Thousands join in March 11 charity marathon

BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) - Thousands of foreign nationals, especially Japanese, and Thais early on Sunday participated in a charity marathon at the National Stadium in central Bangkok, commemorating the first anniversary of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan and left about 19,000 dead or missing. The event, sponsored jointly by several organisations including Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the JICA Alumni Association of Thailand, commemorated the first anniversary of the deadly devastation in Japan. It was also held to remind people of the flood disaster that hit Thailand late last year which left more than 800 people perished. The participants of which many women dressed in kimono and many held placards offering morale to the Japanese prayed to those killed in Japan and in Thailand. Japanese children, accompanied by their parents at the National Stadium, were told of the great tragedy and losses that took place at their home. They were also told to offer prayers to boost morale to their fellow countrymen. (TNA)