Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana landed at Phuket International Airport at 6:50am, where she was formally welcomed by senior military, police and provincial officials.
The welcoming party was led by Maj Gen Chalermporn Khamkhieo, Deputy Commander of the 4th Army Area and Royal Guard, who presented a briefing to Phuket Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn, joined by his wife, Ms Kusuman, President of the Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society.
Also present were Arunrat Sriphichien, Chief Justice of Region 8; Gen Anothip Poynok, Commander of the 4th Army Region; Vice Adm Weerudom Muangchin, Commander of the 3rd Naval Area; Pol Lt Gen Sittichai Lokanpai, Commander of Region 8 Police; and Phuket International Airport General Manager Monchai Tanode, along with government officials and members of the public who gathered to pay their respects.
At 8:45am, Her Majesty attended an official briefing for the King’s Cup Regatta at the Beyond Kata resort, where she was received by Kevin Whitcraft, Chairman of the Regatta Organising Committee; Adm Pairoj Fuengchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy; Adm Somprasong Nilsamai, President of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage; and Kata Group Resorts founders Pramookpisit and Thanyarat Atchariyachai.
Her Majesty will compete with the ‘Vayu’ team under sail number THA 72 against three boats from Thailand and Australia. As helmsman and navigator, Her Majesty will be responsible for reading wind patterns, making precision manoeuvres and directing the vessel through changing sea conditions.
Her Majesty in previous King’s Cup events has proved herself to be more than a competent sailor. Sailing at this level requires strength, technical skill and close teamwork, particularly in Phuket’s variable December winds.
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, one of Asia’s most renowned sailing events, continues to draw elite competitors from around the region and remains a major highlight of Thailand’s maritime sporting calendar.
This year’s regatta, running from Dec 2-4, will also showcase the ‘Sailfish’ system, an internationally recognised race-tracking tool that will be used at the upcoming SEA Games.