Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Asean Family Rally 2009 - Day 4

Thailand has assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN since July 2008. To foster closer relationship and tourism cooperation with its ASEAN neighbours, Thailand hosted the ASEAN Family Rally (AFR).


The following photo essay provides a summary of Day 4 (3rd Mar 09).


At 0930 hours, we took this photo with departing participants from Team Malaysia at the lobby of JB Hotel in Hatyai. Standing in the middle is our host, Mr. Tuanchai Lamoonswang (General Inspector, Office of the Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sport, Ministry of Tourism and Sport)


Again, we had the privilege of the Thai Police escorting our convoy. Thus, we were able to arrive at the border crossing in Sadao rather quickly.


The media were waiting for us at the Thai CIQ premises. Of course, we had kind words for our host.


And it appeared that we were thanking them (our host) eternally.


It was indeed an honour to have the chief of this CIQ unit bidding us goodbye.


Here’s Khun Jeab (extreme left), our Thai coordinator together with her bosses from the tourism office waving to us as we approached the border gate. Who wouldn’t long for more of such warm and friendly Thai hospitality?


We re-entered Malaysia and made a stop the peninsula’s northern most R&R (Gurun) for this poster shot.


After a quick lunch, David Wong (our Chairman from Car # 2) is seen here doing a radio check with the drivers of the two other Porsches (Car # 3 & 4).


They separated from the convoy at Gurun R&R and did a home run. Peter and Cathryn (Car # 7) also decided to skip Kuala Lumpur and headed home.


The rest of the convoy drove southwards at a leisurely pace. We were slowed several times by very heavy downpour.


Our entry into Kuala Lumpur was further delayed by the massive floods as reported in the following day’s newspaper.

As the result, we had our dinner rather late. Then, Neo Chian and his wife treated us to this karaoke party. With a decent working mic, Poh Heng wasted no time to prove that his vocal was dynamic, clear and indeed audible.


Well, that’s a happy ending to another great event.