A Big Bike is a motorized horse for today's cowboys

Hua Hin has been dominated by Big Bikes the last few days. Real motorcycles, for real men, in all sizes, brands, types and trims.

During the day they roamed the streets of Hua Hin, while at night a gigantic area on Canal Road was the place where the many hundreds of motorcycles, their riders and visitors gathered to show their great 'love' to each other.

As a representative of the 'Easy Rider' generation, my heart still opens when I see so many beautifully executed motorcycles. There were probably a thousand motorcycles at the party, all different and one even more exceptional than the next.

The riders were no less fascinating: contemporary cowboys on their motorized horse. The romance is dripping from it. Sturdy shoes, a chain on the right side, a T-shirt with a terrible print, a sleeveless vest with dozens of pieces of cotton sewn on, which show where the owner has been. A kind of Rotary club for men (there are hardly any female riders on Big Bikes) who love their motorized horse. The outfit is not complete without a 'pirate cloth' around the head, because you can't walk all night with a crash helmet. The only thing missing is a hefty colt on the hip. They were, incidentally, for sale at one of the many shops that lined the festival grounds.

There was a clear difference between the Thai motorcycle devils and their foreign counterparts. The Thai are invariably relatively small riders, with short hair. The usually older white bikers dress up with (grey) beards, big bellies, sometimes a ponytail, dangerous texts on their T-shirts and a sturdy pot of beer in their hand.

A Thai festival is not complete without noise. Bands with singers and coyote dancers performed on the 20 meter wide stage. The noise was so loud that it was still ringing in my ears the next morning. This was shown extensively on gigantic screens, so that everyone could follow the lascivious movements of the scantily clad girls. Food and drink was also thought of. Gigantic quantities of Chang beer in cans at reasonable prices disappeared down thirsty throats and the hungry biker was also well catered for. Among the visitors present was Jos Klumper, a former motocross racer from Apeldoorn, who marveled at the Harleys, Hondas, Yamahas, BMWs and other toys present.

At half past nine, all the thousands of people present stood up to sing to King Bhumibol, who is almost on his birthday, with a burning candle in his hand. An impressive moment.

I myself ride a simple Honda Click, but last night I had to suppress the desire to provide myself with such a 'head turner.' I know: don't! Five of the thousand motorcyclists in the Netherlands lose their lives every year. That number is in Thailand obviously much higher. But what a beautiful death: with the flame in the pipe, the pipe out…