Chiang Mai, N Thailand, 17 Nov. A multi-day siege of Thailiand's much sought-after highest summit, Doi Inthanon, bore fruit today during a fearless bid by an international team of dedicated day-trippers. After a concerted day of booking the cheapest tickets possible, the cross-cultural conglomerate stormed the summit using carefully planned minibus tactics. Conditions were excellent, and the summit party enjoyed clear skies from the moment they were picked up from guest houses, scattered around Chiang Mai, at 8.30 am. Emergency rations of bread and cheese proved unnecessary, as restaurant food was found to be available at a roadside half-way point. The final pull to the summit proved strenuous and the outcome uncertain. In a hard-headed display of ruthless decision-making, the driver insisted on turning off the air conditioning to improve vehicle performance at 2400 m. The team gagged for air, but held on with windows cracked slightly open. A gaunt but ubilant John H Bull (professional office worker whose major sponsors include Spinetrak Postural Aids, HSBC Overdraft Services and Halifax Mortgage Holidays) was almost beside himself as he hugged the roadside sign inscribed 'Thailands's Highestedest Pointeds', which stood only metres below a concrete path to a summit Stupa containing an old King's remains. 'Yesterday this hadn't even occured to me, and now I'm here and nobody can take that away. It's a wildest dream come true', he was thought to splutter, though noise from the heavy traffic made communications difficult. 'But, make no mistake, it's not over til we all get down safely'. Fortunately the descent proved uneventful, and the team dozed contentedly most of the way home listening to their i-pods.