Kowsurat, celebrities to host aircraft reef festivities

LAYAN BEACH: Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat and several Thai TV celebrities on Monday will lead activities to mark the sinking of 10 decommissioned military aircraft to form an artificial reef.

Although sinking of the aircraft began today, Monday was chosen as the final day because it is Coronation Day, a public holiday marking HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s ascension to the throne.

The aircraft – nicknamed the “Coral Reef Squadron” – will be sunk about a kilometer offshore in Bang Tao Bay, creating what organizers hope will become the largest artificial reef in Thailand.

The Coral Reef Squadron comprises four stripped-down and specially prepared Douglas C-47 Dakota Skytrain military transport aircraft and six Sikorsky S-58T helicopters.

From 9 am to 10 am on Monday, K. Weerasak will join representatives from the many agencies and organizations involved in greeting the public at Layan Beach.

At 10:05 am, Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit will deliver a speech, after which a Buddhist blessing ceremony will be held.

K. Weerasak will officially open the ceremony at 10.50 am before joining the press aboard a vessel to watch the sinking operation firsthand.

K. Weerasak is scheduled to press the button to release the last aircraft into the ocean at 11.25 am.

Thai actors Dom Hetrakul and Vorarit “Not” Fuangaromya will be the emcees throughout the event.

At 1 pm, Thai actor Teerapat “Tui” Satjakul and actress Kathaleeya “Mam” McIntosh will take the plunge and become the first guests to dive among the wrecks.

They are due to return to shore by 3 pm, before the ceremony is declared closed at 4 pm.