This year’s Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon on
November 23 offers additional prizes for Thai runners and
lines up activities to promote its “Cool Marathon” concept

20 August 2008

Bangkok – August 20, 2008 – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in association with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), National Jogging Association of Thailand (NJAT), and Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Pcl. joined hands to make this year’s Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon not only attract more Thai and international runners, but also raise social awareness on climate change.

At a press conference held today at the Centara Hotel, the organizing committee announced that the race day has been set on Sunday November 23 with highlight on “Cool Marathon”, a campaign against climate change, featuring promotional activities in four regions around Thailand.

NJAT chairman General Manus Klaimanee acting as spokesperson of the organizing committee said that for 21 consecutive years, the race has succeeded in retaining its glory and internationally recognized standard. With active support from the government sectors including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and BMA, it is likely to draw greater attention from international runners and tourists to Thailand, generating tourism revenues and strengthening the position of Bangkok as an ideal location for international sports events.

“The first Bangkok Marathon held 20 years ago welcomed just about 1000 runners. The number of runners however has been increasing every year, and last year the race was successfully blessed by over 50,000 runners, with approximately 300 runners from abroad. For this year’s event, again, we expect much more entries from local and international runners,” he added.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is of great help to publicize the race among international runners and communities. Meanwhile BMA has played an important role in getting the city prepared for the race, of which the route runs through splendid views of Bangkok’s most beautiful historical, cultural and architectural attractions within the Rattanakosin Island.”

To encourage more Thai runners, General Manus said, “This year’s event will award Thai runners with 15 more cash prizes; ten for male racers and five for female. Besides, to encourage more people running, the organizing committee will bring Marathon Clinic to road-show in four regions around the country including Chiang Mai, Rayong, Surin and Phuket where jogging and marathon clubs in the provinces will play an active role to help promote running as a way towards healthy living.”

Mr. Mark Devadason, President and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Thai), said: “The bank, which is now in its third year as title sponsor, has contributed not only the financial support but always promote social awareness element into the race. Last year, with great success we paired up 80 blind runners with bank staff volunteers to run in celebration of HM the King’s 80th birthday anniversary.

“This year, we would like to see wider community participation in running not only as a way towards healthy but also green living. For this reason, we have derived to “Cool Marathon” concept with the aim to encourage people to running as an exercise for their better health and help with charity at the same time. We will be organizing activities with local communities in four regions where the Marathon Clinic road-shows will take place and raise awareness on climate change and how individual behavior can make a difference, ” said Mr. Devadason.

Part of the proceeds from this year’s Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon will go towards Chaipattana Foundation under the patronage of His Majesty the King.

Applications for the 21st Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon are available at all branches of Standard Chartered Bank and McDonald. For more information, visit www.bkkmarathon.com or call at 0 2628 8361.