Travel news - Activities in Thailand

Bikers in leukemia and tsunami fund-raiser

Christopher Byrd once had leukemia, but he was more fortunate than others. He survived to lead a normal life. Last year he left Khao Lak eight days before the tsunami hit southern Thailand .

You may say he was in luck. Now he wants to use his luck to do something for others less fortunate.

Mr Byrd operates Tour de Asia Bicycle. He is inviting bikers to join a charity tour, "Sangsom Tour de Thailand 2005", his company is putting together December 2-26 from Chiang Mai to Phuket, a distance of 2,000 kilometres, to raise funds for Max Foundation for leukemia patients, and the North Andaman Tsunami Relief, a trust set up to assist families devastated by the killer wave.

The tour will be divided into four legs and organisers are hoping to attract 200 international and local bikers for the 25-day event.

The company will provide all the necessary logistics and arrange for accommodation, food and so forth.

Apart from being a noble cause, for participating bikers, it's a good opportunity to experience different parts of the country and its people from close range.

The tour has received support from Sangsom whiskey, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, DTAC, Image Impact, Thailand Bicycling Association and provincial governors.

Being held for the third year running, bikers have the choice to join the full tour or enter one or more legs of the rally, as they deem convenient.

Local bikers are encouraged to join the event: for them the entry fee is 300 baht, for which they get a tour jersey in return.

Here is the tour schedule:

December 2: Chiang Mai city to tambon Chom Thong, distance 70 kilometres.

December 5: Tak to Sukhothai, 83 kilometres.

December 12: Ayutthaya to Suphan Buri, 69 kilometres.

December 26: Khao Lak, Phangnga to Patong Beach , Phuket, 122 kilometres.

For more information visit www.tourde thailand.com.

During the tour TAT will host special welcome receptions for participants in Sukhothai, Phetchaburi, Hua Hin and Surat Thani, backed by cultural shows and culinary demonstrations.

Bikers arrive at Phuket's Patong Beach , the finish point of the charity tour, on December 26 which has been designated the Tsunami Anniversary Memorial Day. There the organisers will deliver toys, books, clothing and financial aid to the North Andaman Tsunami Relief trust.

Mr Santichai Euchongprasit, a deputy TAT governor, said the rally showed how travel habits of people have changed over the years. Instead of going for the standard sightseeing tours in air-conditioned coaches, now they are looking for something more.

"They are interactive travellers," he noted.

As for the safety of participants, Mr Byrd, who has organised similar events in the US , said he has received assurances of support and cooperation from Highways Police, provincial governors and hospitals enroute.

A team of medics will also be accompanying cyclists on the tour.
Bangkok Post November 2005 www.bangkokpost.com