Pattaya International Bed Race 2010

Well guys, it’s official. They’ve scheduled another Pattaya International Bed Race. Last year was the first time that such an event ever happened in this fair town and it was such a rousing success that the Mayor has given his blessing to hold the event for another year. The Pattaya International Bed Race 2010 officially takes place on Sunday, January 31, 2010.

What? You’ve never heard of a bed race? Since this is Pattaya, maybe you’re thinking that it’s an event where you get together as many Pattaya girls as you can, put them in separate beds, and you race from one bed to another?

That sounds like fun, but sadly, that’s not what the Mayor has in mind.
A bed race is actually where contestants get together and build beds that are placed on wheels. The beds are quite elaborate affairs, all decorated up much like floats in a parade. Then the contestants push them through the streets on a designated course as fast as they can to see who wins.

Besides dressing up the beds, the contestants themselves dress up in hilarious costumes. There are trophies for the fastest bed, the best decorated bed, and the best costume. Local businesses sponsor the beds and donations as well as entry fees go to charity. The bed race is hosted annually by the Pattaya Rotary Club who hopes to raise at lease a half million baht during the affair.

Last year the bed race proved to be a riotous affair that was attended by more than 10,000 spectators.  The race course went right down Beach Road for a mile and ended up at Bali Hai Pier. Boyztown, Alcazar, Nick’s Pizza, and Murphy’s Law Pub were among the 25 contestants that entered beds.

Alcazar naturally took the Best Dressed Team trophy. How could they not? Nick’s Pizza was the fastest by far, covering the course in less than six minutes. Murphy’s Law Pub took the longest time to complete the course at over 22 minutes, but they stopped for beer along the route. Those guys just couldn’t pass up the chance to stop at the only Irish pub along the way. The Pattaya Ladies Club got the Booby Prize.

I’d personally like to see the AngelWitch Rock Dancers enter a bed in this year’s race. Other contestant’s that would be fun to see would be Windmill and Airport Agogo. I’d also like to suggest a new category, Least Dressed Team. I doubt the Rotary will go along with my suggestions. How about you guys? What would you like to see in the bed race this year?