A recent event in Beijing, co-hosted by the Chiang Mai Provincial Government, Thailand’s National Sports Authority, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Beijing Office), launched the “2025 China-Thailand Sports Running Tourism Exchange Series.” Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the initiative aims to enrich sporting and cultural experiences for Chinese runners and travelers.
Pan Qiuyue, Minister-Counselor of the Thai Embassy in China, highlighted the event as a practical step to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. “By exploring innovative ‘sports + tourism’ models, we hope to build a bridge for bilateral exchanges in sports, culture, economy, and friendship,” she said.
Ning Huang, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Beijing Office, revealed Thailand has designated 2025 as the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year.” Key activities include marathons, trail runs, triathlons, and cycling events integrated with cultural experiences—allowing international participants to visit temples, artisanal villages, and savor local cuisine along race routes. Special benefits will be offered to Chinese runners in the Chiang Mai by UTMB trail race, Chiang Mai International Marathon, and Chiang Mai 24-Hour Challenge.
At a parallel forum on sports tourism integration, industry experts from both nations discussed how to drive local economic growth through this sector. They noted that marathons and trail races have become icons of China’s “sports +” economy, calling for differentiated positioning, technological empowerment, and cross-industry collaboration to unlock further potential while prioritizing safety and sustainability.
This initiative not only showcases Thailand’s commitment to blending athletics with cultural heritage but also underscores the growing role of sports tourism in Sino-Thai bilateral relations, offering Chinese travelers unique active experiences beyond traditional sightseeing.
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