The Heritage Race, which was run in Singapore in 2014 and 2015, will travel to Bangkok on November 29.
A travel industry-led event created to uncover local stories about places and to raise funds for good causes, the Bangkok Heritage Race is organised by local travel industry volunteers and WIT, and sponsored by Accor Plus.
The inaugural Bangkok race will focus on uncovering heritage stories along the famous Chao Phraya River. The trail is curated by Asian Oasis, owner and operator of unique experiences in Thailand, and Local Alike, an online marketplace for community tourism.
Local start-up Coin Back, which encourages travellers to donate loose change through a “smart” donation machine, will provide the link between the race and the beneficiary of funds raised, Goodwill Group Foundation.
Participants in the Heritage Race Singapore taking part in making “teh tarik” (milk tea).
The first two races in Singapore, organised jointly with Ramada-Days Inn Hotel at Zhongshan Park, raised a total of S$26,000 for the Lee Ah Mooi Old Aged Home.
“As travellers, we all know the famous Chao Phya River but do we really know the history behind it and had a chance to discover and learn about the local places dotted along its path?” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of WIT, a Singapore-based news and events platform focused on travel and technology.
“With this race, curated by experts on the ground, we will uncover local secrets plus raise funds for a good cause and that’s what this event is all about – it will be a great team-building event for travel companies and a fun day out for travellers and locals in Bangkok.”
Said Chananya Phataraprasit, founder & CEO of Asian Oasis, “The Bangkok Heritage Race will centre on historical places in the old quarter of Bangkok. Most of the people in this area have been living here for generations and continue their family businesses.”
Dino Mezzatesta, CEO Accor Plus, Asia Pacific, said, “Our staff had the opportunity to participate in the last Heritage Race, and we are delighted to be a sponsor of the upcoming Bangkok event.”
Historic Tha Tian Market in Bangkok near Wat Pho, famous for salted seafood.
The race will start and finish at Saranrom Park, and participants will be required to find up to 17 designated stops and complete challenges to qualify for the winners’ draw with attractive cash prizes to be won.
The race will begin at 8 a.m. when participants will convene be briefed about the rules of the race. The key objective is to uncover the stops along the trail, and collect stamps along the way as proof of visitation.
The teams who complete the race and challenges will get to participate in the winners’ draw for cash prizes. The first prize is US$1,000 cash, second prize S$700, and third prize US$400. Attractive travel prizes will also be offered.
The race is open to all – travel industry professionals, students, locals or tourists – interested in uncovering local heritage stories in Bangkok for a good cause.
Registration fee is US$20 per person, and participants can form teams of two to six persons.
Registration for the race will open on November 1 at the Heritage Race home page, and you can follow updates at the Heritage Race Facebook page.
