Traversing on Thailand’s central and southern regions’ well-paved roads could spell a lot of difference for experienced motorcycle riders who were often exposed to the twisty circuit roads or rough motocross trails. For the Thailand Pan Asean Touring leg, it meant long, long stretches of asphalt and concrete roads that were almost flawless.

As we reached the eighth day of our 15-day touring feat in this country of rich traditions and cultural heritage, we had to battle riding stress and sleepiness. We stood on our Yamaha Spark 135cc, shaking our legs, stretching our arms, rolling our heads and occasionally, taking the throttle handle with our left arm to relieve stress. I even saw my companions from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia knock on their helmets in order to be alert through the 250 to 300 kilometer daily ride.

So far, we have covered a total distance of 2,027 kilometers up to this formerly gold-rich province in Southern Thailand on board the Spark 135cc. The Pan Asean Touring in Thailand will cross 3,248 kilometers and we still have a balance of 1,221 kilometers.

After traveling a distance of 4,500 in Indonesia for the first leg of this event in Nov.19 to Dec. 10, the 18 Spark 135cc, which will be launched in the Philippines in May, are not showing any sign of giving up. The whole Pan Asean Touring will run on 15,000 kms. of roads in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Philippines.

We may be tired and exhausted after eight days of riding but the wonders and mystique of Thailand never failed to amaze us.

Signs show that tourism is a primary backbone of their economy and the Thai people definitely know how to treat tourists with a grand welcome. "Sawadee Krup!" they said in Thai; that means "have a good day."

Our Thai host Sakina Wongamnat has given each participant a Thai name which was clearly announced in welcome ceremonies. My Filipino companion Zandro Fajardo of O.Z. Racing is "Kei Wan" (Sweet Egg) while I am called "Kei Kem" (Salted Egg). I honestly don’t know how she came up with the names.

In the province of Uttaradit, the monument of Phraya Phichai Dap Hak was the scene of another round of grand welcome ceremonies for the group. While in Khon Khaen, Thai Yamaha Motor Co. spearheaded the seeding of fish fingerlings at the Central Park lagoon as part of the event’s Green Campaign.

More than just being fascinated, the participants were also greatly touched when we were given the opportunity to feed the gentle elephants in Ayutthaya. Yamaha Motor Co. officials donated medicines for the elephants. Each of us had a free elephant ride around the Wat Phra Si Saneeth established by King Ranat Hibati in 1448.

Right beside the old structure, the riders were treated to an authentic two-hour Thai massage inside the Khum Khunphaen which was the official residence of Prince Marupongsiripat who also happened to be the former governor of Ayutthaya province.

As part of the tour, the Asian riders visited an average of one Yamaha Square in every major province that we passed through. The Yamaha Square shops showcased Yamaha’s latest fleet of motorcycles – Nouvo 110, Mio 110, X-1 110cc and the Spark 135cc series. Inside each Yamaha Square stores were original Yamaha riding apparel made out of original leather and denim fabric.

Varravuth Pongwitthayaphanu, managing director of Lo Weng Mong Motor, a major dealer of Yamaha motorcycles in Na Korn Pathom province, said that their operations began in 2000 and they have expanded to 32 branches in four neighboring provinces of Kanchaburi, Suphanburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon.

Thailand has a population of some 60 million and the average annual sale of motorcycles reached some 2.5 million.

Na Korn Pathom province is just 56 kilometers from Bangkok and is an agricultural province.

Nothing can be more inspiring than seeing school children welcoming our group upon our arrival at the Prachaub Khiri Khan province. Clad in majestic Thai costumes, 14 pretty grade school girls danced the Rabubrongthong that typified the gold panning activities of their ancestors.

By now, we are moving to the southern most tip of Thailand, to the province of Songkhla. Located near the border of Malaysia, we are scheduled to arrive in Songkhla by January 29 where a big celebration awaits the Pan Asean Yamaha riders.

I cannot forget an incident when we stopped at a gasoline station to take a rest. There we met a couple – Direk Yokanchai, 28, and Samran Bonthasen, 29 — riding a metallic blue Yamaha Spark 135cc. They asked to have their pictures taken with the Pan Asean team.

Yonkanchai and Bonthasen are true-blooded Yamaha riders who own an old version Yamaha two-stroke Spark 135 before they acquired the new models. They bought their Yamaha Spark 135cc two days ago and they were on their way to Lopburi province where they work. They are from Nongkai and they travel 700 kilometers in one day, twice a week for their work in Lopburi, taking their belongings in a small leather saddle bag.

Since then, none of us ever said the word "tired."