Interprovincial trains and certain MRT lines will offer free rides to the "Bike Un Ai Rak" cycling event's participants during this weekend's rehearsal and on the actual day of the event on Dec 9, according to officials.
Workers clean a monument of King Rama IX at Lad Pho Park in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district to prepare for the 'Bike Un Ai Rak' cycling event that will take place across the country on Dec 9. His Majesty the King will lead the event by pedalling from the Royal Plaza to the park. Pawat Laopaisarntaksin
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is giving the free tickets to cyclists travelling between Bangkok and nearby provinces including Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom.
A carriage dedicated to transporting bicycles will be added to the trains on the northern, eastern and southern lines. The transport fee for the bicycles will be waived, according to Worawut Mala, acting SRT governor.
Mr Worawut said the cyclists need to produce citizen ID cards to obtain the free tickets at select train stations.
The fares for the MRT Purple Line and Blue Line trains will also be waived for Un Ai Rak cyclists.
Participants can pick up the free tickets at the station ticketing offices along the two lines, according to the Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM).
The cycling event will take place next weekend in cities across the country.
His Majesty the King will lead the event by pedalling from the Royal Plaza to Lad Pho Park in Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan province. The round trip covers 39 kilometres.
There are many routes throughout Bangkok for participants to ride through.
Those include a 4.2-km route from Lan Khon Muang outside City Hall to Suan Rommaneenart, a 16.2-km circuit that starts and ends at the Royal Turf Club, a second 6.2-km Royal Turf Club circuit, an 11-km Sanam Luang circuit and a 20.6-km Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital route.
The others are the 24.3-km Taksin Bridge circuit, a 24.3-km Wong Wian Yai loop, a 15-km Phra Pradaeng arcade circuit and a 23-km Suphanawa Group warehouse loop.
The Highways Department has repaved a section of the cycling route, over which the agency has direct supervision.
"New roadside lights were installed, road divider markings were repainted, ditches along the route were dredged and the surrounding landscape has been spruced up," said department chief Anont Luengboriboon.
The department has also set aside free parking spaces for the cyclists at its head office on Sri Ayutthaya Road in Bangkok.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau met on Friday to discuss how the traffic will be redirected around the cycling routes, which will be closed in Bangkok from midday on the rehearsal and actual days of the event. The meeting was chaired by assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapat.
Traffic advisories have also been issued in Bangkok for both weekends. The roads to be closed, either partially or entirely are: Ratchadamnoen Nok, Ratchadamnoen Nai, Sanam Chai, Charoen Krung, Chakkrawat, Prachadhipok, Somdet Phra Chao Taksin, Suksawat, Nakhon Khuen Kan, Phet Heung, Somdet Phra Pinklao, Arun Amarin, Wisut Kasat, Issaraparb, Lat Ya, Somdet Chao Phraya, Phaya Mai, Chakkrapet, Maharat, Phra Chan, Na Phra That, Ratchadaphisek, Inthara Pitak and Phetkasem.
Authorities are also preparing to distribute royally bestowed gifts to Un Ai Rak cyclists on Saturday and Sunday at the National Stadium in Bangkok. The gift recipients will be allocated queue cards and divided into nine separate groups. Participants are being advised to take public transportation to the National Stadium.
The Royal Thai Supreme Command has instructed security agencies to implement safety measures at the venue. People were able to register online and at town halls and district offices in Bangkok and other provinces.
A total of 672,321 people across the country have registered to take part in the event. Of those registered, 102,600 signed up to participate in Bangkok.