TAKE A RIDE. GIVE A TOY. BRING A SMILE. Chiang Mai ToyRide: helping children in need with charity motorcycle parade, party, food, live music, games and toy giveaway!

Chiang Mai, Thailand – On this festive Sunday morning, hundreds of riders on motorcycles of all types and sizes, laden with toys, games and stuffed animals, will parade through Chiang Mai and then create a massive pile of toys to be given to boys, girls and babies in need. Following the ride to the X-Centre Zorb Ball field, the charity party kicks off at noon with bands for kids, rock ‘n’ blues for farang, clowns, magicians, a monkey show, games and prizes for the kids, food from local vendors, awards for best decorated bikes and, once again, the highlight of last year’s event: the toy giveaway to the children!

All motorcyclists are invited to join the event whether their bikes are large or small. And there’s no admission charge: just bring along a new toy to warm a needy child’s heart.

• Annual Charity Motorcycle Ride and Party on Sunday,  to be announced for 2011

• Motorcycles of all sizes and riders of all ages welcome! • 9:45 am – meet at Tesco Khamtien for the ride/parade through Chiang Mai (click here to View Map)

• Noon – party at X-Centre near Mae Rim with music, games, food and toy giveaway

• Admission/donation: one new toy and a great big smile!

It’s not just about the toys. With the generous donations from our sponsors and riders, we have given away hundreds of toys and blankets, athletic equipment, medical supplies and food to hundreds of children and their families. In 2009 we expanded our giving with our “Playgrounds Plus” program, which provides new playground equipment, educational and athletic supplies, or construction necessary for the well being of the students. These donations are individually tailored to each poor school, targeting kids who are “under the radar.” Besides our main fundraising event and “Children’s Day Remote,” a toy/blanket giveaway in a remote village, donations from individuals and businesses fund our Playgrounds Plus events throughout the year, as well as our annual Christmas Eve Giveaway in the acute care wards at Chiang Mai’s Maharaj Hospital when ailing kids get a visit from Santa bearing bags of stuffed animals.

The Chiang Mai ToyRide committee (an international group of riders and non-riders from Thailand, Canada, England, Australia, Germany and America) has staged successful rides in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Toys, goods and other charitable donations are gathered and distributed to ‘children in need’. If you’d like more information, please  email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

After an M79 grenade was launched at the Central Airport Plaza Shopping Center on March 23, Chiang Mai Provincial Police commander Pol. Maj Gen Sommai Kongwisut announced that security around the city has been tightened, measures have been stepped up at City Hall and the Court buildings, patrols have been increased and checkpoints instituted around the city.

The M79 grenade launched at the shopping center was presumably aimed at the police box but hit the wall of the building. Police believe it was shot from an overpass near the shopping center. The police are viewing CCTV cameras to single out suspects in the attack.

There have been four bomb threats or attacks, with giant fireworks being shot at the Bangkok Bank ATM machine in Chang Phuak and the M79 attack on Central Aiport Plaza. The Chiang Mai Construction Co. Ltd owned by Kanaen Supha, the father in law of politician Newin Chidchob was also attacked.

The fourth and latest attack was a grenade planted at a Bangkok Bank ATM machine in San Kamphaeng on March 25. Locals informed the police that a grenade had been found in the bin near the Sai Wattanatham San Kamphaeng Bangkok Bank ATM machine. Police discovered an M76 grenade and proceeded to disarm it and remove it.

Chiang Mai Provincial Police commander Pol. Maj Gen Sommai Kongwisut believes the attacks could be the work of people trying to foment fear and chaos and has stepped up patrols and checkpoints around the city.