(L to R) Pol. Col. Somnuk
Changate, former mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Burapha Motorcycle
Club President Prasan Nikaji meet with city officials (not shown) to
discuss the upcoming Burapha Bike Week.
Warunya Thongrod
Preparations are complete for the annual Burapha Bike Week as it
prepares to roll again into the National Indoor Sports Stadium in
Jomtien Beach Feb. 14-15.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Permanent Secretary Pakorn
Sukhonthachat met with former mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Burapha
Motorcycle Club President Prasan Nikaji Jan. 28 to check on final city
plans for lights, restrooms, garbage bins and traffic routes.
Pattaya has coordinated to have 10 civil-defense volunteers, 10 police
inspectors, five Huay Yai station traffic police officers and
approximately 400 volunteers from the bike club to manage traffic.
Those attending the event can use express routes to enter the event at
either the Thungklom-Tanhan or Huay Yai intersections to reduce the
number of cars passing through Sukhumvit Road.
Acting Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome planned to attend the opening
ceremony where 200 fireworks will be set off.
Patrons can also enjoy concerts from Micro, Tom Dandee and other leading
artists. There will also be cowboy, para-motor, off-road, parachuting,
and extreme sports shows. Booths will sell bikes, parts, security
systems and other items.
Organizers have contracted with the Sawang Boriboon Foundation and
Pattaya Hospital to provide first aid and three ambulances on standby.
Pakorn said he hopes to alleviate traffic problems by
reserving three lanes of Soi Chaiyapruek 2 for vehicles entering the
event from 6-10 p.m., with one lane left open for those leaving. After
10 p.m., the lanes will be reversed, with three lanes given to traffic
exiting to Sukhumvit Road. Traffic police will be stationed at Soi Khao
Noi so cars can take a left to enter Soi Chaiyapruek 2.
As usual, the two-day bike “week” will feature a “drive for peace” with
10,000 motorcyclists rolling through Pattaya for charity and to raise
awareness about the need to wear helmets.
Prasan said Drive for Peace, in its 17th year, is one of the top events
in the world biker community and anchors a Thai celebration that also
includes thousands of glider and remote-controlled aircraft enthusiasts,
vintage car buffs and audiophiles as well as bike aficionados.
Bikers will start at the event venue, turn right toward Sukhumvit and
proceed north through the Thepprasit intersection, turning east on North
Road. Riders continue down through the Dolphin Roundabout, down Beach
Road to Bali Hai Pier and into Jomtien Beach and back to Soi Chaiyapruek
2.
