webfact 85859 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 It's a Thai rip off as marathon organizers take the money and run! "Bare Faced Con" As Thailand's tourism authorities trumpet the country as a hub of sports comes embarrassing news from a marathon that never was. More than a thousand Thai and foreign runners arrived in Phitsanulok to take part in a marathon and other runs but they were left standing as organizers pocketed the cash and disappeared. The eager runners had paid 400-600 baht for ten km, half marathon and full marathon runs. They were promised "loft accommodation" but when they arrived it was a floor in an old school building. There were no bibs or T-shirts as promised. In addition there were: no starters, no medals or trophies, no official timers and no signage of distances. The runners demanded why they had been conned out of a million baht while the organizers cancelled the event scheduled for October 15th at the last minute. Most people had paid online. It was billed as the "Noen Maprang Scenic Marathon 2017", reported Tnews citing comments made on the popular Facebook page of Mem Pho Dam. Tnews publish a picture of runners with the headline in red: "Bare Faced Con". A total of 1,500 people were expected to take part. The organizers have said that money will be handed back on November 15th but due to the fact that many people have so far been unsuccessful in getting their cash back many runners are doubtful they will see anything returned. Thailand's Ministry for Tourism and Sports has been talking up the country as a hub of sports highlighting the marathon due to be held in Bangkok on February 4th as a fine example of what Thailand has to offer. Source: TNews -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-11-10 Link to post Share on other sites
darksidedog 52263 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 It would probably be a much easier task for TAT to promote the country as it truly is. The hub of cons and rip offs. Link to post Share on other sites
Moonmoon 2013 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Amazing Thailand strikes again, just when I thought I have seen it all, they come up with this new marathon scam... Link to post Share on other sites
Misterwhisper 16326 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 How ironic we just had that following news piece today: Link to post Share on other sites
bubba45 320 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Priceless. Link to post Share on other sites
petermik 18328 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Love it.......it could only happen here.......... p.s. I,m thinking of holding a tiddly winks world championship in the near future...would I need a work permit..... Link to post Share on other sites
saakura 4841 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 I have been taking part in these runs (mini, half, super-half marathons) in Bangkok and other cities for the last about 18 years, so several hundred runs. Most of them are well organised, a few could have been done better but only very few were poorly organised, but never been cheated. I hope the authorities track down the organisers and take action. Link to post Share on other sites
yellowboat 16076 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 That's too bad. Anymore things like this happen and Thailand and kiss these sorts of activities good bye. Link to post Share on other sites
clayto58 65 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 So! They run out of money. Link to post Share on other sites
Pattaya28 3677 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Yep. No Nothing. Link to post Share on other sites
fabphil 247 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 They Just cant help themselves, but then again its just what they did... Link to post Share on other sites
burgdawg 272 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 'Yawn... so what's new? Man bites dog....dog bites man. Kon Thai rips off everyone in sight. Biz as usual.....nothing will change. Link to post Share on other sites
rkidlad 32011 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 The saddest part of the story isn't that they stole money from these runners. It's that they stole a perfect opportunity for many of these runners to post selfies on social networks informing the world of what they're up to. Many of these people may have been running for a charity and are now not going to get the recognition and validation their lives are so badly missing. Link to post Share on other sites
computeck 1 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 at least they did not need to run a full marathon. Link to post Share on other sites
sammieuk1 21034 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Was there still a road or has that gone.? Link to post Share on other sites
burgdawg 272 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 ...the marathon organizers are plotting their next move. They cannot believe all these runners and athletic types were so stupid as to actually ADVANCE THEM MONEY so that they can run around a 'burg like Phitsanulok! Good laugh. They are lounging on some islands, laughing themselves silly. The issue is this--kon Thai have no concept of tomorrow. Because there is no tomorrow, all is NOW. Get used to it. For fun and grins, try explaining "compound interest" to any kon Thai. Report back here whenever...tomorrow? Hahhahahahah! Link to post Share on other sites
theguyfromanotherforum 6785 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 36 minutes ago, bubba45 said: Priceless. Not really. If they paid with MasterCard, they could do a chargeback. Link to post Share on other sites
Lee4Life 671 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 31 minutes ago, clayto58 said: So! They run out of money. No..they run off with money Link to post Share on other sites
NextStationBangkok 1627 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Probably it is a new trend called "Eco-Run", and make the runners naked without bib and t-shirt? Also drink tap(or klong) water, and run as much as you like ? But don't forget to pay for good cause? Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew65 3715 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 39 minutes ago, petermik said: Love it.......it could only happen here.......... p.s. I,m thinking of holding a tiddly winks world championship in the near future...would I need a work permit..... Depends on if you're gonna be tiddly or winking!!! Link to post Share on other sites
AlphMichaels 609 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 "Runners" re-defined. Link to post Share on other sites
Cadbury 16606 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 3 hours ago, webfact said: As Thailand's tourism authorities trumpet the country as a hub of sports I wonder if TAT is promoting this Sports and Marathon Hub theme at their stand at the Wold Largest Tourism Convention in London. Despite Thailand's reputation as being the Hub of Scams. Link to post Share on other sites
dotpoom 8185 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Let me get this straight. A few guys pocket the takings and ut is considered a "Thai rip off". So, if a bank robber robs a bank in the USA.....that would be considered an "American rip off"? Link to post Share on other sites
geisha 1621 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Other countries have regulations and laws, which are generally upheld. Link to post Share on other sites
car720 8021 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 They should change the name back to Siam to reflect the reality of the country. Link to post Share on other sites
retarius 1598 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Very funny indeed......you have to laugh at the cheek of these conmen. I hope they escape justice and the long arm of the law and get to spend the money having a good time. Link to post Share on other sites
CantSpell 2393 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 They did a runner at a marathon :) Link to post Share on other sites
Felt 35 657 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 1 hour ago, saakura said: I have been taking part in these runs (mini, half, super-half marathons) in Bangkok and other cities for the last about 18 years, so several hundred runs. Most of them are well organised, a few could have been done better but only very few were poorly organised, but never been cheated. I hope the authorities track down the organisers and take action. ....many things up there on the result list....... Link to post Share on other sites
kotsak 10731 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Gives the saying "take the money and run" a new perspective. Link to post Share on other sites
IAMHERE 3224 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 2 hours ago, petermik said: Love it.......it could only happen here.......... p.s. I,m thinking of holding a tiddly winks world championship in the near future...would I need a work permit..... Similar to Bridge; need a gambling license perhaps. Link to post Share on other sites
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