Members of the public who have signed up to join the “Bike UnAiRak” bicycle ride on December 9 will each receive a yellow T-shirt designed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The front of the short-sleeve T-shirts carries a message “River of Rattanakosin”and the back features cartoon drawings by HM King with his autograph.

In Bangkok on December 9, the King, accompanied by HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha and HRH Princess Sirivannavari, will lead the 39-km bike ride at 3 pm from the starting point at the Royal Plaza to the destination at Lat Pho health park in Pha Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan.

The 39-km bike route will provide an eye-opener for participating cyclists to observe several canals along the route, particularly Klong Lat Pho which was excavated as a shortcut to bypass the Chao Phraya river.  Over the years, however, the canal became shallow and caused flooding in adjacent areas.  The late HM King Bhumibol initiated a flood-gate project at the canal to help alleviate flooding in Bangkok and its vicinity by draining water into the sea.

For the provinces, the bike ride will be led by the governor of each province and the bike route is independently designated by each of the provinces.  The event will start simultaneously at 3 pm across the country.

All governors will receive the T-shirts in Bangkok on November 28 for distribution to cyclists on December 1-2 whereas in Bangkok, cyclists who have signed up can receive the shirts at the National Stadium.

Several tens of thousands cycling enthusiasts have signed up to join the festive event.

On December 9, parking spaces will be available for cyclists joining the bike riding event at the Royal Turf Club, the Highways Department, the Science Ministry, Sanam Luang, the Government Lottery Office, the Navy club, the Naval Dockyard, the Malll Bangkhae and etc.