Thailand’s fitness deficit: Running endorsed to get the nation moving

[snoop1130]

 

Recent statistics from this year reveal that only 62% of the Thai population engage in sufficient physical activities, while over 38% don’t. To encourage an active lifestyle, Social Marketing Thaihealth (SMT) and its network have endorsed running as an affordable and accessible form of exercise.

 

SMT and the Thai Health Day Run believe that running can pave the way for a healthier and more active lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Running not only improves physical health but also releases endorphins, promoting happiness and well-being.

 

Many individuals use running as a means to discover new aspects of life and escape from persistent problems such as stress and grief.

 

Hence, this year, the SMT and the Thai Health Day Run continue to promote the culture of running with the concept “Run towards a new lifestyle together, READY TO MOVE ON.”

 

The campaign encourages people to run and motivates them to rise and start running through a series of advertisements. The campaign suggests that no matter how you run, just start running, and your life will improve.

 

The series of adverts also addresses several concerns that many potential runners may have, such as lack of time, nearby running locations, running alone, familiarity with the running location, and lack of enjoyment.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of Sanook

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-31

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Puccini]

29 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

...SMT and the Thai Health Day Run believe that running can pave the way for a healthier and more active lifestyle, both physically and mentally...

 

I wouldn't be so sure, with all that air pollution most of the year.

[BarstoolChang]

This will never work.

 

Thais will drive their bikes to the 711 across the street rather than walk there.

[nglodnig]

I was going to say go bike riding (excellent cardio-vascular exercise, no impact on knees like running has) but of course the carnage on the roads would outwiegh the health factors. Indoor biking anyone?

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

To encourage an active lifestyle, Social Marketing Thaihealth (SMT) and its network have endorsed running as an affordable and accessible form of exercise

My lard-arsed neighbour rides her Wave to the local mom & pop shop 100 metres from home, to get her Pepsi nam kang.

[RichardColeman]

Considering Thais I know get on the motorbike to go 50 yards to the nearest shop, I think the nation is destined to become a hotbed of fatties and the unfit rather than the opposite !

[mikebell]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

several concerns that many potential runners may have, such as

Packs of 'wild' dogs which include those with owners who allow their 'pets' to defecate on the street and bite intruders with impunity.  I carry a slim rolling pin whenever I am forced to walk.

[mrfill]

This sounds very ambitious. Perhaps they should start with some vigorous shuffling first.

[Karma80]

Running in Bangkok or various other places would probably net shave a few years off your life due to the lung cancer risk exposure. That's if you didn't pass out from heat stroke.

We should stick to the traditional sports of running to cross the road before you die, chased by wild dogs, and running to the 7-11 before they stop selling beer.

[Emdog]

Just checked the air quality for Bangkok: 82, which is 2.8 times WHO health guidelines, which has cost 7,900 deaths in Bangkok in 2023. I suppose one could take the attitude that the air will kill ya no matter what you do, so might as well jog....

https://www.iqair.com/th-en/thailand/bangkok

[John Drake]

People in high rise apartments can run the stairs. Put in about 120 flights of stairs per day and be better off for it. And whenever it is an option, walk to wherever you're going.

[Goat]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Considering Thais I know get on the motorbike to go 50 yards to the nearest shop, I think the nation is destined to become a hotbed of fatties and the unfit rather than the opposite !

Goota laugh at the people who constantly bash Thais even for things they are more guilty of.

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/30/britains-obesity-epidemic-crushing-nhs/

[rudi49jr]

6 hours ago, mikebell said:

Packs of 'wild' dogs which include those with owners who allow their 'pets' to defecate on the street and bite intruders with impunity.  I carry a slim rolling pin whenever I am forced to walk.

I’m like Teddy Roosevelt: ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’. Plenty of Thai dogs have tried to get at the bone marrow of both my fibula and tibia, but so far they haven’t succeeded, thanks to the big stick.

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, rudi49jr said:

I’m like Teddy Roosevelt: ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’. Plenty of Thai dogs have tried to get at the bone marrow of both my fibula and tibia, but so far they haven’t succeeded, thanks to the big stick.

A 'marrow' escape?