THAI TUK TUK TO CIRCLE THE WORLD -- AGAIN!

The famous Thai 'Tuk Tuk', the traditional three-wheeled taxi and one of Thailand's most unique attractions, will once again be making an "Amazing Thailand" appearance in key cities around the world.

At the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue office, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Mr. Patpong Abhijatapong presided over the launching ceremony of “Tuk Tuk around the World”, a year-long tuk tuk journey to be undertaken from Bangkok to Miami by 36-year old Belgian Axel Ewbank.

Like the first such journey in 1996, the aim of this one will also be to give the world a taste of "Amazing Thailand" and generate maximum publicity for the creative marketing campaigns that have made Thailand such an attractive visitor destination.

Powered by a 500 cc engine, the tuk tuk will begin the tour with an eight-week trip through various Thai provinces including Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Loei, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Nong Khai. Then, it will spend two weeks in Lao PDR, eight weeks in Kunming and Beijing in China and five weeks in Russia.

A three-week shipping time has been allotted to make the crossover from Russia to Alaska after which the trip will continue with three weeks in Alaska, three weeks in British Columbia and eastern Canada, eight weeks on the US West Coast with stops in Seattle and Los Angeles, followed by a final six weeks covering New York and the US East Coast. Arrival in Miami is scheduled for September 5, 2001, exactly one year after departure from Bangkok.

For Mr Ewbank, "Tuk Tuk Around The World" will be his second attempt around the world in the three-wheeler.

Captivated by the unique charm of the Thai tuk tuk, he proposed the concept to TAT for consideration in 1995. In 1996, he completed his first TAT-sponsored trip "See The World in a Thai Tuk Tuk" -- covering a distance of 50,000 kms from Los Angeles to Brussels in nine months.

That trip, with the Amazing Thailand logo prominently featured on the body of the tuk tuk, caused quite a sensation and turned out to be a very effective promotional tool for Amazing Thailand, drawing extensive PR coverage for Thailand in each of the cities along the route.

TAT Deputy Governor Patpong commented, “We hope that this Tuk Tuk around the World campaign will repeat the success of the first venture and again generate significant publicity mileage for visiting the Kingdom.”

He said special arrangements have been made by TAT to facilitate cross-border travel.

This time, the power of the Internet will be used to generate further publicity for the trip; updated news and information on its progress will be posted on a dedicated web site: www.TukTuk-Thailand-USA.com. A tuk-tuk newsletter will also provide updates and reports.