Thongchai Phansawat, president and founder of
the Thai Cycling for Health Association, campaigns to raise awareness about
daily bicycle use.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Academics highlighted the benefits of cycling as the Eastern Bike &
Walk Network met in Pattaya.
Pattaya City Councilman Manoj Nongyai, the president of the club, welcomed
Thongchai Phansawat, president and founder of the Thai Cycling for Health
Association and members of the Phanat Nikhom Bicycle Club to the Jan. 25
meeting attended by about 30 people.
Thongchai spoke on the origin of campaigns to raise awareness about daily
bicycle use, discussing its positive impact on health, medical bills, the
environment and community development.
He noted that the association had been given membership in the European
Cyclists Federation in October, but that Thailand lacked a cycling-centric
city to take advantage of the membership. He advocated starting bicycling
clubs in cities kingdom-wide.
Vichai Kanjanangkulphan, vice president of the Phanat Nikhom club, gave
members an overview of what his group did while Pattaya club members Kusuma
Thaworn and Ajjima Meepring gave examples on how they use their bikes in
daily life.
