Bangkok--8 Mar--Thana Burin Asia Pacific
Thailand's only fully-integrated communication solutions provider, convergence solutions leader and premier lifestyle enabler True Corporation Plc announced its support for Bike for Peace as it kicks off its trip around Thailand to create awareness for the environment and to provide moral support for the underprivileged and handicapped people who they will meet along the way on this visit.
Bike for Peace headed by Tore Naerland, started their mission at True Tower on Ratchadaphisek Road to bike around Thailand from 6 to 13 March covering several provinces in the Eastern part of the country.
The objective of the bicycle trip is to visit ordinary schools, including those for the handicapped, as well as to strengthen relations between Norway and Thailand, as King Rama V visited Norway for the first time some 100 years ago. The ride in Thailand is also aimed to pay tribute to HM the King for his 80th birthday celebrations.
There are altogether 12 people in the group some of which are blind and deaf. The eldest person in the group is Dr Kristian Bo, a 74-year-old retired staff member of Telecom Asia (former name of True Corporation Plc), whilst the youngest person is Torann Opara, a 5-year-old boy from London.
According to Mr Tore Naerland, Bike for Peace leader, who only has 5 percent vision since he was 15 years old, has also been very active on issues against nuclear weapons around the whole world since 1978, “This is my 3rd time cycling in the Thai kingdom. I like Thailand. Thailand is one of the wonderful countries for people to ride a bicycle. The hospitality of Thai people is so great. We wish European people could explore not only the beaches but also the wonderful countryside of Thailand. There are several venues in Thailand that support handicapped people, and we see Thailand as an ideal country for cross country biking.”
Mr Harald Vik, at 64 years old, is a regular participant in Bike for Peace He was born deaf and became blind 1975. In May 2006 Harald Vik received a special silver medal from the King of Norway for his work as a disabled person both in Norway and internationally. Mr Vik has cycled in more than 45 countries around the world. Not only does he enjoy cycling, but he also enjoys skiing and shooting. He has joined the marathon in New York last year and will compete again this year. Mr Vik does not think that being handicapped is an obstacle as he is still able to communicate with other people through his special cell phone. “People simply send me a message through my cell phone which I will be able read in Braille language. I enjoy exercising and participate in a wide variety of sports including cycling, skiing, shooting etc.”
Dr Ajva Taulananda, Vice Chairman of True Corporation Plc, said “True has continuously supported Dr Kristian Bo with his cycling activities around Thailand for the betterment of the environment and nature. As an organisation that is committed to the development and improvement of the environment as well as support for the underprivileged people, we are delighted to welcome the Bike for Peace group, who will be exploring the beauty of our country through cross country cycling and provide moral support to the underprivileged people in the countryside.”
Caption:
Dr Ajva Taulananda (3rd from right), Vice Chairman and Mr Songtham Phianpattanawit (far right), Managing Director Corporate Solution, Wholesales & Data of True Corporation Plc, are seen with Dr Kristian Bo (far left), former Telecom Asia staff member (former name of True Corporation Plc), Mr Ivar Wigaard, (2nd from left), Mr Harald Vik (3rd from left), and Mr Tore Naerland (2nd from right), Bike for Peace Leader prior to their departure of Bike for Peace in Thailand aimed to provide moral support and create awareness for environmental development for the underprivileged and handicapped people and students.
Editor’s Note:
Bike for Peace is an organization based in Norway that seeks to initiate and develop grassroots concern for the local environment, as well as creating an understanding of the national and global consequences of the actions of individuals, communities and campaigns. The first campaign, run in 1978 in Northern Ireland, was aimed to build peace for the environment, across the division of religion, nation, language and culture. In 1983 Bike for Peace organized a peace ride from Moscow to Oslo, then by plane to New York - Washington D.C. There were 20 people from the ex-Soviet Union and 20 people from Scandinavia and the USA who participated.
In 1999 Bike for Peace organized a worldwide event from Beijing through China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway - 11, 470 kms. The slogan was "No to nuclear weapons, yes to peace and disarmament"
Bike for Peace has had different campaigns for peace and improving the environment, for the rights of the disabled people in some 102 countries.
The purposes of the tours are:
1. Bike for health, happiness and environment
2. Bike for peace and disarmament
3. Bike for human rights
4. Bike for the rights of the disabled
For more information, please contact:
PR Department, True Group
Pimolpan Siriwongwan-ngarm Tel: +66 (0) 2699 2772 Email: [email protected]
Nawanooch Sanpabopit Tel: +66 (0) 2669 2776 Email: [email protected]
Thana Burin Asia Pacific Ltd
Kasemsri K Eufemio(08 1 611 4696) Tel: +66 (0) 2231 6158-9 Email: [email protected]
Angkana Teerapornamornrat(08 1 721 7523) Tel: +66 (0) 2231 6158-9 Email: [email protected]
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net