Eastern Seaboard unites to ‘Bike for Dad’

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Tens of thousands of Eastern Seaboard residents donned yellow shirts and took to the streets to honor HM the King for his 88th birthday during the kingdom-wide “Bike for Dad” event. The national activities were deemed a huge success, as hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life took part across the country, as did reportedly thousands more Thais around the world.

Tens of thousands of Eastern Seaboard residents took to the streets to honor HM the King for his 88th birthday at Chonburi’s “Bike for Dad” ride.

Gov. Khomsan Ekachai led about 10,000 locals in the province’s 29-kilometer tour on December 11, which mirrored the main “Bike for Dad” event in Bangkok.

Tens of thousands of Eastern Seaboard residents donned yellow shirts and took to the streets to honor HM the King for his 88th birthday during the kingdom-wide “Bike for Dad” event. The national activities were deemed a huge success, as hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life took part across the country, as did reportedly thousands more Thais around the world. Tens of thousands of Eastern Seaboard residents donned yellow shirts and took to the streets to honor HM the King for his 88th birthday during the kingdom-wide “Bike for Dad” event. The national activities were deemed a huge success, as hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life took part across the country, as did reportedly thousands more Thais around the world.

Chonburi’s route began at the provincial hall and passed eight landmarks, including the King Rama V monument, Hor Pra Buddasinghing, Suan Tan Temple, Meung Mai Temple, Angsila Temple, Tam Nak Maharaj, Komutrattanaram Temple, and Nah Ja Sa Tai Jui Temple.

After leaving the start line, cyclists rode down Partsapetra Road, turning right onto Wachirapakarn Road and right again at the Chonrajsadornamrung School intersection.  The route continued past Angsila, around the S2 Hotel on Bangsaen 1 Road with a rest stop at the Leam Tan zone.  Riders then reversed course and headed back along the same route.

Sattahip Mayor Narong Bungbancherdsri (centre) joins local residents in honoring HM the King prior to participating in a ‘Bike for Dad’ ride on December 9.

Before the ride, the governor led provincial leaders in a merit-making ceremony at Ang Sila Temple in Muang District.

In Sattahip on December 9, about 500 cyclists participated in a local “Bike for Dad” ride in the district.

Mayor Narong Bungbancherdsri led the yellow-shirted delegation from Sattahip City Hall to the Sattahip Market, proceeding through Dongtan Beach Road, doing a U-turn at Luang Chakrinaruebasorn, proceeding to the Sattahip Naval Base and coming back to the starting line.

The mayor said that rather than send riders to Bangkok or the main provincial ride in Chonburi, the city decided to host its own “Bike For Dad” ride as a way to show loyalty and honor to His Majesty.

A colorful bicycle and elephant parade honors HM the King at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden on December 11.

About 1,000 Royal Thai Navy sailors did their own thing, taking a short three-kilometer ride in honor of the “Bike for Dad” event.

Vice Adm. Tanakarn Kraikruan gathered the yellow-clad troops at Prince Chumphon Park and invited any local residents who wanted to join.

At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Sattahip’s Najomtien Sub-district, three 12-year-old elephants rode special bicycles to lead a parade of 88 cyclists and 26 pachyderms in a “Bike for Dad” parade.

Park Director Kampol Tansajja said the participation of elephants in presenting loyalty and love toward HM the King illustrated the long history jumbos have had in protecting the monarchy.

Three 12-year-old elephants ride special bicycles at the head of a ‘Bike for Dad’ parade at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.

Cyclists gather at the naval dockyards in Sattahip.

Volunteer staff were kept busy registering the thousands of cyclists in Chonburi Province.

‘Bike for Dad’ riders wait to get underway in Sattahip.

Bicycles of all shapes and sizes were on show around the region.

Thousands of yellow and blue shirted cyclists line up in Chonburi city centre before the start of their 29-kilometer ‘Bike for Dad’ tour on December 11.