HM greets F1 Star Webber ahead of event
By Onravee Tangmeesang
The Nation 2010-12-18Mark Webber may have spent much of his life in the fast lane, but time must have stood still for a while yesterday for the Formula One racer.
"Good luck for next year," His Majesty the King, making yet another rare public appearance, told Webber as the monarch came down from his hospital room to view the Red Bull Racing team's Formula One car on display at Siriraj Hospital.
The Australian also presented to the King a model F1 car.
Chalerm Yoovidhya, chairman of Red Bull Company in London, revealed that the King showed keen interest while viewing the car.
"We learned that HM the King has interest in Formula One racing. So we asked for permission to bring the car for him to view at close quarters.
"He asked about the competition and wanted to know the power of the car's engine," Chalerm said.
Webber will drive the car along Rajdamnoen Avenue this afternoon in the "Street of Kings Rajdamnoen Red Bull Bangkok 2010" show, which is expected to draw huge crowds.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana will preside over the event. Red Bull and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) jointly organised it.
The event will comprise three parts.
The first part will be a parade of jazz music in honour of the beloved monarch, who himself has musical talent. Renowned jazz musician Sekpol Ounsamran, widely known as Mr Saxman, will lead the parade.
The second part features the Red Bull Best Wishes to the King. In this part are heartthrobs "Dome" Pakorn Lam and Ananda Everingham.
The third part includes a show run by Webber and Red Bull Drift Team Thailand. Actresses Patcharapa Chaichua and Sherman Boonyasak will be in the show too.
Having touched down in the capital early yesterday, Webber, along with Red Bull team officials, began the day by visiting Siriraj Hospital to sign a well-wishing book to HM the King. The presence of the Australian driver, who finished in the third spot in the recent World Driver's Championship season, attracted huge interest at the hospital, with fans scrambling for his photo and signature. Webber's team-mate Sebastian Vettel won the championship, while Red Bull itself won the Constructor's Championship.
The Red Bull team then returned to the Dusit Thani Hotel for a welcome lunch hosted by Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra. At the table, they were joined by Chalerm and Saravoot Yoovidhya, managing director of Red Bull Beverage.
Webber, 34, spoke of his pleasure at taking part in the event when the country was still celebrating of the King's birthday.
"It was a pleasure for me to be here and an exciting opportunity for myself and the team. I appreciate the work of everyone involved in making the historic event happen.
"I'm very excited about driving the car on the streets here tomorrow and would like to invite everyone to have a look."
The Street of Kings Rajdamnoen Red Bull Bangkok 2010 event is held to celebrate HM the King's birthday as well as to enhance Bangkok's image, showing people around the world that Thailand has returned to being a peaceful country.
With Bangkok hit by unseasonable rains during the week, the Australian dismissed the concern that the weather might ruin the event by confirming that the car was tuned to run under any condition. There was more good news for local fans after the organisers decided to increase the number of laps Webber would drive the car from two to four.
People can enjoy the show free of charge.
"The show run will stretch along Rajdamnoen Avenue to the Democracy Monument," Sukhumbhand said.
He believes the show will bolster Bangkok's image and boost the city's tourism.
Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Maj-General Panu Kerdlarpphon yesterday said many roads would be closed to traffic for the event between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
He also urged people to use public transport if they wanted to see the show because parking space was very limited.
Metropolitan Police Division 6 deputy commander Colonel Wanlop Prathummuang said more than 100 policemen would be deployed to facilitate traffic flow and ensure safety at the event.
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