DIPLOMATS RIDE ALONG AT ‘BIKE FOR DAD’

Envoys praise King, benefits of cycling

Several foreign ambassadors to Thailand joined the “Bike for Dad” event yesterday, praising His Majesty the King for his tremendous dedication to the country.

US ambassador Glyn Davies was among the envoys who participated in the event and he reaffirmed his respect for the King.

Mr Davies said he has had a wonderful time during his three months working here and would stay in the country for a long time.

“America loves King Bhumibol for many reasons. We [American citizens] consider King Bhumibol a ‘son of America’,” Mr Davies said, referring to the King’s birthplace in Massachusetts.

The “Bike for Dad” mass cycling event took place yesterday throughout the country and at smaller events in 66 cities around the world with 9,805 people signing up abroad, according to the Foreign Ministry.

“It is such a good chance to join many people on the streets and discover Bangkok without cars,” French Ambassador Gilles Garachon said before riding his bicycle along the route with other envoys.

British ambassador Mark Kent said the event could help popularise riding bicycles on public roads among the people of Thailand.

“Riding a bicycle is going to be the future because it reduces pollution and traffic jams and it is just simply good for health,” Mr Kent said.

During a media interview, Mr Kent showed off his new bicycle which was recently brought over from Britain.

Chinese ambassador Ning Fukui praised His Majesty the King as a “role model” for citizens of his country.

“Nai Luang [King Bhumibol] is a person whom Chinese people greatly respect,” he said.

Mr Ning recently donated 99 bicycles to the Thai government for the cycling event.

Bangladeshi ambassador Saida Muna Tasneem said, “We [the people of Bangladesh] are with His Majesty and we are praying for his health,” adding that people in her country have great love for the King.

Joining the historic event, newlyappointed South Korean ambassador to Bangkok Noh Kwang-il expected more cycling events to be held in the future and he hoped his family would be able to take part in them.

Indian ambassador Harsh V Shringla, whose tenure at his post in Thailand is scheduled to end early next year, said the “Bike for Dad” event was also held in New Delhi and joined by both Indians and the local Thai community there.

“The Thai ambassador to India Chalit Manityakul led a large group of Thai people for a rehearsal of the ‘Bike for Dad’ event to the India Gate on Dec 5. A lot of Indians also joined them,” he said.

Mr Shringla also described the cycling event as a “momentous and historic occasion” with a huge mobilisation of Thais joining the event nationwide and worldwide.

The foreign ambassadors and diplomats arrived at the Foreign Ministry about 10am for a general check-up for their bicycles before heading out to the Dusit Palace Plaza which was the designated assembly point for the event.

All participating diplomats were later invited to a royal khon performance.

PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL Cyclists spin down the Taksin Bridge after starting the 29km route in the afternoon.

Suthikiati Chirathivat, director and chairman of the executive committee of Post Publishing Plc, waves a national flag at the cyclists.

CHANAT KATANYU Cyclists ride through the heart of Yaowarat with bystanders lining both sides of the road to cheer them on.

SOMCHAI POOMLARD Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha greets bystanders along the bike route near Ratchaprasong intersection.

PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana waves to crowds as she leads a group of cyclists.

APICHIT JINAKUL People on their tricycles get ready for the whistle to blow before setting off on the mass ride.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY Foreign ambassadors cycle along the ‘Bike for Dad’ route at the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday.