Country salutes Queen
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HUNDREDS of thousands of Thais Sunday cycled in Bangkok and other provinces nationwide to mark Her Majesty the Queen's 83th birthday in a record show of loyalty led by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Almost 295,000 people registered in advance for the “Bike For Mom” event, consisting of 40,000 in Bangkok and 254,863 in the provinces, but the actual number of participants nationwide was higher, estimated at between 300,000 and 400,000.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous largest cycling record was set in Taiwan, with about 70,000 participants.
In Bangkok, the Crown Prince presided over the opening ceremony at 3pm at the Royal Plaza. After blaring a horn to start the event, he and his daughter HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha led the procession to the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khaen and returned to the starting point to complete the 43-kilometre route.
The other provinces held the event with varying routes and participants from all walks of life to express their loyalty to HM the Queen and the Royal Family.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and several Cabinet members joined the event, with the premier gesturing “I love you” with his hands at the starting point.
Deputy premiers Wissanu Krau-ngam, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, Yongyuth Yutthawong, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda, and Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya were among the participants. Members of the Democrat, Pheu Thai and other political parties such as former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva also took part in the event.
According to Guinness World Records, participants had to follow the rules to be counted, meaning they had to leave the starting point at the same time nationwide and had to bike continuously for a minimum of four kilometres.
“His Majesty the King and the Royal Family have greatly supported us scouts, so we want to express our gratitude to them” said Village Scouts director Pol General Somsak Khwaengsopa, who wanted to complete the full course in Bangkok.
“Forty three kilometres is nothing to me, actually,” said a vigorous 82-year-old Ruenkham Saen-in, who regularly travels from her northern hometown of Uttaradit to film a television programme in Bangkok.
