The flotilla will comprise the entire Phuket commercial fishing fleet, Rear Admiral Charoenpol Koomrasee of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, explained at a meeting at the Navy base at Cape Panwa yesterday (Nov 10).
“The first group will be led by RTN Tor 113 and 21 fishing vessels. The second group will have two Navy ships and nine fishing vessels. The last group will consist of Marine Police boat Tor 814 and 21 fishing vessels,” he said.
Local yachts will also join the sail-past, he added.
“The ships and yachts will all be decorated with the Thai national flag and adorned with lights,” R/Admiral Charoenpol said.
More than 20 drones will be capturing images and video of the event, said Butsaya Jaipiem, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Public Relations Department.
“More than 20,000 people are expected to be at Phromthep cape to take part of this special event,” she added.
The event, announced by Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan last week, will start at 3pm and include a mass candle-lighting ceremony and mass singing of the country’s National Anthem and Royal Anthem. (See story here.)
Three public areas near Laem Phromthep, will be sectioned off and dedicated for parking, said Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Thawornwat Kongkaew.
“If you are coming to the event as a group, please park at the designated parking areas, which will have free shuttle buses to pick you up and take you to Laem Phromthep, and drop you off back at the car park after the event,” he said.
“There will be three areas parking for cars: the football field near Laem Phromthep; at Nai Harn Lake, and in Promthep Soi 1 and Soi 3. Two areas will be dedicated for motorbikes: at Pak Bang Beach (at the western end of Rawai Beach) and another at Yanui Beach,” Mr Thawornwat explained.
“Nontasak Marine will also provide additional parking at their car park covering six rai on Wiset Rd, which will accommodate 300 to 400 vehicles and the company also will provide a shuttle bus to take people to the cape,” Mr Thawornwat said.
Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen added, “Police officers will be on hand at the parking areas and along all roads to Laem Phromthep to assist people with traffic and directions.
“I would like everyone to cooperate with officers so everything will go smoothly. Do not park on the side of the road please, because if you do your car will be towed away,” he warned.