Roads closed in Bangkok for ‘Bike for Mom’ as prime minister and celebrities cycle through city to mark 83rd birthday of Queen Sirikit
Thailand’s crown prince has led thousands of cyclists through the streets of the capital in a tribute to his mother, Queen Sirikit, to mark her 83rd birthday.
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.