First-Ever Asean Rickshaw Run Finishes In Krabi

JAKARTA, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- After two weeks, 2,500 km, three countries, mountains and rainforests, the 28 teams in the first-ever Asean Rickshaw Run finished their race in Krabi, Thailand on Friday and Saturday. Pioneering new tourism initiative in Southeast Asia since the launch at the Asean Secretariat here on Oct 16, the participants encountered bucketfuls of adventure. Driving intentionally underpowered 175cc Indonesian-built auto-rickshaws, the teams from 12 different countries tackled 2,000 km of Sumatra, crossed the Straits of Malacca, chugged north through Malaysia and the southern part of Thailand, the Asean Secretariat said in a statement, on Monday. In true adventurists’ style, the event was full of mishaps. "One team, The People’s Republic of Sheffield, was chased by a wild orang utan in Sumatra, every single team experienced multiple breakdowns, and at least four had to push their untrusty steeds over the Malaysia-Thai border, much to the surprise and amusement of the border guards," it said. Jenny Hunter, of The Adventurists team, said that in two weeks on the road they "only stayed in three hotels, the rest of the time we were put up by mechanics, police and hospitable families". Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan said the Asean Rickshaw Run would help promote the beauty and connectivity of Asean to the world, and foster close relationships among the participants and the people of Asean they would meet along the journey. Sunday night’s finish celebrations included Muay Thai, a spectacular fireworks show, traditional Thai dance and a feast of Thai food, all in a hotel overlooking the fabulous Andaman Sea and the famous Krabi rock formations. Tom Morgan, founder of The Adventurists, who took part in this inaugural event, said: "There’s nothing I like more than getting stuck, so I was delighted to discover these rickshaws are spectacularly rubbish. "They broke down in the least convenient places, which was perfect. Southeast Asia has delivered us a massive slab of adventuring brilliance." The next event is due to take place in March next year, with the aim of running the event at least twice annually throughout the Asean region. -- BERNAMA