Pattaya Girls

This was the scene at the Starting Line of the 2009 Thailand 4X4 Rally on Tuesday night.

Walking Street wasn’t just for walking on Tuesday night. It was opened up to 4X4 racing traffic for the start of the 2009 Thailand 4×4 Rally. Twenty one trucks from around the world participated. Teams came into Pattaya from Japan, India, and Malaysia. Local teams from Thailand also participated in the event.

I just happened to stumble into it Tuesday night around 8 pm. Local police had the street roped off as trucks and other vehicles in the competition raced down Walking Street and around the corner. Tires were squealing and engines were roaring.

A traditional Thai band played the send-off music for the 2009 Thailand 4x4 Rally

They had the official starting line set up just about 100 feet in from the entrance to Walking Street. Each team would drive up to the starting line for a photo or two before speeding off in pursuit of victory. The winner of the Rally gets the coveted Crown Prince Trophy.

Apparently, the rally is a 3 day event. The teams have to follow a predetermined route that leads clear around the Eastern coastline if this part of Thailand. Tuesday night marked the beginning of the Rally. It will conclude on December 10th.

They had a Thai band, a bunch of pretty girls, and the Mayor of Pattaya all lined up at the start to urge on the competitors. As soon as the rally trucks left the area, Walking Street was closed off again and things got quickly back to normal.