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.
(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.
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.
