Thailand eyes to become sports tourism destination

BANGKOK, February 2 (TNA) - The state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will organize an international running marathon event, dubbed the "Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2018", the first of its kind in the country on February 4, aimed to promote the Thai Kingdom as one of the world's sports tourism destinations. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told journalists that about 23,500 runners from across the world will join the upcoming Sunday's activity in Bangkok, which is expected to generate about 680 million baht of tourism-related revenues. Yuthasak stated that the participating global runners will pass several globally-renowned landmarks in the Thai capital, including the Royal Plaza, the Temple of the Golden Mount or Wat Saket, the Metal Castle or Loha Prasat of the Ratchanadda Temple and the Democracy Monument on the Ratchadamnoen Avenue, as well as the Rama VII Bridge and the Rajamangala Stadium in Hua Mak area. The TAT governor said TAT plans to organize such the international running marathon event in the city every year and he expects the "Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok" should be included in the world's annual running marathon calendar within three years. (TNA)