Two Girls set off on a 19,000-kilometre journey by Thai Tuk Tuk from Bangkok to Brighton!

June 7th, 2006

Thailand’s famous tuk-tuk is all set to break a record in overland travel thanks to two 27 year old Britons who are taking turns to drive the motorised rickshaw from Bangkok to their hometown of Brighton in England.

Psychology student Jo Huxster and former television crew member Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent left the British ambassador’s residence in Bangkok last Sunday and are now turning heads in Laos as they make their way through the countryside in their shocking pink vehicle.

Huxster and Bolingbroke-Kent will drive for three months to raise 50,000 Pounds  (Bt3.57 million) for the UK mental health charity Mind.

“We’ve already got 3,000 Pounds from Elton John,� reveals Bolingbroke-Kent.

Huxster’s trip in a tuk-tuk four years ago inspired the idea for the overland trip across Asia and Europe.

“I came to Bangkok with my family. The driver let me sit up front and allowed me to drive for a short distance. It was quite an experience.�

“The Thai tuk-tuk is the best. Unlike other motor-rickshaws, the Thai tuk-tuk is tough and fun to ride.�

The two Britons say their journey will cover 19,000 kilometres, further than the last two overland trips by tuk-tuk to Germany and France by other drivers.

“After Laos is China,� says Bolingbroke-Kent “We will travel through Chengdu, Xian following the old Silk Road.�

However, the girls won’t be travelling through the old “hippie� trail from Afghanistan to Iran to Turkey, avoiding getting in trouble with bandits.

“We will approach Europe from Central Asia.�

The Thai tuk-tuk may be fun to ride but the roads in China and Central Asia will prove a tough test for the chic pink vehicle.

“It’s been specially modified for the ride,� reveals Sawong Sonpheung, the tuk-tuk maker who built the vehicle.

“The wheels are specially made in order to prevent Jo and Antonia from a flat tyre experience. The suspension is also modified to cope with tough terrain.�

The girls are schedule to arrive home in Brighton around August and will drive around to raising more money for Mind before giving serious thought about what to do with the pink tuk-tuk.

Like-minded travellers can donate money and stay in touch with the girls through their website http://www.tuktotravel.co.uk/.

Source from “The Nation” June 2006.

Tags: thailand tuk-tuk, thailand holiday, holiday to thailand, thailand vacation

Entry Filed under: Thailand Destination