Rolling by the river

BUDGET AIRLINE Nok Air kicked off its New Year schedule of cycling and cultural tours by taking eager pedal pushers to the north-eastern city of Nakhom Phanom for a cultural ride it dubbed “Pan Chill Chill Chom View Song Fang Kong Suk Thi Sud Thi Nakhon Phanom.”

“The name comes from a survey conducted by the National Statistical Office in 2012-2013, which found that the residents of Nakhon Phanom are the happiest people in the country,” says Boonyanuth Varnaying, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Phanom Office.

“That happiness comes from the beautiful scenery along the mighty Mekong River as well as our temples, historic houses and buildings. Moreover, Nakhon Phanom boasts the religious sites of Phra That Phanom. We are a melting pot of diverse ethnic cultures and traditions.

“This ‘Tour of Happiness’ is designed to encourage more people to take up cycling while promoting cultural tourism and stimulating the economy,” she adds.

On arrival in town, the more than 60 participants from Bangkok were taken to Chalerm Phrakiat Public Park for a series of warm-up exercises and stretches under the watchful eye of physical therapist Manasawee Santananukarn. 

Then it was time to take to the road on a route that ran parallel with the river towards Wat Mahathat, home to Phra That Nakhon, the second most important pagoda in the province, as well as to a collection of Buddhist and Hindu images. 

From there, the cyclists pedalled to Wat Okat Si Bua Ban to pay their respects to the ancient Buddha statues of Phra Tio and Phra Thiam.

The next stop was Talad Indochine, or Indochina Market, which sells everything from clothes, shoes and bags to food and souvenirs then it was on to the Former Provincial Governor’s Residence Museum, a French colonial-style two-storey mansion was that restored and turned into a museum in 2008. The first floor exhibits items relating to the history of Nakhon Phanom including old photographs and the illuminated boat procession, while the second floor includes the bedroom used by Their Majesties the King and Queen on their visit in 1955.

The last destination is Saint Anna Church Nong Saeng. Established in 1926, the old church was bombed by France during the Indochinese conflict and rebuilt in 1952.