On February 16, 2024, at the front plaza of Hua Hin Market Village, Prachuap Khiri Khan, key officials gathered for a press conference to announce the upcoming “Cross Country Run at Thungkham Reservoir: 2nd Edition of Net Zero Emission.” Among those present were Mr. Pholkrut Phuangwalaiyasin, Hua Hin District Chief; Mr. Kaew Kongwong, Cha-am District Chief; Dr. Nong Thepmek, Head of the Forestry Department in Petchaburi Branch 10; Mr. Peerapat Manichot, Head of Management and System Development Section, linked to royal initiatives; and Miss Charirat Suwannawong, a forestry practitioner from Petchaburi.
The event, co-organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and The Veras Hua Hin – A Viva Collection, aims to promote health and wellness tourism, taking place from February 16 to 18, 2024, at Khao Takiab Beach. Free yoga classes from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM along the beachfront seek to encourage physical well-being and position Hua Hin as a premier destination for health-oriented tourism.
Amidst honored guests and media representatives, Mr. Atchavun Kangkanoon, Director of TAT in Prachuap Khiri Khan, delivered a comprehensive report on the event’s organization. This collaboration underscores collective efforts to establish Hua Hin as a holistic travel destination.
As the sun sets over Khao Takiab Beach, participants immerse themselves in yoga, symbolizing a weekend dedicated to rejuvenation and well-being. The Hua Hin Yoga Festival, now in its fourth edition, continues to play a vital role in the intersection of tourism, health, and community engagement in this coastal haven.
In the later part of the press conference, officials discussed the Thungkham Reservoir project initiated in 2023. The reservoir, linked to royal initiatives, involves the creation of six water storage units across Chaiyaphum and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. Noteworthy projects include reforestation, tourism promotion, and the construction of a memorial statue in honor of King Rama IX.
The press conference served as a prelude to the Cross Country Run at Thungkham Reservoir, scheduled for March 3, 2024. This charitable run, organized by the Hua Hin Lions Club and the Thungkham Reservoir Conservation Society, aims to generate funds for midday meals for seven local schools and contribute to the maintenance of a 100-acre reforestation area, initiated in 2023.
The race categories include a half marathon (21 km), a mini-marathon (11 km), and a fun run (3 km), with prestigious trophies to be awarded. Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phuksuk, Minister of Defense for Region 1, and Mr. Chuchat Rakchit, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, graced the inaugural ceremony on July 29, 2023.
The event seeks to raise carbon credits, promote tourism at Thungkham Reservoir, boost the local economy, and encourage public participation in physical activities, fostering a healthy community. Registration is now open, with the expectation that at least a thousand participants from across the country will join this meaningful event.
