CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 4

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “ Silk Road ” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia ”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City , China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

The following is a daily account of Leslie Chang who is the Singapore representative for the event.

Day 4, Pattaya to Siem Reap 31^st Aug 2012

 

The morning sun shone beautifully as we reluctantly checked out of the hotel in Pattaya.

The road condition of the route leaving Pattaya is relatively good. Hence, Irene chose to drive the first part of the morning sector.

She was driving quite fast but she never failed to slow down and smell the flowers.

 

Thanks to event pre-arrangements.  Little time was wasted at the crossing when we arrived at the border.  As the picture below may suggest, this marks the beginning of our journey in left-hand drive countries.

 

Commuting time from the Poipet Customs to Siem Reap has been drastically reduced since the completion of Cambodia Highway 6 in 2008. The road seems endlessly flat.  Looking out from the rear window of my car, this ‘runway’ is lined by miles of padi fields and blue sky.

 

After our lunch, we took a boat ride and visited Chong Klneas - an unique town floating on the Tonle Sap Lake.  This community consists of several sundry shops, a school and a hospital serving more than 1,000 families.

 

 

Fishing is the main source of livelihood. However, the unusual living conditions have transformed this town into a tourist attraction. There are a couple of floating restaurants to cash in the tourists’ dollars. Unfortunately, the landing area of the restaurants attracts many beggars, both young and old.

Some even gave chase alongside our boat, inviting us to touch their pet (snake) so to earn some money.

 

It is noteworthy that majority of the people living in Chong Klneas are seemingly carefree.

Above all, their children are not spoilt by the latest gadgets.

 

CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 3

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “ Silk Road ” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia ”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City , China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

The following is a daily account of Leslie Chang who is the Singapore representative for the event.

Day 3, Surat Thani to Pattaya 30^th Aug 2012

Yesterday, we spotted this rather foolhardy act along Thailand’s Highway 4.

This morning, we saw another example.  Foolhardy as it may seem but certainly not an easy feat.

 

Today, I decided to take a back seat and let Irene and Ernest do most of the driving.

 

Flower sellers can be seen at most junctions along Thailand main truck roads.

 

Some sellers will even take extra efforts to dress up for the job!

 

The route from Surat Thani to Pattaya took us past the outskirts of Bangkok and ran closely along the Gulf of Siam.  Fortunately, the weather was fine and this picture was taken shortly before the rain poured after we arrived in Pattaya.

 

 

CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 2

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “ Silk Road ” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia ”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City , China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

The following is a daily account of Leslie Chang who is the Singapore representative for the event.

Day 2, Penang to Surat Thani  29^th Aug 2012

We left G Hotel in Penang around 7:30am.  The morning traffic was rather heavy on the island and it took us almost 1 hour to join the North South Highway on the mainland.  All the cars in our group eventually cleared the Malaysian Customs by 10:00am.

After my numerous overland trips to Thailand, I have become familiar with the procedure at the Sadao Customs.  While most participants lined up at the Immigration Booth, ….

 

….I found time to 'sneak out' and patronized a nearby fruit store.

 

There was also time to canvass for more ‘likes’ near the border.

 

After lunch, the TV crew caught up with us.

 

They asked Irene for her impressions about the rally.

 

It is evidently clear that Irene was pleased with the interview (and the event).

 

We arrived at Surat Thani and checked-in the hotel on schedule. And we earned one more‘like’ from this friendly security personnel at the basement car park.

CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 1

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “ Silk Road ” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia ”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City , China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

The following is a daily account of Leslie Chang who is the Singapore representative for the event.

Day 1, Singapore to Penang  28^th Aug 2012

The group had earlier parked their cars at Thistle Hotel in Johor Bahru before crossing the causeway. This morning, they returned from Singapore by coaches to collect their cars.  Together with my co-driver, Irene, and Singapore journalist, Ernest Chua, we drove our Hyundai Tucson 2.7l to join the group at their residence. It was raining but the Durian Party (a last-minute surprise thrown in by past participants from Malaysia) held at the covered car park was very timely in lifting spirits.

The group travelled the North-South Highway at a steady pace and arrived in Penang at almost 8 pm.  This Thailand-registered Toyota Camry came along for the Bangkok-Singapore-Bangkok sector. 

 

Alas, it could not start after lunch due to a flat battery. Some of us attempted to jump start the Camry using different cars and cables, but to no avail.  Then someone approached a worker from a nearby tyre shop. He brought along a new battery and nothing else! The worker simply turned his new battery upside down onto the existing one so that their terminals of both batteries were in contact.

The engine fired up instantly - leaving most of us puzzled as to why even our best efforts couldn't kick start the Camry.  Was it due to the tremendous transfer loss when using the jumper cable? Perhaps it was simply a case of Malaysia Boleh!

The spirit of Malaysia Boleh is much alive as the country prepares for its National Day. A senior citizen is seen here proudly waving his country flag as the entourage drove by.

 

China Asean International Touring Assembly 2012/ Content Page

Daily Reports
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 0
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 1
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 2
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 3
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 4
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 5
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 6
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 7
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 8
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 9
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 10
CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 11

News
CAITA 2012 - Zaobao Publication
CAITA 2012 - 'Biscuit' and His Lens

CAITA 2012 Daily Report - Day 0

Initiated by the state government of Guangxi Province, the primary objective China-Asean International Touring Assembly (CAITA) is to promote the overland connectivity between China and ASEAN countries.  Dubbed as the harmonious modern “ Silk Road ” as well as the “largest, broadest and longest automobile assembly race in Asia ”, it is one of the main events leading to the annual China-ASEAN Summit that will be held in Nanning City , China .  (Official Website of CAITA: http://carally.org/)

The following is a daily account of Leslie Chang who is the Singapore representative for the event.

Day 0, Singapore Marina Circuit 27^th Aug 2012

Singapore is the half-way point and the Featured Country for this CAITA edition. The 125-pax entourage consisting of participants and journalists from China and ASEAN countries has just covered 5,000 km and arrived in Singapore last night.

This afternoon, SMSA organised a Karting Challenge at a main section of next month's F1 track. The visitors had the rare chance to compete against each other under the FIA-approved night lights.

 

The highlight of the evening has be the Dinner Party at F1 Paddock Club Hospitality Suites and the signing of MOU (witnessed by various VIPs including SMSA Patron Dr Lim Wee Kiak)