Pattaya International Bed Race Championships
Pattay Bed Race attracts loads of competitors
Pattaya has long had the reputation of being a racy resort-town, and never more so than during the annual International Bed Race Championships. Dozens of dozy competitors take part in this horizontal hustle to see who is the fasted man-on-mattress in the Kingdom.
Pattaya City and Rotary Club are organising the annual event’s fourth realisation to support and promote the resort as a family tourist centre, and foster a new sense of unity between locals, expats and visitors. There will be a family fair before the race with many lots of fun games for youngsters.
Those taking part are judged in four categories – speed, beauty, creativity and popularity. Pattaya Mayor Ithipon Khunpluem will one again watch over proceedings. Many civic associations come together for the event which starts outside Central Festival Pattaya on Beach Road. More than 400 million baht has been generated for charity over the previous four years and so organisers are hoping for a good turnout once again.
The imaginative event has caught the attention of many tourists, Thais and foreigners who gather to watch the opening ceremony. Imaginatively decorated bed-on-wheels floats are dragged and pushed through the course with at least one team member lying on top. There is plenty of fun, frolics and good cheer throughout the day.
Pattaya International Bed Race 2011
The day starts with the Parade of Bed Racers and then the actual race itself. Many procedures had to be decided by the organising committee which was comprised of noted local politicians, media sponsors, the TAT and the Rotary Club. Traffic control, safety, security, sanitation were discussed and the trophy presentation ceremony was arranged to be at King Seafood Restaurant on Walking Street.
Event organiser Niels Colov told CBS News: “Pattaya International Bed Race Festival is to show that Pattaya has a lot to offer. It has a lot more than just being a beer bar city where guys come to look for girls and so on. Over the last five years it has become a family destination. More and more families are coming here.”
Participant Steve Sprat also told the news channel: "I feel great, it's the most exercise I've had in years!”
His team mate, Tony Ryan, helped with the coaching and said: "We had plenty of pit-stops this time. We did it in five minutes last time but a few more pit-stops were needed this time. Not a lot of drink was consumed!”
The bed race will be held on January 29, using the route along Pattaya Beach Road, starting in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach Mall then to Walking Street. The event begins early in the day before kicking off properly with the family parade of competitors and then the actual race. The parade will start at 18:00 and the big bed race at 19:00.
Previous events were very successful and generated positive publicity for the city worldwide. Those wanting to take part can still register a team for this year’s event. The registration fee for each bed racing team is 5,000 baht, which can be paid at the office of Pattaya People Media Group, on Soi Day-Night 1, South Pattaya Road. Alternatively contact the Rotary Club of Pattaya on 08-9911-1199 for more information.
