IN ACTION: Laismit led the cycling group of 120 Thais along a 7.5km route in Aspire Zone.

By Anand Holla

Togged in bright yellow blue tees and pumped up on enthusiasm, around 120 Thais in Qatar cycled through the Aspire Zone on Friday morning, in an earnest tribute to the King of Thailand.
The Royal Thai Embassy to the State of Qatar organised the Bike for Dad 2015 at Aspire Zone. At the opening ceremony, Piroon Laismit, ambassador of Thailand to Qatar, led the Thai community in Doha to avow tribute remarks to King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the special occasion of his 88th birthday, which was on December 5.
Qatar was one of the many nations that witnessed the scene of such bicycle processions on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of cyclists in Thailand, and 9,805 Thais in 66 cities in 52 countries across the world took to riding bicycles to express their gratitude, love and loyalty to the King.
In Bangkok, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn led 99,999 cyclists on a 29-kilometre bike ride. Well-wishers were lined along the roadsides while the Crown Prince led the procession chanting “Long Live the King”. The much-revered King’s declining health has become a matter of national concern.
In Doha, at 11am – which coincided with 3pm in Thailand, the time when the cycle processions kicked off there – Laismit led the cycling group of 120 Thais along 7.5km route “to present love, harmony and unity of Thai people in Qatar as an honour to His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Thailand.”
The rare public appearance of the Crown Prince follows a similar event in August for his elderly mother Queen Sirikit. According to the AFP, the mass events, broadcast live on every Thai television channel, have been billed as a chance to promote unity among Thais 18 months after a coup swept away the civilian government – the latest episode in a seemingly endless succession of elections and coups.
The Thai community in Qatar number around 4,000, of which around 1,000 work with Qatar Airways, 2,500 Thais work in construction sector as technicians such as electricians and carpenters and even on the upcoming Doha Metro, and around 500 Thai people work in small and medium enterprises such as Thai restaurants or Thai massage and spa.
There’s never a dearth of occasions for the Thai community to unite, and the Thai Embassy has been actively heralding a host of these events.
In a recent interview with Community, Laismit had said, “Every year, we organise the Songkran festival (Thai New Year) in early April, celebrate Loi Krathong (Thai festival of lights) in November, celebrate Mother’s Day on August 12 to commemorate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Mother of all Thai people, celebrate Father’s Day that falls on December 5, to commemorate the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who is regarded by Thai people as The Soul of the Nation, and hold events such as Thai Bazaar in February, featuring authentic Thai products and open to all.”
Laismit had also mentioned that since most Qataris have been visiting Thailand for years, they know about Thailand, its culture, beaches, food. “They appreciate the country. I introduce myself as the Thai ambassador and they are all smiles,” he had said.