Rattanakosin Island will take on a whole new look on Sunday when the usual four-wheeled gridlock will be replaced by two-wheeled fun to mark Bangkok Car Free Day 2016.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the historic area of Bangkok, including Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, as it will be given over to cyclists and pedestrians for the day.
World Car Free Day is celebrated on Sept 22 in most places, but since that is a weekday, Bangkok authorities have chosen Sunday in order to limit traffic problems.
Commentary: Go Dutch when cycling
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will hold a cycling event covering nine kilometres on 11 roads around Rattanakosin Island from 7am to noon. Intended to encourage more city residents to use their bikes as part of their daily life, the event is expected to attract thousands of participants.
The roads are Na Phra That, Phra Arthit, Phra Sumen, Tanao, Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, Bamrung Muang, Kalayana Maitri, Sanam Chai, Thai Wang, Maha Rat and Na Phra Lan.
The Traffic Control and Command Centre said the entire section of Na Phra That Road from the National Museum to the Na Phra Lan T-intersection in front of the Grand Palace would be closed to cars until 8pm on Sunday and turned into a walking street.
Ten other roads in the area are not officially closed but motorists are encouraged to get into the spirit of the campaign by avoiding the routes, as car travel will be inconvenient in any case because of the other activities taking place.