One of the other active Hash Chapter/Kennel groups in Thailand takes place down in Phuket, which other than Bangkok contains the highest level of foreigners of any place in Thailand.
They don't have as much nature access as we do, but they make up for it with enthusiasm.
They are just as silly as we are but do have more vehicles involved in getting to their sites than we do. Just like in Chiang Mai they have a rather strict no drinking and driving rule, and we like that. Phuket's roads are considerably more dangerous than in Chiang Mai and we don't need to add to that.
The sitting on the ice tradition is alive and well in Phuket and I've noticed that this is a thing all around the world, even in places where it is cold. Sometimes they can't get giant ice blocks though and have seen places with a wheelbarrow filled with cubes. Whatever works is fine!
IT was nice to see so many women involved although just like in Chiang Mai, most of them are the wives or girlfriends of expat members of the Hash. There were a few that were there without a partner though, which I have to say is extremely rare in Thailand.
I did notice something else while i was visiting and while this isn't necessarily a problem it is just an observation. Most of the PHHH is older men as well. Very few of the participants were under 40 years of age other than the children who were there because the parents dragged them along.
This isn't an issue yet, but the lack of bringing in new members, basically around the world, is going to be a problem one day. Our numbers are thinning on a global scale and if you don't replace them with new members eventually the entire thing will literally die out.
I had a good time visiting these guys and went on two runs with them. They do have the misfortune of not having a great deal of actual nature to run on because almost all of Phuket is cement and buildings, there just isn't any farmland left and as far as I can tell there aren't any national parks. This is what happens when an island in a tourism-oriented nation because extremely popular I guess.
I do plan on visiting them again though, these guys know how that make the best of a situation, that is for sure.
On On!
