Pictures: United Thais - Strong Thailand Project “ไทยสามัคคี ไทยเข้มแข็ง”

[Richard Barrow]

They have signs up on the road now saying avoid Sukhumwit Road at the Clock Tower intersection in Samut Prakan. They are estimating 50,000 people to come so it will be absolutely chaos at 6 p.m. We are expecting people to start arriving at about 3.30 p.m. There is no parking at all, so if you are planning on going, make sure that you use public transport. They will apparently have navy ships and other boats on the Chao Phraya River as well. They will also be singing on both sides of the river. This will be live on NBT tonight from 5.50 p.m. and then the national anthem live on every tv channel at 6 p.m.

[Zakk]

I don't interfere with other country political crisis. Do respect to their national anthem. While i was in Thailand when the anthem is being broadcast i will stop eating and just being still. Thought its not part of ours but we still had to respect it. When will it being conduct at Nakhon Si Tammarat.?. I love to feel the atmostphere during the occasion.Can anybody let me know the date?

[Richard Barrow]

Originally Posted by Zakk

When will it being conduct at Nakhon Si Tammarat.?. I love to feel the atmostphere during the occasion.Can anybody let me know the date?

They are doing it alphabetically by Thai letters. You have already missed it by about a month.

[Richard Barrow]

These are some pictures of the city hall plaza area taken about half an hour ago. Hardly any people there at the moment. There seems to be a main stage or platform set up in front of the Amphoe offices. They have a portrait of the King here. The river between the City Hall and Phra Samut Chedi has been cleared of all ships. There used to be two ships moored here almost permanently. These are now moored opposite the Naval Academy. Looks like there are many Thai flags flying in front of Phra Samut Chedi. As far as I understand, people will be singing the national anthem here as well. The chedi is the symbol of the province. I reckon people will start arriving in about two hours. The governor of Samut Prakan will arrive at 5 p.m.







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Samut Prakan Province จังหวัดสมุทรปราการ

[Richard Barrow]

It is just after 3 p.m. and there are apparently hundreds of people there already. The traffic on Sukhumwit is already started to back up. We are not going yet. Way too hot at the moment. Maybe wait another hour.

[Richard Barrow]

I just got back from this really amazing event. There were an estimated 50,000 people there. These first pictures were taken at about 4.30 p.m. about 90 minutes before we went live on national television.



Many more pictures and also the live video to come.

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Samut Prakan Online News

[Betti]

did most people go by themselves or were they "drafted" by their school / office / company / military unit?
for some reason, I find this whole thing rather creepy. and in my mind, so off track for the purpose of "uniting Thailand". like putting a band-aid on a broken arm. just so grateful my school is not into any of this marching, singing, chanting, prostrating etc in unison, apart from the compulsory morning ceremony with flag-raising and national anthem, over in three minutes.

[Richard Barrow]

This first set of pictures were taken before 4.30 p.m. Some people had already been there for over an hour.









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Samut Prakan Online News

[Richard Barrow]

Originally Posted by Betti

did most people go by themselves or were they "drafted" by their school / office / company / military unit?

Letters were sent out to all schools, factories etc. asking them to send at least 300 people. Our school didn't send anyone officially but I saw some students and teachers there. Lots of people were excitedly talking about it. My next door neighbour said he was going. It was quite an amazing atmosphere there. I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

[Richard Barrow]

More pictures of people at City Hall over an hour before the national anthem was due to start.













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Samut Prakan Online News