Report from Thai Bicycle Rally

Author/Origin: Thai Campaign thailand@icbl.org

(Monday 28 April 2003 Bangkok, Thailand)

Thai landmine survivor participating in the bicycle rally. Photo: TCBL

Thirty-four mine survivors including 3 women from 6 Thai-Cambodian provinces (Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, Buriram, Sa Kaeo and Chanthaburi) and 6 from the War Veterans Organization joined in the Bicycle Rally during 22-24 April 2003. The forty Thai survivors, together with another 8 cyclists and 16 organizing team members from TCBL, started the journey from the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) in Bangkok and ended at the Military Artillery Center, Lopburi province, north of Bangkok.

Along the 140 km route, through the range between 25-40 degree celcius temperature, the participants distributed pamphlets to promote the 5th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty which Thailand is to host in September 2003.

The ride was tiring but enjoyable and disaster- free. At the end of the journey on 24 April, the cylists were welcomed by Ms. Atchara Suyanan, the Secretary-General of the Department of the International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with guests from various embassies, international and local organizations. They then witnessed the final stockpile destruction event and congratulated the Royal Thai Government in meeting an important obligation under the Mine Ban Treaty.

TCBL is grateful to the Royal Norwegian Government, the landmine survivors, the Thailand Cycling Club, the Probike Company, the Victory Cycle Company, the Thailand Mine Action Center and various supporters who enabled the success of the activity.