‘Tour de Thailand Charity Rides’ Pedaling with a Purpose since 2003
Charity cycling rides have become powerful platforms for supporting causes, while raising an impressive amount of funds and awareness. These events combine fitness with philanthropy, at the same time engaging local communities that encourage riders to pedal with a purpose.
Bangkok, 27 January 2025 – The early Tour de Thailand Charity Rides (TDT) were the events that got Adventure Cycling Thailand (ACT) started in the bicycle touring business to begin with. Today ACT has grown to a multi-company portfolio that includes Tour de Thailand Charity Rides, Hua Hin Bike Tours, and Royal Coast Bicycle Adventure Tours, offering riders the chance to experience Thailand’s rich culture while cycling for a greater good.
It all started in November 2003 when Christopher Byrd, a former U.S. Marine, set off on his inaugural solo charity ride that he called Tour de Thailand, covering 3,200 km in 23 days of cycling with only five intermittent days to rest.
Chris raised over 300,000 baht for needy children in Thailand on that initial TDT ride and was then persuaded into repeating his efforts in 2004 and raised over 300,000 baht once again, this time with the help of other riders joining the worthy cause. They were like-minded individuals who wanted to see Thailand by bicycle, help others in need, and push themselves to achieve fundraising goals while sharing the natural endorphin high from riding each day.
By 2005, Chris had met his future wife Siranee (nickname ‘Gae’), and she joined him in his efforts to continue growing TDT Charity Rides and build the business that positions Adventure Cycling Thailand as a leader in operating charity bicycle events in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile the donations, as well as the number of TDT riders, continued to grow each year raising over 4 million baht for local Thai charities from 2006 to 2008.
Chris was able to achieve his dream of running a bicycle tour business when he and Gae purchased a small bike tour company in 2008 from friends that they then rebranded as Hua Hin Bike Tours. They used this platform to offer bicycle day tours, multi-day and custom tours, bicycle rentals, while selling Tour de Thailand bicycle jerseys to support the annual charity rides.
From there they launched the first ‘Tour de Isan’ Charity Ride from Nong Khai that followed the meandering Mekong River down to Ubon Ratchathani in time for the town’s famous Annual International Candle Festival.
The Tour de Isan 2008 and 2009 both raised more than 500,000 baht each for local charities. Eventually, the Tour de Isan became known as the ‘Tour de Thailand – Northeastern Ride’ and is now part of a summer series of epic bicycle tours through the five distinct regions of Thailand.
Tour de Thailand 2025 is poised to be one of the best charity rides to date, which will include five unique bicycle tours through a total of 34 provinces. The TDT Charity Rides are fully supported bicycle tours from hotel to hotel with options to include riders of all levels.
“Safe, scenic, and savory are three of the main factors that ACT focuses on during the TDT Rides. We follow specific routes that are meticulously surveyed to keep cyclists off the main highways and larger roads as much as possible for added safety, and the most natural scenery,” Chris, said. “We go through small villages, vast farmland, along beachfront and rural roads using premium quality hybrid bicycles that are great for both rugged all-terrain use and smooth rolling on paved roads.”
According to Chris all TDT rides offer a truly gastronomic experience because riders get to enjoy amazing Thai food each and every day.
The TDT focuses on responsible tourism by giving back to local charitable organizations, while being environmentally friendly as it promotes cycling rather than other means of transportation. They ride with re-usable 18.9 liter water bottles rather than small single use plastics and dispose of their waste properly. Getting educated on Thai culture, language, history, and agriculture provides yet another added bonus to riders.
Chris noted that Tour de Thailand Charity Rides has also been working hard to get corporate sponsors so that they can operate affordable rides and still have 100% of the donations go directly to charities. The events are not a race as the focus is on making sure everyone involved wins.
Charities benefiting from Tour de Thailand Charity Rides have included Operation Smile Thailand/International, Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, Baan Home Hug – Suthasini Noi-in Foundation for Children and Youth, and the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin.
“We want to share everything Thailand has to offer while inviting our guests to give back to local communities for a truly meaningful cycling experience. We ask each rider to raise a minimum of 15,000 Baht in donations, as well as raising invaluable awareness, for an assortment of life-changing charity organizations that help those in need here in Thailand and around the region,” Chris concluded.
For more information on Tour de Thailand Charity Rides, please visit Tour de Thailand Charity Rides 2025 | Adventure Cycling Thailand
Photo caption: Tour de Thailand in previous year, supporting Operation Smile
Photo caption: Tour de Thailand Charify Rides by Adventure Cycling Thailand offers riders the chance to experience Thailand’s rich culture while cycling for a greater good.
Photo caption: Khun Chris and Khun Gae at Adventure Cycling Thailand (ACT)
Photo caption: Upcoming Tour de Thailand 2025 charity bike routes
For more information, please contact: TQPR Thailand, Mae Maneekulapan, mae@tqpr.com