Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) Bangkok, February 14, 2026 – Canadian Paralympic athlete and inspirational hand-cranked cyclist Jimmy Pelletier arrived in Thailand on February 14 to officially launch the fifth phase of his global cycling project, the “Jimmy Pelletier Cycling Tour.” This Thailand leg of the tour, supported by AFS Thailand, will run until April 1. The first stop is at the AFS Thailand office in Bangkok, followed by performances in various locations across Thailand. On April 3, Jimmy will travel to Morocco to begin the sixth leg of his 13-stop global journey.
The core purpose of this event is to raise public awareness and funds for the Canadian non-profit organization Adaptavie. The proceeds will be used to build the Adaptavie Health Centre in Quebec City. This innovative wellness facility will provide specialized services for people with disabilities worldwide, helping those with physical, intellectual, or autistic disabilities improve their quality of life and achieve independence. Ms. Tanduun Ronseng, Executive Director of Advertising and Public Relations at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated that Thailand is honored to be an important stop on this global journey. Jimmy's cycling trip conveys positive energy of resilience, equality, and global solidarity, showcasing Thailand's natural beauty and hospitality while aligning with the country's commitment to inclusive and barrier-free tourism development. She emphasized that, through the "Trustworthy Thailand" initiative, Thailand continuously improves tourism safety and service quality through government-business collaboration and has the robust capacity to host international sporting events and global charitable activities.
This trip to Thailand also highlights the cross-cultural connection between Thailand and Canada. As members of the AFS Global Network, AFS Thailand and AFS Canada deepen mutual understanding through student exchanges and cultural activities. This collaboration is a vivid example of their efforts to promote inclusive empowerment. During his stay in Thailand, Jimmy will serve as a goodwill ambassador, interacting with local communities, AFS volunteers, cycling groups, and others to convey the social vision of "inclusive diversity and equal participation for all." Data shows that Jimmy became paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident at the age of 19, but he turned adversity into motivation. He competed in the 2006 Turin Paralympic Games and achieved remarkable feats such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by hand-cranked bicycle and traversing 7,200 kilometers across Canada in 65 days. His annual charity cycling event has become an important platform for uniting social forces and promoting inclusion and equality.
AFS Thailand is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding through international educational exchanges. It assists Thai students in studying in over 40 countries each year and hosts international students with Thai families. Adaptavie, since its establishment in 1980, has provided personalized support to over 2,000 people with disabilities annually, helping them with social integration and mental and physical well-being.
