After months of slow recuperation from an operation, which confined him to bed most of the time, a 71-year-old businessman has found his "miracle" speedy recovery in the form of a set of wheels.
Cyclists gather for the opening of the campaign to promote Chai Nat as the 'City of Bikes'. The province is drawing on the resources of the private and state sectors to put the city on the cycling map.
Sompong Sinsap, deputy chairman of Chai Nat Chamber of Commerce, saw his morale drop to its lowest ebb following an operation to cure spinal canal cancer in 2004.
"I was crying in bed because I couldn't walk," Mr Sompong said. "I was so gripped with fear that I might be left permanently disabled.
"But I kept trying hard and did not give up," said Mr Sompong, the founder of the Lions Club of Chai Nat.
It was even harder to bring himself to mount his bicycle in a bid to get some kind of exercise. But small steps led ever so slowly to larger ones, and gradually his life began to change.
Today, Mr Sompong cycles 20-30 kilometres every day. He also promotes biking for those who suffer health problems to encourage them to keep on fighting.
"I want people to join in cycling," Mr Sompong said, adding apart from the health aspects, biking allows people to see beautiful scenery and to interact with others.
Ong-art Lam-ubon, head of a cycling club which prompts a healthy lifestyle along with tourism in Chai Nat, could not agree more.
The 72-year-old, who looks much younger, no longer suffers from being easily exhausted as a result of a heart problem, which required bypass surgery.
He bicycles up to 30 kilometres a day. He also frequently joins charitable activities and cycling tournaments.
He often leads 20-30 cyclists from his club on long sessions on country roads.
"This can make a contribution to both public charity work and good health," Mr Ong-art said. "If I do not cycle for three consecutive days, I feel like I might be catching a cold or getting fatigued."
Mr Ong-art said the number of club members is now in the hundreds.
Members often gather at Chai Nat City Hall, where drinking water is served and bicycle technicians are on standby to check equipment.
In Chai Nat, there are three cycling routes.
One route stretches from city hall to the Chao Phraya Dam, which is about 20 kilometres away. The second route runs from city hall to Wat Tang. The third route runs through rice fields and ends at Chai Nat Bird Park, and covers almost 30km.
Major cycling activities are normally held twice a week with hundreds of cyclists participating. During their journey, police are deployed to organise traffic.
Mr Ong-art said since the club was formed five years ago, many members have found themselves recovering from illness and depression. They also have made several friends from social interaction.
Cyclists enjoy the fresh air, the open spaces and the environment surrounding sparsely populated communities in the province, as well as being able to inspect unique styles of old houses and buildings along the way, he said.
Mr Ong-art said he would seek support from relevant organisations to help set up a cycling training centre for children and youths in the province.
"We want Chai Nat to become a cycling city for tourism and health as well as the cycling training centre for youths," he said, adding that Chai Nat cycling club uses Line and Facebook to interact with its members.
"Chai Nat has a lot of less-frequented tourism locations. Not many people come to visit the province. But we have cultural strengths, which should be showcased," Mr Ong-art said.
The state and private sectors in Chai Nat also play an integral part in cycling in the province.
Bicycle lanes have been built in district municipalities and key roads along the Chao Phraya River in the province.
Private firms have also helped to donate more than 200 bicycles to schools. The idea is for children to borrow them for six months on the understanding that the bikes must be returned in good condition.
Technicians are also deployed to follow cyclists in their gatherings in all municipalities to help those in need of repair work.
"Many school children want to ride bicycles to school and we just ask them to send details and requests to us," Mr Ong-art said, adding that teachers also helped assess the outcome of the campaign. To promote the lifestyle, Mr Ong-art said lucky draws are to be held every month to provide gifts to those joining cycling activities in the province.
"A bicycle borrowing area has been set up in front of city hall and bicycle repairs are provided in front of police stations," Mr Ong-art said. "A hotline has also been established to receive requests from people seeking repairs.
Radio broadcasts are made three or four times a day to urge people to join cycling activities and warn them to be cautious when riding on the roads, he said.
Many Chai Nat residents have taken to cycling for practical and health reasons, as well as for doing charity work.
Mr Ong-art noted a marked change in the province is the lower use of cars, which helps ease traffic, while people appear to socialise more from bicycle gatherings, where they can share a wide range of knowledge, including bicycles.
One man, who is in his 50s, has become an avid cyclist. He stops at morning markets to talk with villagers and vendors, listening to their concerns about the province, which gives him some ideas for how to develop it province. That man is Chai Nat provincial governor Suthipong Julcharoen.
Suthipong Julcharoen, Chai Nat's governor, is a keen rider.
The governor starts his cycling journey at the crack of dawn. He goes around Muang Chai Nat municipality and rides by the riverside roads and through nearby communities.
"Chai Nat is a liveable city with clean air and a convenient road network," Mr Suthipong said. "I want Chai Nat to become a bicycle city where people go cycling for health reasons, not just for festivals or special occasions."
With that kind of backing, the state and private organisations are drawing up plans for bicycle activities all year round in the province.
A press conference was held recently to unveil the campaign "12 months of cycling in Chai Nat".
The campaign is aimed at promoting tourism along cycling routes, Mr Suthipong said, adding that activities will be held every month to allow cyclists to experience different climates and environments in the province.
The campaign, which kicks off on Jan 24, will start with the "Show Off" concept, in which cyclists will wear cold weather outfits and ride decked-out bicycles.
The next activity celebrates the month of love, February, when on the 14th and 15th, couples, friends and brothers or sisters, will ride bicycles together to mark Valentine's Day.
On March 21-22, cyclists will get a close look at the downtown area of Muang district when a key route will be closed for bicycles only. Cyclists will be able to inspect cultural and historic places as well as the country's major breeding area for rare birds.
A merit-making cycling tour takes place on April 18 and19 with visits to numerous temples in the province.
On May 15-7, Thailand's cycling championship will be held in the province.
A bike tour to less-frequented destinations will be organised from June 20-21, including an inspection of the ecosystem at Krajab Yai Lake and Koh Thao U-thong in Chai Nat's Hankha district.
A bike race, "Tour de Chai Nat", which will resemble the famed Tour de France, will be held on July 25 and 26. A cycling tour along rice fields will then follow on Aug 15 and 16.
Sept 19-20 will see "Car Free Day", which marks the United Nations campaign to reduce automobile use.
Oct 17-18 is slated for cycling around rice fields during harvest time. The following month, cyclists will ride along a riverside road on Nov 21 and 22.
On Dec 7-8, cyclists will take in a route that shows where Free Thai Movement key leader Puay Ungpakorn parachuted into Nong Mamong district of Chai Nat during World War II.
Mr Suthipong said the year-long activities are expected to draw more than 30,000 tourists to the province and generate at least 100 million baht in business. The growth in tourism in the province could double in the next 12 months, he added.
Cyclists and organisers share their love of two wheels at the launch of the Chai Nat campaign.
Chainat The City of Bike
A road sign tells motorists to give way to cyclists. The province has set aside areas for people to rent bicycles.
Residents and visitors cycle through Chai Nat's communities. Provincial authorities firmly believe cycling is the way of the future for the city and the province.
Cyclists hit the road in Chai Nat for one of their regular gatherings. Provincial authorities encourage residents to leave their cars at home. Photos by Chudet Srinawong