Phuket gears up for Bike Week 2010

PHUKET: Organizers of Phuket Bike Week 2010 expect the event to generate 200 million baht in tourism revenue from big bike enthusiasts visiting from more than 20 countries.

Organizers and local authorities met with Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop earlier this month to discuss preparations for the event, to be held from April 8 to 11 this year.

Representing the Tourism Authority of Thailand South Region 4 Office in Phuket at the meeting was its deputy director, Nongnit Tengmaneewan.

“This is the second year the TAT has supported the event through public relations support and by encouraging foreign media to attend. This year’s event will be very big, as it has wide support from both government and private-sector organizations that want to promote Phuket tourism. We expect at least 200 million baht to be spent by riders taking part,” she said.

Event organizer Sumon Singkalah told the Gazette that this year’s event, to be held in the run-up to the annual Songkran Festival, will feature a wide variety of attractions, including rock, reggae and ‘songs for life’ concerts by renowned performers, including Carabao.

Already 10,000 rooms have been booked by riders from countries including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, he said.

In addition to rides around the island, other highlights will include all-day big bike exhibitions at Jungceylon and Loma Park from April 9 to 11.

Not to be missed on Saturday, April 10 will be the following events:

2pm: Tattoo contest at Jungceylon, Patong Beach;

4pm: ‘We Love HM The King’ big bike jamboree at Patong Football Field;

6:30pm: Miss Phuket Bike Week 2010 at Jungceylon;

8:30pm: Concert & Beach Party featuring Carabao and Job 2 Do at Loma Park.

For a complete list of events view the Phuket Bike Week 2010 Facebook page by clicking here.

— Atchaa Khamlo