Motoring through history

The Vintage Car Club of Thailand, led by president Kwanchai Paphatphong, is off on another jaunt today. With the help of Nakhon Pathom Province and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the sixth running of the "Nakhon Pathom Campus Tour 2008" will bring together classic and vintage cars for a tour of Bangkok's neighbouring province of Nakhon Pathom.

The caravan, so far comprising more than 30 jalopies, is a novel way of kicking off Nakhon Pathom's new attempts to showcase its riches of art, culture and education for tourists, and giving Bangkok's image a boost too.

The trip's itinerary includes historic, modern and educational sites, ranging from Tesco Lotus' energy-saving "Green Building" in Salaya to Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Muang Kao Kamphaeng Saen School, Kasetsart University, Silpakorn University and Mahidol University's Salaya campus. The campus visit will also be a chance to delve deeper into what each of the sites offers. Kwanchai says the club's members are keen to experience the atmosphere of historic Nakhon Pathom town, too.

The cars will meet at the starting line at the Royal Plaza's King Chulalongkorn statue at 8am today. Kwanchai says he's confident members will be impressed with the unique slant given to the Nakhon Pathom tour this year.

For more information contact the Vintage Car Club of Thailand at (02) 641 8444, ext 507, or (089) 457 0567 or e-mail waseenat_s@pmb.co.th.