Page 143 - -25-0508(ALLs)
P. 143
The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)
On Sunday 16 August 2015, to commemorate the 83 anniversary of Queen Sirikit’s birthday,
rd
the Crown Prince gave 90,000 blue cycling shirts to participants, in addition to 100,000 pins,
drinking water supply, and a mechanic team from the Royal Guard unit to fix bicycles for free.
This Bike for Mom Project received phenomenal response as hundred thousands of people
wearing blue shirts came to bike together while the king led the procession as he biked to and
from Dusit Palace courtyard-Royal Guard unit at the No. 11 Infantry Regiment route for
43 kilometers.
On Friday 11 December 2015, to show their royalty to King Rama IX and to commemorate
the 88 anniversary of the king’s birthday on 5 December 2015, hundred thousands of people
th
biked behind the Crown Prince who led the procession by biking for a distance of 29 kilometers
from Dusit Palace courtyard to places around Bangkok Metropolitan area and back to the court-
yard. There were 918,334 participants in the Bike for Dad project, including 389,171 attendees
to the ceremony and 530,163 bikers. The Crown Prince granted permission to give his personal
drawings and 7 advices about cycling to the organizer of the event “Bike for Dad” so that people
can read from the website “bike for dad 2015” as follows: 1) clear the mind with faith and
good attitude for dads and fellow countrymen; 2) check physical fitness and prepare your body
for the event; 3) have enough rest; 4) learn and practice the skills of biking properly;
5) inspect bicycle and supporting equipment; 6) study and learn the traffic regulations and
rules as well as the route; and 7) bike with safety along with healthy body and mind.
These projects have demonstrated the king’s concern of his people’s well being since he was
the Crown Prince. (Manager Online, 2016)
Other royal initiative projects for the advancement of medicine and public health
in Thailand
There are additional important royal initiative projects supervised by Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn and Professor Dr. Princess Chulabhorn that play a role in the advancement of medicine
and public health in Thailand in various dimensions as follows.
Saijaithai Foundation under the Royal Patronage
From a young age, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been excelled considerably in
many aspects including medicine and public health by accompanying King Rama IX on his royal
tours of the country. When the princess was 20 on 2 April 1975, Their Majesties King Rama IX
and the Queen Sirikit invited soldiers, policemen, and volunteers who got injured from their
duties to protect the country and were under treatment at Phramongkutklao hospital, Police
136
7/7/2568 BE 15:17
-25-0508(001)P5.indd 136 7/7/2568 BE 15:17
-25-0508(001)P5.indd 136

