Half a million to join the event
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TOMORROW WILL see more than half a million cyclists in Thailand and 66 cities around the world joining the "Bike for Dad" celebration of the 88th birthday of His Majesty the King, the world's longest-reigning monarch.
Of the 607,909 registered participants, 99,999 are in Bangkok, 498,105 upcountry and 9,805 overseas, according to the event’s website, which has drawn 3.9 million views.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn – who initiated this event to pay tribute, together with Thais, to his much beloved father – will lead the group covering the 29-kilometre Bangkok route.
Pol Maj-General Songpol Wattanachai, deputy National Police spokesman, said yesterday that the police force was ready to ensure the security of all attendees.
City clerk Peerapong Saichua said 103 schools along the capital’s route would close for the day to support the activities.
They are in 13 districts – Dusit (nine schools), Pom Prab (Sattru Phai) (four), Ratchathewi (four), Pathumwan (eight), Samphantha-wong (three), Klong San (eight), Thon Buri (17), Bangkok Yai (six), Bangkok Noi (15), Bang Phlat (11), Phra Nakhon (11), Bang Rak (five) and Sathon (two).
Many companies have also given their employees the day off so that they can ride in the procession or watch from the sidelines.
Many provinces held dry runs ahead of the big day.
In Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district, Muthita Kaewjinda, 27, joined 200 two-wheel enthusiasts in the 16km-long rehearsal at Boong Ta Lua Water Park, even though her left leg was incapacitated by a childhood road accident.
“I want to be among the people expressing loyalty to our King, the Father of the Land,” she said.
In Khon Kaen’s Muang district, teachers and 30 physically challenged representatives from Sri Sangvalya Khon Kaen School practised with their wheelchairs in the morning.
This week, Khon Kaen University unveiled what it billed as the “world’s first bicycle made of silk”. The prototype will also be part of the “Bike for Dad” event in the northeastern province.
One of the project’s researchers, textile and innovation expert Sutha Loyduanchai, said the silk used for the frame was light in weight but surprisingly strong. Even though the whole vehicle weighed only 10 kilograms, it could carry about 60-80kg.
Panomkorn Kwakhong, the other researcher and a chemical-engineering lecturer at the university, said this product had been patented and had caught the attention of two groups of investors.
One group wants to make 100 bicycles per day in Taiwan using Thai silk. The other plans to produce handmade bicycles that show off Thai silk patterns. It would require two days to complete one frame.
In the future they hope also to use silk to make the other bike components.
