On the heels of Toon Bodyslam’s long charity run for healthcare, a veteran runner for peace in the far South is planning his final campaign marathon - but in the opposite direction, from Mae Sai in Chiang Rai to Betong in Yala.
Back in 2005, when he was 45, then Pol Sen Sgt Maj Plam Promjumpa first ran the Mae Sai-Betong route. He retired in his 50s and became a boxing coach.
He covered the 2,000-odd kilometres 12 years ago to create awareness of the soldiers who had died doing their duty protecting the far South from the insurgency, while promoting peace and friendship in the violence-stricken region.
He now plans to do it again, for the third time.
He said he has covered a total of 8,000km throughout his running career, all in the cause of promoting peace.
The veteran runner also ran on the 80th birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Plam Promjumpa posted on Dec 27 on his Facebook account that he will be running one last time, from April 13 to May 23, 2018, from Mae Sai in Chiang Rai to Betong in Yala.
He headlined his post, “Marking my running journey with 7 kilogrammes of chains...the 2,000km stretch with 3,500,000 steps begins here with Plam Promjumpa”.
“I have already done this run twice, the only difference now being that I will put metal chains on my ankles with a combined weight of 7kg to increase the difficulty. I wish to end my running career with a world record,” Plam said.
He dedicated this planned final run to all of his friends, men and women in service, and teachers who have sacrificed their lives while on duty in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand, and extended his appreciation for the efforts of all four branches of the Thai armed services.
Plam invited everybody, including soldiers, to join him on this 40-day “Warrior for Warrior” campaign, and has also set up an account for donations.