Jae Mook, a City Run runner who has started to run to change his life, shared her perspective on an increased safety on the pavement after 5 year journey,
According to a Bangkok’s LGBTQ+ new star, “Jae Mook” or Sawas Kanya, the running tracks throughout Bangkok have changed a lot. First, the sidewalks now are friendlier for runners as they are spacious and organized. Second, it is safer to run at night because of over 20,000 CCTV cameras installed throughout the city. Third, with Smart bus stops that provide phone charging stations, running experience is more convenient, as almost everyone that needs to use GPS from the phone to navigate their running can charge their phones in public when it almost dies. Last, there are more interconnected running tracks between parks.
City Run routes and places where runners like to run in Bangkok are as follow;
- Rattanakosin Island – Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Tha Tian, Silpakorn University Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, City Pillar Shrine, Sanam Luang, Saranrom Park, Ministry of Defense
- Ratchadamnoen Klang – Bang Lamphu – Phra Sumen Road – Democracy Monument Path along the Chao Phraya River Phra Sumen Fort, Chana Songkhram Temple, Khaosan Road, Bowonniwet Temple, Ratchanada Temple
- Giant Swing Area – Giant Swing, Suthat Temple, City Hall, Golden Mountain, Ratchabophit Temple, Ratchapradit Temple, Rommaninat Park
- Ratchadamnoen Nok – the courtyard of the royal statue of horses Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall Wat Benchamabophit Government House Chitralada Palace
- Thonburi side – Buddha Bridge, Kudeejeen area, Kalayanamit Temple Wichai Prasit Fort Hong Rattanaram Temple Wat Arun Ratchawararam, Rakhang Temple
- Yaowarat Area – Yaowarat Road, Songwat Road, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Traimit Temple, Hua Lamphong
- Charoen Krung Road – Talat Noi, Kalwa Church, Portuguese Embassy, Soi Charoenkrung 32, Bangrak Post Office Roi Chak Sam Tax House
- Siam Square Area – Paragon Central World Erawan Shrine, Lum Suan Chula, Samyan Mitrtown Tunnel
- Bangkachao
The advantage of running in the city (City Run) is convenience. With just a pair of shoes and a smartphone, you can go out to exercise from the front door of the house right away and track your running performance. However, there are essential reminders when you run such as running against traffic, wearing visible outfits, keeping the music in the ears down, and keeping social distancing.