‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ project promotes fitness activities in new normal

Bangkok, 31 July 2020 – H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism and Sports, recently presided over the official launch of the “Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19” project, inviting Thais all over the country to join a virtual run and fitness campaign and build immunity to stay fit in the New Normal.

Minister Phiphat said, “Thailand’s fight against the COVID-19 virus is continuously improving; however, the public must still take care of their health and be strong. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports together with other public and private sector partners has launched the ‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ to promote fitness activities, so that everyone can build their own immunity while maintaining social distancing.”

Initiated by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), the project is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Department of Health, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Department of Physical Education, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, and the Athletics Association of Thailand.

Dr. Kongsad Yodmanee, SAT Governor, said, “Fitness actives are still not back to 100%, so the ‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ project helps fill the void left from the cancellation of sporting events and needs to maintain social distancing during the New Normal era. Everyone can participate in this virtual running and exercise activities.”

The project, “Thailand strong Fit Fight COVID-19”, is divided into two activities, which are Virtual Run and Virtual Fit in three series over three months from August (Heart), September (Passion) and October (Mind).

Thais all over the country will be encouraged to join in a Virtual Run for a total of 450 million steps and participate in a Virtual Fit for a total of nine million minutes.

For the Virtual Run, there will be a 10-km training programme in one month for participants to practice. The goal is to have up to 15,000 runners join in and run up to 150 million steps per month for a total of 450 million steps throughout the project.

Meanwhile, the Virtual Fit will offer at least 150 minutes a week (35 minutes per session) of training guided by professionals. It targets an additional 15,000 participants for a total of nine million minutes.

Participants can follow the Virtual Fit training session by Thailand’s leading fitness trainers, national athletes and celebrities, including “Pancake” Khemnit Jamikorn, Matthew Dean, “Art” Pasutut Banyam, “Ja” Nattha Wiranuch Thongmee, “Tao” Somchai Pabrom, “Darling” Arada Arayawut, “May” Ratchanok Inthanon, “Tennis” Panipak Wongpattanakit, Pleumchit Tin Khao, Somchit Jongjohor, and Chatchai Butdee, to name just a few.

Participants in the Virtual Run and Virtual Fit will be invited to share their fitness activities and results on social media every month to track their progress.

Mr. Kitsana Kaewtumrong, Executive Director of the Advertising and Public Relations Department, TAT, said, “The ‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ project will help enhance physical health and fitness for the public. The project is also in line with the TAT’s strategy to promote sports tourism events including marathons, trail running and biking events, offering both the opportunity to boost one’s health and fitness and to enjoy the Amazing Thailand travel experience.”

Both activities are available to Thais all over the country to apply for free. The first 1,000 people who apply for the first series will receive a complementary Thailand Strong Pack bag. Additional Virtual Run shirts and commemorative coins are available for 299 Baht per series. Virtual Fit shirts are priced from 199 Baht per series each with 20 Baht of each purchase donated to the Rajavithi Hospital Foundation to purchase medical tools and equipment.

For more information go to http://thailandstrong.com/ or Facebook thailandstrong.