Thousands of people flocked to the Thai Army Sports Stadium on Saturday morning to get free souvenirs for the Bike for Mom cycling event to be held on Aug 16 to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's 83rd birthday.
Thai media reported the line, which started from the Army's Club gate, was at the PTT petrol station at the corner of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, at noon.
As of midday on Saturday, 8,000 T-shirts were still available, most of them size S.
The organisers announced on Friday those who have registered to join the event through the website www.bikeformom2015.com since early this month could each receive a pin and a T-shirt with the event's emblem over the weekend from 9am to 8pm.
- Photo gallery: 'Bike for Mom' gifts
The gifts will be given to the participants one by one in front of the image of the Queen and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, who will lead the caravan.
They need to bring ID cards or the equivalent but copies are not acceptable. Children can apply using their house registration documents. They also need to tell staff the codes they got from registering online. One person is entitled to on right.
After registering for the gifts, the participant will get a coupon and go to a tent specified on it to receive the gifts in front of the royal image.
Police have closed the northbound local lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road from Veterans General Hospital to Sutthisan intersection from 5am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Parking space for 800 cars is provided opposite the Army's Club - at the Thailand National Defence College, National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), Surasakmontree School and Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok: Chakrabongse Bhuvanarth Campus.
Officials, however, recommended using public transport since a free shuttle bus service is provided from the Victory Monument, Mor Chit bus station, and Chatuchak market.
As of Saturday, some 300,000 signed up for the event, 255,000 of whom will join for parallel events in the provinces.
Two participants show the pins they received as a souvenir of the event.
The queue of people seeking to receive gifts for the Bike for Mom cycling event in Bangkok stretches from the Army Club to the PTT station on the outbound local lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road at noon on July 25, 2015.
