|
Chiangmai Bike Week 2003 - a roaring success?
The bikers all enjoyed it. Residents??
Text and Pictures by Michael Vogt
Living in Chiang Mai, one is used to see many motorcycles
and Vespas, but one rarely has the opportunity to see, and hear, hundreds of
big bikes, such as Harleys and BMWs.
 This
was the usual sight in Chiang Mai during last week’s bike week.
Approximately 600 big ones came to attend the Chiangmai
Bike Week last weekend, plus accompanying entourage, meaning the Missus and
the kids, in side-cars. It even went so far that some riders brought their
bikes to Chiang Mai in a truck, mind you, while the financially well-off
owners arrived by air.
 Chiangmai
Mail’s MD Michael Vogt with members of the Jesters Motorcycle Club, from
Pattaya.
The fun-filled weekend started off at The River Bar on
Saturday night, with bikers from a number of Motor clubs, including Chiang
Mai (the host), Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Malaysia, Singapore,
Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA, in attendance. Great to see with how
much enthusiasm, pride and joy they all were happy to re-unite, and to
compare their newest bikes. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend that
these rough-looking guys are mostly fathers with families, doctors, lawyers,
or entrepreneurs, using these kinds of events as a perfect opportunity to
fully enjoy their hobby - riding, and sharing the fun with others. One
should also not forget that almost all of the bikers have a very, very soft
spot for kids and underprivileged people and regularly support, often very
discreetly without fanfare, a number of charitable causes.
 Thumbs
up after a successful Chiang Mai Bike Week 2003!
The River Bar did all it could to accommodate the hungry
and the thirsty, at times difficult if you plan for 200 and 500 show up, as
was the case. The mood was not spoiled, however, and the evening went well.
On Sunday morning, over 200 bikes went on a scenic tour
of about 220 km towards Phrao District, visiting Bhan Khun Jair, the Foei
Hai village, and Mae Kha Chan, before returning to Chiang Mai. This was
marred by a severe accident where a rider left the road and fell about 80
meters down the mountain. Chiangmai Mail was told the rider was not wearing
a helmet or leathers, despite the helmet slogan adopted for this year’s
Bike Week.
 Erwin
Ruser, BMW’s Motorcycle Manager (center) standing proudly in front of
BMW’s latest cruiser, the R 1200 C Montauk, perfectly hidden by Chalermsak
(left), Marion Vogt (2nd right), and two lovely sales representatives from
VVP Automobiles Chiang Mai.
Party time was at the Imperial Mae Ping’s Beergarden,
where sponsors BMW, Shark Cool Bite, Castrol, the TAT, Thai International
Airways, and AIS had a chance to promote their goods and services. A number
of stalls selling Harley Davidson memorabilia attracted the hard-core
shoppers.
 Mission
accomplished for the North Comets! Ready for a beer, and there will be no
more riding tonight.
The obligatory speeches were short and smooth, Miss Bike
Week 2003 won almost unanimously, and Khun Tuk and his Pop-Rock Band from
the Brasserie did a great job to make up for missing superstars Ad and Lek
Carabao. It must not be forgotten that one of the main objectives of this
years bike week was to raise funds to fight drug suppression and the
organizers were very pleased with the resulting tally.
 Chalermsak
‘Tik’ Suranant, TAT Director, Northern Office, chatting with Chiangmai
Mail’s Marion Vogt.
Yet again, mission accomplished for the organizer, the North Comets, and
their aim to promote safe driving on a motorbike. They can’t do anything
about reckless riding, but they do all they can to encourage the use of
safety helmets and proper clothing. Drink? Don’t drive!
Happy
faces wherever you looked! Everybody knew everyone, and it was a great time
to re-unite and party on.
“My
Daddy said when I am grown up I will get to ride a Harley! And I do what my
Daddy says!”
International primary school soccer competition
Beckham excluded - ruled to be too old
The primary soccer tournament was held at Grace
International School and was played on four different soccer fields. Six
schools were represented, American Pacific International School, Chiang Mai
International School, Grace International, Lanna International School,
Nakorn International School, and Prem International.
 Coach
Minick giving last minute advice to the 5th and 6th grade tiger team
One hundred participants, from Kindergarten to Grade 6,
competed with over 30 games being played on the day. Most teams had been
practicing for two hours daily for two days a week for the last two months.
The coaches from GIS Tigers were helping fathers of
students who played in the tournament. Many parents were sporting tiger
clothing and accessories, provided by the Grace International Booster Club,
and came to watch their children play.
We asked who came up with the GIS Tigers name and Bethany Christian said,
“Tigers have been the school mascot since the first year of Grace. The
mascot was chosen from a list of nominations produced by the student. Other
nominations included Grace Geckos and Grace Lambs!”
Chiang Mai HHH Corner - “On On!”
CH3, the oldest hash club (males) in Chiang Mai is picked
up from the “ONON” pub (Moon Mueng Soi 1) at 16.00 once every 2 weeks.
Pick up can be arranged from Fish and Chips shop as well.
CSH3 is a mixed Saturday hash which is picked up from the
H3 Pub on Moon Mueng Road every Saturday at 15.30. Pick up can be arranged
from Fish and Chips shop as well.
CUMH3 is a male hash which runs from the “ONON” Pub
every consecutive (from CH3) Tuesday. Pick up is at 16.00.
BH3 is a female hash (Harriettes) that runs once a month
on the last Sunday of the month.
All information either from Fish and Chips, H3 or
“ONON” Pub. Or look at the websites at:
http://www.thai-american.com/hhh/
It’s great fun and you surely get value for your money plus you get to
meet all the long-time expats here!
Asian Intercity Tennis Championships at 700 Year Anniversary Stadium
Children with a tennis dream were the winners
Text and photos
Dr. Rebecca Lomax
Last Saturday morning the tennis courts at the 700 Year
Stadium were buzzing with energy and activity. The excitement of a tennis
tournament in progress was everywhere.
 Frank
Weicks from The Rotary Club Chiang Mai West receiving a generous donation on
behalf of the Veteran tennis players for the children in the “Tennis is My
Dream” project.
Chalathip Dunnvattanachit, Tournament Director, and
Nikornkiat Luepasitsakul, Deputy Tournament Director, organized a first
class event that attracted teams from Taipei, Hong Kong, Osaka, Tokyo,
Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Thailand.
We were there to not only enjoy the matches, but also to
sell coffee and pastries to help raise funds for the “Tennis is My
Dream” project for underprivileged children.
This was Thailand’s first time to host the Intercity
Tennis Championships, and the visiting players were as charmed with Chiang
Mai as the sponsors had hoped they would be. “Good friendship, good games,
good food” were words we heard over and over again.
The Public Relations Director, Anchalee Chalayonnawin,
was everywhere encouraging the players and giving out information about the
tournament. Tennis items were on sale at the venue, but the Thai massages
and hot herbal packs available courtside were the highlight for many
players.
With such an amazing number of teams, English was the
common language for the tournament. We scanned the list of teams and were
amazed to find players born in the 1920s listed as active team participants.
Eddy Lee and Ching Wah Lam, both from Hong Kong and both born in 1929, have
been playing tennis for over fifty years. The amazingly wiry and energetic
Chin Siang Chia, born in 1919, offered us a few lessons and advice on
staying active and healthy as we too grow older. We decided to take the
“Eat well and exercise often” advice from the fit and fun 84 year old,
who sprinted back to the courts at the end of our interview.
Retired General Chalongchai and former Thai tennis champion Dr.
Suteerapan both stopped by our booth to chat and make donations to the
children’s program. It was clear to us that tennis had been a ‘lifetime
love’ for each of them, and they were happy to help in some youngsters’
dreams.
Tongkwao Games in Chiang Mai attracts 62 educational institutes next month
Celebrating 40 years of CMU
Chin Rattitamkul
Over 8000 athletes from 62 higher level educational
institutes will join the 31st National Universities Games (‘Tongkwao
Games’), to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Chiang Mai University (CMU)
during January 10-17 next year.
 Mascot
Chang Sabudchai (the Elephant is the symbol of CMU and Chiang Mai, and
Sabudchai Drum means every one aims for victory and harmony).
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nipon Tuwanon, President of CMU, said
that this upcoming competition would not only be an important activity, but
also a promotion for CMU’s 40th anniversary.
Dr. Nipon also said the competition would enable
sportsmen and women to compete for 234 gold medals in 21 sports categories,
included athletics, swimming, basketball, football, volleyball, golf,
fencing, archery, tae-kwan-do, table tennis, badminton, shooting, judo,
rugby, crossword, rowing, chess, Thai fencing, petanque, sepak takraw, and
tennis.
 Logo
of Tongkwao Games, the Butea monosperma or Tongkwao tree, another of the
symbols of CMU.
The main stadium will be the 700 Year Anniversary sports
complex, however some sports such as golf would have to be held at
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s Golf course, Mae Moh
district, Lampang province, because 5 golf courses in Chiang Mai were
already booked due to this being in the high tourist season.
The opening ceremony will be held on January 10, 2004 at
700 Year Anniversary sports complex at 3 p.m. There will be also an opening
football match, followed by the music performance from the University’s
Symphonic Band.
Air chief Marshall General Rangsan Dissabanjong, the representative of
His Majesty the King, will preside over the opening ceremony, and will
strike the victory gong to open the events. The opening ceremony will be
broadcast live via TV3, UBC, Voice of Mass Communication Radio, and Mass
Communication Organization of Thailand networks.
International Tuanku Ja’afar Cup 2003 with selection of two boys from Chiang Mai
The future looks bright for Chiang Mai youth cricket
Linda Buck
The final training session, for selection of boys to play
for the ‘Under 13’ Tuanku Ja’afar Cup 2003, was held at the Gymkhana
Golf Club. The boys will be traveling to Bangkok for this Tournament. Teams
from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, along with the host nation, played
at the Bangkok Polo Club from.
The two boys selected from Chiang Mai, Peerawat ‘Gun’
Duangthip and Yotsakorn ‘ Chai’ Chiaprom made their debut for Thailand.
 The
children from Prince Royal College , one of the many successful groups who
are interested in cricket
The Chiang Mai Schools Cricket Alliance have been working
for the future of these boys and are delighted with, not only the two
selected, but with a number of fringe players hoping for selection to the
next Tournament.
 Peeravat
Duangthip (Gun), Yotsakorn Chiaprom (Chai), Natinan Supartakul (Bank),
Santisuk Ratanachamsakul (Pum) with David Buck explaining the finer points
of batting.
With addition of two ‘Under 15’ Chiang Mai boys
currently playing away in the Tournament in Singapore, this shows that not
only is cricket being welcomed into the schools in Chiang Mai, but also
there is a sense of enjoyment and success being experienced by the students
who are taking part.
 Chai
practising batting!
A special CMSCA development programme is now set up and a squad of
talented players is receiving specialized coaching. These players will
become the basis of future Thailand under age teams. The young cricketers
from Chiang Mai have a very bright future! If you would like further
information regarding the CMSCA please contact Linda Buck on 0 5342101 or
E-mail thaibucks2003 @ch.mai2@loxinfo.co.th
Malaysian car rally to Chiang Mai
The sheer love of driving and love of new places
By Chin Ratitamkul
There are a number of ways to travel to Chiang Mai. Some
by plane, ship, car, and by tour coach, but last week a caravanning group
from Malaysia came to Chiang Mai as these are people who love to travel and
enjoy driving in a group.
 Every
car must follow line astern, following traffic rules and regulations.
Royal Perak Motor Club from Malaysia held the caravan
tour from Malaysia to visit Chiang Mai from December 1-6. Douglas T.F.
Choong, the coordinator, told Chiangmai Mail that he began organizing these
trips to Thailand in 1984.
“We come to Thailand every year because there is
beautiful scenery along the way, as well as many tourist attractions.
Moreover, Thai people are very nice and always gave us a warm welcome,”
Douglas explained.
 Every
car has to follow the tourist police vehicle as a safety precaution
Charlie Tsai Guangjie, the coordinator from Yunnan, said
the important thing about caravan traveling was good communication. Every
car must have a walkie-talkie to exchange information along the trip.
Charlie also added that the travelers had to follow the local traffic rules
and regulations.
“While we are on the way, everyone has to drive in line
astern, so that the safety of all is guaranteed at all times” said
Charlie. “If there is discipline among the drivers, the trips are fun, and
they can spend much more time on fun things.”
Lee Kwan Seng, a 78 year old member of the convoy, added
that it was the first time that he had come to Thailand by car. “It was a
great experience. We can see more things by caravanning,” he said.
Age was not a problems for this trip, because breaks were plenty, to
visit many tourist spots and attractions along the way, and the roads from
the South to the North of Thailand were very good. “I’ll come back again
next year,” Lee concluded.
Chiang Mai to welcome Thailand’s tennis hero
But will Tata be there?
The Paradorn Super Tour 2003 will be held in Thailand
December 16-21, bringing the superstar to Khon Kaen in The Northeast, Chiang Mai
in the North, and Phuket in the South.
 Paradorn
Srichaphan, Thailand’s national hero and the world No. 11 will be in action at
the government tennis courts in Khon Kaen December 16-17, at the 700 Year
Anniversary sports complex (center court) in Chiang Mai December 18-19, and at
Laguna Beach Resort in Phuket December 20-21.
Ticket prices are 200, 600 and 1,000 baht, on sale in Chiang
Mai tel 053 262300-33, shops at Central Airport Plaza, tel 053 281660 or 2231
and S Sport Tel 053 820345, and at Khon Kaen tel 043 325500-14, Barawindsor
promotion area 1st Fl, Fairy Plaza; at Phuket tel 076 249444-58 shops at Ocean
Plaza Pa Tong, Ocean Shopping Mall, and Ocean Bang La, and, and in Bangkok Tel
02204-9999.
For information on the Paradorn Super Tour 2003 Travel
package, contact Bangkok Airways on Tel 02 265 5773-4.
|
