A fleet of 40 jet skis sprinted from Toey Ngam Beach in Sattahip to Hua Hin to commemorate the crossing 47 years ago by HM the King in a sailboat he himself made.
Royal Thai Marines Chief of Staff Rear Adm. Pongsak Thawee Phikulthong opened the event at Prince Chumphon Camp. About 500 people turned out to watch and participate in the 220 km. trek June 9.
A fleet of 40 jet skis make their way across the Gulf of Thailand to commemorate the crossing 47 years ago by HM the King in a sailboat he himself made.
Co-sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and X-Gen Co., the event – normally held at the end of April – saw the Navy supply patrol boats, support craft and medical units to support the riders.
The Thai Navy generally celebrates the King’s April 19, 1966 crossing each year. On that date, HM the King made a 14-hour crossing from Klai Kangwol Palace in Hua Hin to the marine base in Sattahip. When he arrived, dressed in full marines uniform, the King erected a marine flag at Kon Hin Yai, or “big rock,” in the center of Toey Ngam.
Some of the proceeds from the event will go to the Namjai Thai fund for the fallen soldiers in Thailand’s restive south and to promote marine tourism.
