Thai royal barges carry APEC leaders

cctv.com 10-21-2003 09:20

After a day of talks on subjects ranging from tariffs to terrorism, leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation informal leaders' meeting were treated to a spectacle from Thailand's royal past on Monday night.

50 boats, paddled by 2,082 Royal Thai Navy sailors in period costumes, glided down Bangkok's Chao Phraya River in a splendid royal barge procession. Fireworks exploded overhead as beams of light played in the sky, while thousands of floating lanterns drifted in the current and small candles rose into the sky. The intricately gilded and carved barges - canoes made from towering tree trunks - are restored antiques, and are all national treasures.

Editor:Su  Source:CCTV.com