Hundreds of thousands of yellow-clad cyclists in Thailand and in 66 cities in 52 countries across the world expressed their gratitude, love and loyalty to the King by joining bicycle processions to mark his 88th birthday yesterday.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn led 99,999 cyclists who joined the 29-kilometre bike ride in Bangkok.
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana also joined him in the event.
The bicycle parade started at the Royal Plaza in Dusit district about 3.45pm and passed Ratchaprarop Road, Pratunam intersection, Ratchaprasong intersection and Pathumwan Road.
The procession also took in Silom Road, Yaowarat Road, Wong Wian Yai Road, Arun Amarain Road, Siriraj intersection, Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue before returning to the Royal Plaza about 6.24pm.
Eighty-five roads in the capital were closed for the event.
The bike procession was divided into five groups.
The Crown Prince led the first group which comprised about 500 senior government officials including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet members.
The second and third groups, each consisting of 500 government officials and members of the public, were led by the two princesses.
The last two groups were bicycle maintenance teams, security officials and the remaining riders who signed up for the event.
Well-wishers thronged roadsides where the Crown Prince was leading the procession chanting "Long Live the King".
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee yesterday said a total of 9,805 Thais in 66 cities in 52 countries across the world also took part in the cycling event.
Cities with the most registered cyclists were Tokyo (499), Los Angeles (354) and Siem Reap (255).
The cyclists set off from the Thai embassy in each capital city and rode to a landmark in those cities, he said.
In Bangkok, a total of 199 ambassadors and military attaches from 30 countries also took part in the international bike procession as part of the event yesterday, Mr Sek added.
Royal Thai embassies, consulate-generals, and Thailand trade and economic offices in 96 countries also organised “Bike for Dad” events as well as other activities to mark the auspicious occasion, Mr Sek said.
An exhibition showcasing the King's sufficiency economy philosophy will be held until tomorrow at Sanam Sua Pa, next to the Royal Plaza.
Meanwhile, 498,105 villagers in several regions across the country joined the Bike for Dad activity as well.
The parades started at City Hall in each province. Like the Bangkok event, each covered 29km.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, 29,766 people joined the bike procession, the highest number in all the provinces.
Three cycle maintenance spots with 50 students from 12 local vocational schools were also on hand to help riders along the cycling route which started at City Hall and passed the Thao Suranaree Monument in Muang district.
In Khon Kaen, about 7,400 residents had signed up for the Bike for Dad event. However, many more riders flocked to City Hall on the day of the ride to register since registration remained open up until when the event started.
More than 1,000 police and soldiers were also on hand to provide security for participants along the cycling route in the province.
In Ayutthaya, governor Prayoon Rattanasenee said as well as the 6,925 residents who signed up for the event, about 5,000 more people, including foreign tourists, also took part in the bike parade.
In Kanchanaburi, about 14,000 villagers flocked to City Hall to receive "Bike for Dad" yellow T-shirts and commemorative pins before participating.
In Surin, Prathat Charanyanon, a 85-year-old retired civil servant, with his old bicycle, and Koon Phrasri, a 69-year-old army veteran in his wheelchair, also took part in the bike procession.
Both said, "Long Live the King", and said they felt proud to be part of the event.
At City Hall, 465 riders also gathered in formation to spell out "Love Dad".
In Trang, more than 5,000 people including former prime minister Chuan Leekpai participated. The age of the riders varied from two years old to 93 there.
Jang Ketkaew, 93, a villager in Palian district, was the oldest cyclist in the province.
Mr Jang said he left home early in the morning and believed his participation encouraged other residents to join the cycling activity.
Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces, in the deep South, organised "Bike for Dad" events, including a village in Khok Pho district in Pattani, considered a "red zone" for violence by security authorities.
Ban Dupa village chief, Adae Kangeng, said 300 villagers, from a five-year-old boy to a 75-year-old man, rode to honour His Majesty and show the village was safe.
Cyclists converge around Sanam Luang as they prepare to hit the road in the ‘Bike for Dad’ mass cycling event to mark His Majesty the King’s 88th birthday on Dec 5. More than 600,000 cyclists took part across Thailand and in cities around the world. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
A girl rides a bicycle with national and royal flags as she joins her parents in the biking event outside Nonthaburi provincial hall. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)
