Reinforcing a World-Class Night Running Experience and Elevating Samui as a Leading Destination in Asia
- Kickstarting on 30 May 2026 with intense excitement and amazing prizes. Register now, from today until 15 May 2026. https://www.runlah.com/th/csnr2026.
Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s leading real estate developer for sustainability and operator of Central Samui, is joining hands with public and private sector partners, including the Koh Samui City Municipality Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): Koh Samui Office, the Tourism Council of Surat Thani, the Tourism Association of Koh Samui and hotel operators to hold the ‘Central Samui Neon Run 2026’ for the fifth consecutive year on 30 May 2026. The cooperation aims to elevate the nighttime running event into a world-class night running experience, the only one of its kind in Asia and further promotes the ‘festival economy’ and ‘sports & lifestyle tourism’ with the most unique nighttime running event in Asia.
Dr. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, Chief Marketing Officer for Central Pattana plc, said: “Surat Thani province, which is home to Koh Samui, ranks among the top four in Thailand for tourism potential, reflecting significant opportunities to further develop the island into an international destination that requires ‘quality events’ to drive travel demand and create new experiences for tourists. The Central Samui Neon Run is one of Central Pattana’s signature events used to promote the ‘festival economy’ and experiential tourism, and the success of Central Samui’s neon run in 2025 welcomed over 2,000 runners, representing more than 30% growth from the previous year.
Meanwhile, the event reflects the potential to reach an international level, with a diverse proportion of foreign runners with the top five being from Russia, Israel, France, Germany and Australia, while Thai runners are from several key provinces including Surat Thani, Bangkok, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chonburi and Samut Prakan, reflecting the growth of both domestic and international markets. In 2026, we aim to elevate the event to attract a global community of over 3,000 people.”
“The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): Koh Samui office has systematically developed a Tourism Calendar for Samui through five main pillars: Gastronomy, Sport, Wellness, Art & Festivals and Sustainable Tourism. The Central Samui Neon Run serves as a key driving factor in Sports Tourism, which comprehensively connects sport, lifestyle and the night economy together to create an ecosystem with local partners and attracts both Thai and international runners as well as generating added value for the economy to ultimately drive Samui towards becoming one of the top sustainable tourist destinations in the Gulf of Thailand and Asia,” Dr. Nattakit added.
This year, the running event elevates the competitive experience to cover all groups with a 10 km Mini Marathon and a 5 km Fun Run along the route, with surrounding landmarks of Chaweng Beach, one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches that seamlessly blends the natural charm, lifestyle and nightlife of Koh Samui. The highlight of the event is designed to extend beyond a running event, it is a ‘Night Run & Lifestyle Festival’ connecting all aspects of the experience, including:
- Running Experience – running along Chaweng Beach at night.
- Neon & Light Experience – the landmarks are illuminated with atmospheric glowing lights.
- Full-form Entertainment Experience and After Party from Earth, The Voice Thailand 2019.
- Beach Lifestyle Experience – showcasing the charm of Koh Samui’s beaches and nightlife to an international audience.
The race will start from Central Samui, through Chaweng Road and South Chaweng Beach and loop back to the finish line at the starting point. Participants will experience unique nightlife as well as entertainment activities throughout the day starting from 10:00 AM onwards.
Those who wish to participate in the Samui Neon Run may enroll from today until 15 May 2026 (Enrollment fee: 650 baht or US$18 for 10 km and 550 baht or US$15 for 5 km) via the website: https://www.runlah.com/th/csnr2026
Prepare yourself and join us for a run on Saturday, 30 May 2026 (starting time 7:00 PM) at Central Samui.
