Here's a new one - a fake marathon scam

[Gaybutton]

450 to 1500 baht application fees - and then no marathon. What was it P.T. Barnum said about one born every minute? Sometimes it seems like it's many more than just one . . .
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'Fake marathon': Organisers a no-show at Bangkok public park

May 25 2025

Runners complained that the organisers of an event at the Suanluang Rama 9 park in Bangkok's Prawet district on Sunday morning failed to appear.

Hundreds of runners – including groups of family members – waited in vain for the organisers of “Run for Destination 2025” early on Sunday morning. They found the starting arch, tents, mobile toilets, ambulances, paramedics and an event announcer – but no organisers.

The organisers earlier promised to give away bags, jerseys, smartwatches and running shoes. Participants were encouraged to apply for individual, family and duo running. Application fees ranged from 450 to 1,500 baht.

The Run Destination page, which had about 6,200 followers on Facebook, continued to promote the upcoming event at the well-known public park until late Saturday night. The 10-kilometre race was scheduled to start at 6am, and the 5km race ten minutes later.

Police from Prawet station arrived at the scene to handle the situation. A woman and some runners were brought to the station for interrogation. Before their departure, several runners shouted at the woman in frustration and one person tried to snatch her out of a police pickup.

About 100 runners followed to the Prawet police station to file complaints. Pol Col Tosapol Ampaipipatkul, chief of the station, said two running event organisers said that about 1,800 people had signed up for the events.

Organisers Monruedee Aepthonglang, 42, and Suchanan Doroman, 31, arrived at the police station for eight-hour interrogation. Afterwards they told reporters Sunday evening that there were too many problems with suppliers shortly before the event and thus they could not realise it.

They said it was their first running event and they apologised for the incident. They promised to compensate runners concerned as much as they could.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ublic-park

[Jun]

1 More than the Thai daily minimum wage to enter a marathon ? Really ?
2 What stops people running the 26 miles anyway ?
3

They said it was their first running event and they apologised for the incident. They promised to compensate runners concerned as much as they could.

That's the result after an 8 hour police interrogation ? It seems a bit lenient to me. I wonder whose compensation the police were most interested in.

[Gaybutton]

They said it was their first running event

And based on what took place, hopefully their last.

It just amazes me how scammers always seem to be able to come up with something new. And now in the infancy of AI, I shudder to think what the next set of scams will be.

[Dodger]

......What stops people running the 26 miles anyway ?

Good question.

I attend the annual 10km Bang Saray Marathon - but only as a spectator to enjoy the eye candy.

I walk 3km daily (21km/week) which is equivalent to two 10km marathons. I prefer walking alone...can't start my day without it...and appreciate the benefits of "meditation" while walking as much as the physical benefits. Walking a marathon wouldn't do anything for me - and what I'm doing now is free. I can buy my own t shirts.

[Gaybutton]

What stops people running the 26 miles anyway ?

Nothing, but that is hardly the point. The point is the people who were paid to provide the marathon and all that goes with it did not live up to what they were paid to do and came up with one of the most lame excuses I've seen yet.

If the people who paid the fee ever get so much as a single baht refunded, I'll be surprised.