Life in the slow lane

“SLOW LIFE SLOW RIDE”, |the popular series of cycling trips that offer intimate and safe rides through undiscovered communities countrywide is back for a second year with more destinations and the chance to stop in several areas visited by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during his lifetime.

“Last year, we had five but this year we have increased the number to 12 destinations. Every destination has its unique identity,” says Nongnat Hanwilai, senior vice president of National Broadcasting Corporation, during the recent press conference at the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s head office.
This bicycle trips will head to the 12 provinces targeted in the TAT’s “12 Cities … You Can’t Say No” project that runs for two years and is designed to boost local tourism. The new activity also aims to promote sustainable tourism and raise environmental awareness. Tourists, local and foreign, are being actively encouraged to take to the road on two wheels.

“Riding a bike can save the world from some of the effects of climate change as well as improve our health. We are campaigning in parallel with the TAT’s ‘Bike for Health’ campaign,” says Nongnat.
“We are promoting bike tourism and encouraging domestic and international tourists to enjoy the slow life, to experience the ways of life of local communities and protect the environment. The ‘12 Cities … You Can’t Say No’ project has been very successful and attracted more than 30 million tourists. ‘Slow Life Slow Ride’ is about taking a leisurely ride with a group of cyclists to the destinations that His Majesty the late King visited. We have launched ‘70 Routes in His Majesty’s Footsteps’ in commemoration of the benevolence of late King, which take in many royal projects. These 12 hidden cities are also home to royal projects,” adds Sujitra Jongchansitto, deputy governor for domestic marketing of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

This year’s series kicks off in Lampang tomorrow and will take cyclists to Baan Pong Nak and the 32nd Army Military Circle, Surasak Montri Camp. Next up are visits to Wat Phumin and the National Museum in Nan on February 19; to Huai Nam Man Reservoir in Loei on March 19; to Khao Chong Botanical Park and Kachong Waterfall in Trang on April 9; and to the Ao Khung Kraben Development Study Centre in Chanthaburi on April 30.
The schedule also covers Wat Pailom in Trat on May 28; Wat Petch Wararam in Phetchabun on June 18; the Nongpho Ratchaburi Dairy Cooperative in Ratchaburi on July 16; the Pak Phanang Basin Area Development Project in Nakhon Si Thammarat on July 30; Ban Sanuan Nok, a Thai silk village in Buri Ram, on August 20; the Nong Yai Area Development Project in Chumphon on September 10; and Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram in Samut Songkhram on September 24.
“Our intention to create something good for society and the world while stressing the importance of environmental and cultural preservation,” says Yasushi Moriyama, managing director of Mitsubishi Electric Kang Yong Watana, the series’ main sponsor.
“We demonstrate our environmental vision through a policy known as ‘Eco Changes’. We consider the development of products that save energy, can be recycled and are eco-friendly. As we mark our 45th anniversary, we have a new campaign, titled ‘Cooling Is Happiness’, which is related to this activity.”
Cyclists can also win prizes for taking selfies that show the destination HM the late King visited and his royal projects. Post the photos along with a brief narration to the Facebook fanpage SlowLifeBikeTrip using the hashtag #SlowLifeBikeTrip.

On Your Bikes
- To take part in the “Slow Life Slow Bike” campaign, register well in advance at www.NationTV.tv/ slowlifebiketrip or Facebook.com/slowlifebiketrip.