The high-profile event on Sunday, broadcast live by all public television stations, was also an exercise in palace public relations at a time of concern about the royal succession in Thailand.
Roads were closed along the route of what was dubbed “Bike for Mom”, which transformed typically traffic-clogged Bangkok – for a day at least – into a cyclists’ paradise. Among the riders were the prime minister, his cabinet, celebrities and other VIPs. Similar rides took place in other provinces, led by local officials.