With Thailand ripped apart along color-coded lines, the Burapha Motorcycle Club is hoping to sew a little harmony with its annual “Ride for Peace.”
The highlight event of the Feb. 14-15 Burapha Bike Week, the 17th Ride for Peace could see 10,000 motorcyclists rolling through Pattaya for charity and to raise awareness about the need to wear helmets and obey traffic laws.
Bikers will start at the Soi Chaiyapruek 2 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.
(L to R) Auttaphol Wannakij, director of TAT Pattaya Office, Pol. Col. Supachai Phuikaewkhum, superintendent of Pattaya station, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Theeraporn Jitnawa, manager of Central Festival Pattaya Beach, Pol. Col. Somnuk Changate, superintendent of Nongprue station, and Prasan Nikaji, president of Burapa Motorcycle Club, announcing details of the Burapa Pattaya Bike Week 2014 at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
“Apart from stimulating Pattaya tourism, we will use this event to lead a campaign in safe driving, particularly, with teenagers,” Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said at the latest Bike Week press conference Feb. 6. “We also believe that these kinds of events will stimulate tourist activities, thus, exposing Pattaya’s ability to access all lifestyles for tourists.”
The Ride for Peace 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. Patrons can also enjoy concerts from Micro, Tom Dandee and other leading artists. There will also be cowboy, paramotor, off-road, parachuting, and extreme sports shows. Booths will sell bikes, parts, security systems and other items.
Officials hope 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 the Soi Khao Noi so cars can take a left to enter Soi Chaiyapruek 2.
