When we think of motorcycle clubs we typically think of groups of American bikers engaging in exercise that is uniquely American. That's not the case, as demonstrated by the Bandidos motorcycle club worldwide. This past December (2011) the Bandidos MC Thailand just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a great party in Chiang Mai. What made the party so special is that it wasn't limited only to members of Thai clubs. According to official reports there were Bandidos from all over the world joining with their Thai brothers to mark the occasion.
The party kicked off with a banquet at a local hotel just as the sun was ready to set. The Bandidos welcomed a new Thai chapter and officially recognized its new president Bandido Tum. As the evening turned into nighttime the Bandidos celebrated with plenty of music, great food, drinks, and camaraderie.
Morning broke and the bikers awoke to prepare for participation in the 3rd annual Brotherhood Will run. Along the route they were joined by other local motorcycle riders to eventually form a huge gathering at the stadium where they concluded. Ironically, the event coincided with the last days of the annual Chiang Mai Bike Week.
Seeing pictures of the event I was intrigued by the fact that in addition to the Bandidos custom club motorcycle patch the Thai riders were also wearing extra patches designating them as belonging to Thai-based chapters. What intrigued me was the fact that all of these individual bikers live in different places and participate in different chapters, yet they are still part of one larger brotherhood of bikers. The bond of that brotherhood is something unique among motorcycle clubs.
I suppose that's why so many bikers join them.
