Bike Week off to a roaring start

PHUKET: About 200 bikers rumbled around Phuket today as part of the 8th annual Phuket Bike Week. Hundreds of big bike enthusiasts from all over the country and from overseas have been arriving over the past few days for the six-day festival in Phuket. Yesterday evening, Rat-U-Thit 200 Phi Rd in Patong was jammed with big bikes for a welcome party at Nicky’s Handlebar. This morning, about 200 bikers – including the Mayor of Patong, Surasak Maneesri, who is also chairman of the event – rode in a “poker run” around Phuket. The convoy started off from Patong at 11 a.m. and made a stop at Friendship Beach in Rawai, the original home of Bike Week, before heading north to Nai Thon Beach. Bikers are expected to roll back into Patong for a beach party at Sanaam Kamonland field at the north end of Thaweewong Rd. Tonight’s party will feature bike shows, games, and a performance by students of Sai Nam Yen School. There will also be live music from the bands of the Timber Hut and Jammin’ pubs, as well as a performance by the Meltsnow band of Singapore. Tomorrow, there will be an official grand opening ceremony at 8:30 pm, also at Sanaam Kamonland field. About 1,000 bikers are expected to be involved.