Disappointment at Suanluang Rama 9 Park
Runners Left Stranded Without Event Organizers
Hundreds of enthusiastic runners, including families and groups, gathered early Sunday morning at Suanluang Rama 9 park in Bangkok’s Prawet district for the highly anticipated Run for Destination 2025. Despite the presence of a starting arch, tents, mobile toilets, ambulances, paramedics, and an event announcer, the organizers were nowhere to be found, leaving participants frustrated and confused.
Promises of Prizes Unfulfilled
Event Promotions Raised High Expectations
The Run for Destination 2025 event had been heavily promoted on social media, with its Facebook page boasting around 6,200 followers. Organizers enticed participants with promises of bags, jerseys, smartwatches, and running shoes as giveaways. Runners paid application fees ranging from 450 to 1,500 baht for individual, duo, and family categories, expecting a well-organized 5km and 10km race set to start at 6:00 a.m. and 6:10 a.m., respectively.
Police Intervention at the Scene
Authorities Respond to Growing Frustration
As confusion mounted, Prawet police arrived at the park to manage the situation. A woman, believed to be associated with the event, faced the anger of disappointed runners, with one individual attempting to confront her physically before she was escorted to the police station for questioning. Approximately 100 runners followed to file formal complaints, seeking answers and accountability for the failed event.
Organizers Face Interrogation
Event Planners Admit to Logistical Failures
Two organizers, Monruedee Aepthonglang, 42, and Suchanan Doroman, 31, were questioned for eight hours at Prawet police station. They revealed that around 1,800 participants had registered for the event. The organizers admitted to facing significant issues with suppliers at the last minute, which prevented them from executing the event. They noted that this was their first attempt at organizing a running event.
Apologies and Promises of Compensation
Organizers Pledge to Make Amends
Following the interrogation, Monruedee and Suchanan issued public apologies to the affected runners, acknowledging their shortcomings. They committed to compensating participants to the best of their ability, though details on the refund process remain unclear. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for stricter oversight of event planning to prevent similar disappointments in the future.
