Thailand’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is considering the launch of a series of international standard cross-country running tournaments to boost tourism. While the idea is at an early stage of development, the Prime Minister is seeking input from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE).
The runs will take place along defined trails in all four regions of Thailand, with the first planned Kanchanaburi province.
Officials are working on the design of the routes, in order to offer participants with the most interesting and varied terrain, from forest trails to mountain passes, which are already of interest to the younger, environmentally aware generation.
Sompote Maneerat, a spokesman for the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), said that the department is looking to make sure that the routes and runners will not adversely affect country’s flora and fauna.
Tentatively, the Prime Minister may take part in a run, along with other senior political and administration figures, in Kanchanaburi in September.
The tournament will comprise four runs in one year.
