Bangkok’s Royal Barge Procession takes to the Chao Phraya on Friday 6 November, opening a weekend of mostly free or low-cost events that also includes a farmers’ market, a Detective Conan exhibition, a community swap shop and a Diwali festival with riverside fireworks.
The procession is the headline. Tourism Authority of Thailand material ties it to the Royal Kathin ceremony at Wat Arun, and the events below run through Sunday 8 November. Details and prices are as reported on 6 November 2026 and can change.
Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya
Their Majesties the King and Queen travel by river to Wat Arun for the Royal Kathin robe-offering ceremony. The procession involves 52 ceremonial barges and around 2,200 Royal Thai Navy personnel, with the Suphannahong carrying the royal couple along a 3.9-kilometre route.
The fleet is due to leave Wasukri Pier at around 3pm. It then passes Rama VIII Bridge, Phra Pinklao Bridge, Siriraj Hospital, Tha Maharaj and Tha Chang before reaching Wat Arun, with traditional boat chants accompanying it.
Public viewing is free and needs no ticket at several designated riverside areas: Santichaiprakan Park, Tha Maharaj, Tha Chang, beneath Rama VIII Bridge, the park beside Siriraj Hospital and Wat Rakhang. Free shuttle buses run between 11am and 6pm. Heavy crowds are expected, so get to your viewing spot well before the 3pm departure rather than turning up at the last minute.
Bangkok Farmer Market at The Nine Center Rama 9
The market runs 4 to 8 November, 10am to 8pm, with free entry. More than 40 sellers offer fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade food, plants and small-batch goods, alongside handmade linen, embroidered textiles, ceramics and craft jewellery. Torn Bunjo plays live country and bluegrass music, also free.
Detective Conan 30th Anniversary Exhibition at ICONSIAM
The Detective Conan 30th Anniversary TV Series Exhibition is in the Attraction Hall on the sixth floor of ICONSIAM, open 10am to 9pm with last entry at 8:30pm. It closes on Sunday 8 November. It is billed as the first edition in Southeast Asia and opened in July.
It covers three decades of the series through storyboards, voice-acting displays, an anniversary theatre and recreated locations. Regular tickets cost 250 baht and include a random collectable ticket and a magnifying glass. VIP tickets cost 500 baht and Fan Fan tickets 900 baht. The merchandise area outside the main exhibition is free to enter, though some items inside are reserved for ticket holders.
Community Swap Shop in Ekkamai
Mindful Sparks holds its monthly Community Swap Shop on Saturday 7 November, 9am to 12:30pm, at Harmony Hub on the third floor of SC Mansion, Ekkamai Soi 12. Participation is donation-based with no minimum.
Clothes, books, toys and household items are welcome. Bringing something is not required and there is no fixed swapping limit. Items must be safe and usable, and broken goods, rubbish and single-use plastics are not accepted. Unclaimed items go to local charities.
Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival at ICONSIAM River Park
The Grand Diwali Festival at River Park runs for three nights, 6 to 8 November, with free entry. The “Lotus by the River” theme centres on a giant illuminated lotus beside the Chao Phraya.
Friday opens with a Golf F.HERO concert, 7pm to 8:30pm. The programme also includes Bollywood dancing, Indian-Thai performances, religious activities and sessions on Sikh and Namdhari turban traditions. The main Diwali Night is Sunday: a candle-lighting ceremony runs 5pm to 6pm, riverside fireworks start at 6pm, and a Ramayana-Ramakien performance follows.
Staying a bit longer? We have guides to spending one day in Bangkok and to a Bangkok itinerary built around the BTS Skytrain.
