temple of Dawn) to present robes to Buddhist monks during this year's annual Royal Kathin Ceremony in October 2019.
In 1999, THAI first painted the Suphannahong Royal Barge aircraft livery on its Boeing 747-400 aircraft royally bestowed the name “Haripunchai” on the auspicious occasion of the Sixth Cycle Birthday of King Rama IX. Therefore, the sacred ceremony is being held to bless the Suphannahong Royal Barge aircraft livery that is painted on THAI's Boeing 777-300 aircraft that was royally bestowed the name “Lahan Sai,” which will appear on the aircraft from August 2019 to 31 December 2022. This livery differs from the previous one, as there is a rowing team with oars raised symbolic of birds in flight. A sticker (decal) has been used in place of aircraft paint spray for a more realistic appearance.
THAI's Boeing 777-300 aircraft, royally bestowed the name “Lahan Sai,” is equipped with a total of 364 seats, 34 seats in Royal Silk Class and 330 seats in Economy Class. This aircraft will be operated on roundtrip flights from Bangkok-Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Sapporo to promote Thai culture worldwide through the Suphannahong Royal Barge aircraft livery.
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