Following the press conference in Bangkok on the 13th, the members of the PAN-ASEAN TOURING Thai leg all flew from Bangkok to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand on the 14th. From Chiang Rai International Airport, the team boarded a bus to drive farther north for about one and a half hours to prepare for the start of their tour at the town of Chiang Saen, near where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet in what is called the Golden Triangle.
The morning of the 15th brought the long-awaited start of their tour through Thailand.
An hour before the designated gathering time, the riders were all assembled and wearing the new riding outfits they had received the day before. In front of their hotel stood a neat line of the Spark 135 (T135) machines they would be riding, each bearing the flag of one of the five participating ASEAN countries. The riders found a machine with their country's flag and were soon taking commemorative photos as they waited for the starting time.
At 8:00 a.m. everyone moved to a ceremony site set up near the hotel, and soon they were joined by a big turnout of about 60 riders from the local Yamaha users' club. After commemorative photos were taken in front of the Golden Triangle landmark, the send-off ceremony began.
The ceremony started with words of greeting from the Mayor of Chiang Saen, Mr. Somwang Rungtrakoolchai, and the president of the Chiang Rai "Yamaha dealership SINTANEE," Mr. Teerasak Laohawee. This was followed by attractions including a "Bamboo Dance" and a drum performance called "Glong Sabad Chai," which means drums of victory.
Then at 9:00, the Mayor and other dignitaries waved flags to signal the start of the SPARK 135 PAN-ASEAN TOURING - THAILAND tour that will see the total of 19 Spark 135 (T135) ridden by nine riders from the five participating ASEAN countries and ten support riders cover a planned distance of 3,248 km through Thailand over the coming two weeks.
After the first one and a half hours or so of touring, the Spark 135 (T135) caravan pulled into the village of Bahn Lee Pha a short distance off the main highway.
Awaiting their arrival was a large crowd of villagers in ethnic costume lining both sides of the road and waving flags of the ASEAN countries in greeting. Seeing this welcome, the Malaysian rider Cheong commented, "It was a very special experience to feel the warmth of the people's greeting."
This village was the site of the first of the "Green Campaign" public service project events that are planned to take place during the tour. This time, the project including presenting less fortunate village children with toys such as balls, as well as blankets and medicines for the community. The village's children showed their gratitude with a performance of local dance. Then a group of women performed an old traditional dance and they invited us into the dance circle. Some were hesitant at first, but as we got used to the movement and the warm atmosphere of the moment, everyone joined in and danced with smiles on their faces.
The rider Hardi from Indonesia said afterwards, "It was a great experience, and something that could only be experienced here. The bamboo dance was fascinating."
After lunch the mayor of the village presented the riders with a commemorative gift, photos were taken and then they were back to the road.
Leaving Bahn Lee Pha at about 12:30 in the afternoon, the Spark 135 (T135) caravan made a short stop two hours later for refueling. After that, the riders enjoyed the performance of their Spark 135 (T135) machines on the winding roads of Doi Saket before making another rest stop at 4:00 in the afternoon. Here we met up with the second group of local Yamaha user club riders to welcome us. Together they rode with us out of the hills and down into the city of Chiang Mai.
We arrived at the hotel in Chiang Mai that was today's final destination at about 5:00. Here we received a welcoming present of flower leis from women in traditional costume. At the ensuing welcoming party there were more performances of Thai dance, after which the dancers taught us the movements and had us join in the dancing. The day's schedule ended with some commemorative photo-taking with the user club riders who had accompanied us into town. |
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