Foreign volunteers from the Father
Ray Foundation.
Derek Franklin
Now in its sixth year, the Pattaya International Bed Race organised by
the Rotary Club of Pattaya and Pattaya City took place on Sunday afternoon, Jan.
26, and more than twenty decorated beds raced along Beach Road.
Gathering in front of Central Festival Beach Road the large crowd of
participants and onlookers were entertained with a song by sensational singing
trio Jasper 3.
The beer drinking competition was won by a tourist from India who surprised
everyone with the speed he emptied his bottle, and teams of racers climbed onto
the stage to introduce themselves again support from the crowd.
The captain of the winning team
kisses the winners trophy.
Following a parade of beds through the streets of Pattaya it
was time for the race to start. In pairs the beds set off for the two kilometer
race from Central Festival to Walking Street, with many finding the course and
the heat too much, but all teams were cheered by the thousands of tourists
lining the road.
Fastest across the finish line was the team from the Father Ray Foundation,
closely followed by the bed sponsored by Seashells Restaurant in London, pushed
by the foreign volunteers at the Foundation, and third fastest was the team from
the Cape Dara Hotel in Naklua.
However, it was not all about who finished first, and the Cape Dara team earned
extra points for the best decorated bed and so where therefore declared overall
champions.
The runner up was the team from the Hard Rock Hotel while the Hilton Hotel
carried the third place trophy home.
As has become a tradition at this event the team from Murphy’s Law finished
last, but if there was a prize for the happiest and loudest team they would
surely win it.
Singing trio, Jasper 3, entertained
the crowd before the race started.
Team Cape Dara may have been third
fastest team, but they earned extra points for the best decorated bed.
The fastest team to cross the finish
line.
The team from the Hilton flew down
Beach Road.
Murphy’s Law, as usual the last team
to cross the finish line.
The beauty queen representing the
Pattaya Expats Club had never travelled along Beach Road so fast.
The Pullman Hotel are always the most
colourful team.
The Runners-up.
