A fleet of 89 jet skis sailed from Toey Ngam Beach in Sattahip to Hua Hin to commemorate the crossing nearly 50 years ago by HM King Bhumibol in a sailboat he himself made.
Privy Councilor Gen. Surayud Chulanont released the jet skiiers from Prince Chumphon Camp on Toey Ngam Beach Dec. 20. The former prime minister was welcomed by Rattana Wongsaroj, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Marine Corps and actor Ple Nakorn Silachai.
Privy Councilor Gen. Surayud Chulanont sounds an air horn to set the jet skiers away.
The navy provided patrol boats, speedboats and a special operations unit to take care of security for the 100km plus voyage.
The project was jointly organized by the navy with JGT Thailand to honor His Majesty’s sailboat building and sailing skills and mark his 88th birthday.
The Thai Navy celebrates the King’s April 19, 1966 crossing each year. On that date, His Majesty made a 16-hour crossing from Klai Kungwon Palace in Hua Hin to the marine base in Sattahip. When he arrived, dressed in full marines’ uniform, he erected a marine flag at Kon Hin Yai, or “big rock,” in the center of Toey Ngam.
Jet skiers set off from Toey Ngam Beach on Dec. 20 to retrace the solo voyage made by His Majesty King Bhumibol in 1966.
