Elsewhere in Thailand, provincial organisations staged their own versions of the Bangkok bike ride and 255,000 officially registered their participation. Organisers say that although a total of 295,000 pre-registered for Bike for Mom lots of people turned up who had not registered and the total was probably closer to 400,000.
After analysing the way the rally was staged, Guinness World Records says it can count 146,000 cyclists which far exceeds the previous record of 70,000 held by Taiwan. Guinness states in its rules that cyclists have to depart concurrently nationwide and then not stop pedalling for four kilometres to qualify.
Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, were at the front of the convoy as it left Bangkok’s Royal Plaza at 15:00 yesterday. A Bangkok Post photographer snapped the prince as he tooted a horn to signal the start of the event.
Prayut Chan-o-cha, the country’s prime-minister, was accompanied by several members of the cabinet in addition to current and former MPs on the rally. A number of foreign tourists also cycled in the rally with one saying he was happy to support the monarchy and benefit his health at the same time.
Bike for Mom rally a Guinness world record
News in Asia
Almost 300,000 cyclists participated in a rally in Thailand yesterday in honour of Queen Sirikit’s birthday. Bike for Mom was staged in homage to the queen’s 83rd birthday. Her son, Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, led 40,000 of the cyclists on a 43km circuit through the streets of the capital city of Bangkok.