TENS OF THOUSANDS of bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts will once again roar into Patong for the annual Phuket Bike Week 2011, from April 8 -10.

The popular event, now in its 17th year, attracts people from all over the country and even further afield, who descend on the beachside city to party, attend tattoo conventions and of course ride their motorcycles.

Over 2,800 bikes, from Harley Davidsons and Japanese superbikes to the omnipresent Phuket scooters joined the frolics last year, with mass convoys taking to the island?s winding roads to enjoy its open expanse and beautiful scenery.

What would a motorcycle festival be without Rock music? A question that attendees need not ponder at Phuket Bike Week, as every night during the 3-day festival, visitors to Loma Park can be expected to have their socks firmly rocked off by many of the visiting Rock bands.

All the latest motorcycle models from BMW, Harley Davidson, Ducati, Triumph, Yamaha and Kawasaki will be on display at the Motorcycle Exhibition in the Jungceylon shopping mall.
There will also be a Custom Bike competition and lots of fun activities and games to be had on the Leisure Centre?s main stage.

Visitors will not only get to see the latest in motorcycle innovation and culture, but also art exhibitions, tattoo conventions and even beauty pageants.

Indeed, Miss Phuket Bike Week is a firm favourite with many of the returning rockers and revellers, who turn up year after year to witness bevies of Phuket beauties battle it out to see who will be crowned Miss Phuket Bike Week.

There are sure to be many other visual treats to behold, perhaps to even rival last year?s amazing spectacle of hundreds of bikes arranged to spell out ?Phuket 2010?.
Reflecting the fact that there is literally something for everybody was the previous year?s growth in numbers of attending families.

This shows not only the maturity and growing diversity of the event, but also of its increasing popularity.

Over 30,000 visitors from 26 different countries came to Phuket during Phuket Bike Week 2010 and rode, ate, drank and had a rockin? great time that generated more than 700 million baht of revenue for the island. Substantial amounts are also typically donated to various Phuket-based charities.

Recently, the event has also been used as an opportunity to promote road safety and encourage unity in the biker community. Last year saw 1,000 bikers take part in ?Ride For Peace?: a biker parade from Patong all the way to Laem Phromthep to watch the sunset.
Over the last few years and considering its resonance and popularity with the Phuket and visiting youth, steps have been taken to, through various demonstrations and seminars during the event, increase awareness on the island of the dangers of riding drunk or without helmets.

The Highway Police will once again be giving demonstrations on road safety and supervising the event to ensure that a fun and safe time is had by all.

Phuket Bike Week 2011 is expected to draw even larger numbers of visitors, to attract even bigger and better bikes and will surely be even noisier, sexier and more fun than ever before!

Schedule for Phuket Bike Week 2011

Friday 8 April 2011
Motorcycle Exhibition: 3.pm-midnight at Patong Football field.
Beach Party & Music Festival & Bike Contest: 4pm-2am at Loma Park, Patong Beach.

Saturday 9 April 2011
Motorcycle Exhibition:3pm-midnight at Patong Football field.
Beach Party & Music Festival & Bike Contest: 4pm-2am at Loma Park, Patong Beach.
Grand Opening & Grand Dinner Party: Start time 7-9pm at Loma Park, Patong Beach.

Sunday 10 April 2011
Motorcycle Exhibition: 3pm-midnight at Patong Football field
Tree planting campaign to reduce Global warming, on the roadside from Patong to Kamala: Throughout the day

?Ride for Peace? convoy travels from Patong at 4pm to Karon, Kata, Nai Hahn, and Prom Thep Cape before returning to Patong at 6pm.
Beach Party & everyone?s favourite police officer/singer Bow Vee performs a concert at Loma Park, Patong Beach from 6pm.