Team Thailand attended the opening ceremony for the India Myanmar Thailand Friendship Motor Rally, which flagged off on Sunday 13th November.
As the Thai partner for the rally, FMSCT very much appreciates the prominent displays of remembrance and tributes to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thank you in particular to Ramesh Mahapatra and Sujith Kumar for your comradeship, support and understanding. We wish everyone a safe, fun and memorable adventure!
The Indian – Myanmar – Thailand Friendship Rally will feature around 25 cars (mostly SUV’s) and 100 participants.
The ceremonial flag off last Sunday from New Delhi will culminate in the first week of December in Bangkok. The epic 4618 kilometre journey will take the drivers and their teams through Northern India ,crossing Myanmar to Mandalay then into Thailand through to Bangkok.
The IMT Friendship Rally will seek-
- To promote direct physical connectivity by road, rail and air between Northeast India, Myanmar and Thailand for more Trans- Border Trade and Investment.
- To promote Northeast India, Myanmar and Thailand as the land corridor and gateway to Southeast Asia and the Far East.
- To re-establish and strengthen the age-old historical linkages, culture and linguistic affinities of the people of the regions.
- To promote the “Act East” policy of the Government of India in the perspective of NE India with Southeast Asian countries.
India, Thailand and Myanmar are currently working on a 1,400-kilometre-long highway that will link India with Southeast Asia by land for the first time in decades, giving a boost to trade and cultural exchanges between the three countries.
Indian ambassador to Thailand Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi said that 73 bridges in Myanmar, built more than seven decades ago during World War II, were being renovated with funding from India to allow vehicles to cross the highway safely.
He added that when the repair work is completed in 18 months, the highway could be opened to traffic from all three countries.
The Friendship Rally is fully supported by the respective governments of the three countries.
Credit: Barry Russell Post – Barry Russell is the Jury President FMSCT/TSB