March 25 – 27, 2011
The Mekong River in Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in partnership with the Chiang Saen District Office and the Triathlon Association of Thailand are jointly hosting the Chiang Saen Mekong River International Triathlon 2011 competition to promote sports tourism and foster closer relations among the six member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Multi-Sports Programme: Dualthon, Aquathlon and Triathlon
The Chiang Saen Mekong River International Triathlon 2011 will feature the following contest categories – the Dualthon Asian Championships 2011 (bike and run), the Aquathlon Asian Championships 2011 (swim and run) on March 25, the Buddy Bike Ride and Run Challenge, and the Triathlon Asian Cup on March 27.
Cultural and Social Programme on March 26
In addition to the sports events, there is greater focus on tourism and leisure activities in the programme. This presents an opportunity for participants to spend more time exploring the local attractions and experiencing the local culture.
Various tourism activities planned for March 26 include an elephant ride around the ancient city of Chiang Saen, a visit to the amulet market, and shopping along Chiang Saen's walking street and a grand evening event being jointly hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Chiang Saen District Office by the Mekong River in the district of Chiang Saen. The evening's highlights and entertainment activities will include traditional Lanna or Northern Thai cultural performances, a spectacular light-and-sound multi-media presentation projected onto a water screen and depicting a historical re-enactment of the legend of the Lanna Thai kings of this ancient Northern kingdom, traditional fireworks and a procession of majestic ‘fire boats’ or ruea fai drifting down the river against the dark of night. These illuminated boats are of various shape and forms and depict mythical characters from ancient myth and folklore.
With the consecutive success of the past regional triathlons held in each of Thailand’s gateway cities bordering the Mekong River, the Mekong River Triathlon is attracting participants from countries around Asia and has been designated an annual international sports event and receives recognition and support from the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC).
To offer participants and spectators a change of scenery and an opportunity to see more of the Thai kingdom, the Triathlon Association of Thailand and the organizers believe that it is beneficial for the gateway cities along the length of the Mekong River in Thailand to take turns in hosting the event in rotation. The Mekong River International Triathlon Asian Cup Series and multi-sports Asian Cup Championships were held in Nakhon Phanom in 2005, in Mukdahan in 2006 and 2007, in the northern city of Chiang Rai in 2008, and in the town of Nong Khai, the host venue of the Mekong River International Multi-Sport ITU Asian Cup competition in 2009 and 2010.
With the Mekong River being the twelfth longest river in the world flowing through the six countries of Southeast Asia as it makes its way to the sea, increasing tourism investment is being made in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). The region as a whole is experiencing rapid growth and the regional gateways continue to grow in significance. The hosting of an annual international triathlon and multi-sports event reflects an attempt to develop provincial tourism capabilities so Thailand’s gateway cities bordering the Mekong River can effectively serve as a regional tourism hub and gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Additionally, with the growing trend in a healthy lifestyle and the increasing popularity of international sports events, an added benefit of which is the opportunity to travel to and experience new destinations and cultures in the process, the organizers are confident that sports for health as a theme will extend the scope of the tourism promotion efforts.
Through the Triathlon, Thailand’s gateway cities along the Mekong River hope to attract new audiences such as sports enthusiasts and their families, the media, spectators and tourists.
Domestically, it is hoped that the international sports event will generate increased interest in sports among the general public, particularly youth, and also establish spectator sport as a leisure activity.
EXPLORING THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE:
New Perspectives of Mystical Chiang Saen
Please click to view
Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Rai
448/16 Singhaklai Road, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57000
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 7433, (0) 5374 4674-5
Fax: +66 (0) 5371 7434
E-mail: tatchrai@tat.or.th
Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tourismthailand.org)
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