#MainStand Ving Thailand: A Thai brand that wants to change the belief that "wearing sandals is enough to finish a marathon."
Known as "sandals," many assume comfort, lightness, and ease of wear. Even though some YouTube creators question whether they truly provide comfort?
The term "marathon runner" is immediately recognizable by its energy and difficulty, reflecting serious commitment to the sport. Therefore, "sandals for marathon running" is something that does not fit together.
But that is not "Wati Wichirananit," a young programmer who has never invested in a business before.
He decided to launch a running sandals brand named "Ving Thailand" (pronounced "V-ing"), because he was suddenly struck by an opportunity to switch to sandals during a full marathon, which sparked his interest.
He therefore came to develop and launch his own "marathon sandals" brand with the intention of changing his beliefs and raising awareness among Thais that "sandals" offer greater value than previously thought, including the fact that marathon running does not require spending a large amount on expensive running shoes, as you can enjoy the experience of conquering long-distance goals with skilled Thai-made sandals.
[By chance]
Ving Thailand is a Thai startup shoe brand founded by Watae Chiewanit, a programmer who has been interested in running and exercise for approximately three years.
During my free time, I always go to the race. Even when I meet a life-changing moment while participating in the "Buriram Marathon" in February 2019.
He suffered an injury from a pair of expensive canvas shoes, so he decided to take off his favorite gear, put on barefoot socks, and walk barefoot on the street to reach his destination.
Before that, I had never realized that sandals could be worn for marathons. While I've seen people wearing running sandals at events before, I didn't think about it. Viat, owner of Ving Thailand, began speaking at the Main Stand.
Over the past two to three years, I have started buying running shoes from my first pair, which was on sale for over 1,000,000 baht, before finally settling on a pair priced around 7,000 baht. However, the most expensive pair allowed me to run half a marathon because the shoes were too restrictive, causing severe pain and blisters that made it impossible to continue running.
I have never run barefoot before. At that time, I had to remove my running shoes and only socks to run, which lasted for a while. I went to a convenience store and bought sandals to wear on my running shoes until the full marathon was completed.
Every step forward with sandals brings a unique experience unlike any found in foreign shoe brands, as sandals allow him to run comfortably without foot pain, perfectly aligning with Watai's running style that prioritizes fun over speed. He believes that people who think like him are few in Thailand.
After finishing the Buriram Marathon 2019, Watthi Wichirananit began exploring the use of marathon running sandals, discovering that several brands are currently producing such products on the market.
In Thailand, some dealers import marathon sandals for sale, though the proportion is limited due to a narrow buyer market. Many people rely on word-of-mouth recommendations rather than formal brand marketing. This presents an opportunity for "Wati" to capitalize on this.
He believes that many Thai runners have encountered issues with foreign brands' shoe designs that do not suit our foot anatomy, often resulting in tightness, discomfort, and easy injury.
Wati questions herself: How good would it be if a Thai brand understood the problem and could adapt its design to fit Thai feet? These are high-performance sandals that grip well on various surfaces, are soft and comfortable, and offer an affordable price point. Moreover, they guarantee that you can run your marathon to a finish.
[No capital, but fire]
After accidentally trying on sandals for the first time, "Wati Wichit" spent seven months studying, developing, and designing until he found shoes that met his needs. He sought out a factory ready to manufacture them.
But stuck on just one issue...
It is a sum of millions of baht required to launch our first batch of products because we must remember that Vati is merely a single employee with debt obligations such as housing. Once he seeks a bank loan, approval may be difficult. Therefore, he has devised a path to overcome this major challenge.
I decided to launch the world's first Virtual Run event, where participants will receive the first pair of shoes from Ving Thailand, with my fundraising efforts covering the production costs for the initial 4,000 pairs.
That virtual run drew nearly 1,000 applicants, whom I believe was both a capital infusion and an opportunity to introduce our brand to Thai runners. I believe that those who received the product will encounter a unique experience when wearing our running sandals and have the chance to become reviewers who share my products with others.
Ving Thailand's fundraising strategy for those who have no money on hand at the start of their business is an interesting and commendable approach, as the first pair of sandals was released directly to real runners, generating valuable feedback that revealed areas needing improvement and driving the development of higher-quality products.
And most importantly, it helps him cross the barrier to fully build his brand.
[Touch the horizon]
VING Thailand's goal is not to replace canvas shoes but to become the health-conscious shoes everyone should own, whether for serious runners or those who want to run joyfully without injury.
Because wearing canvas shoes during both running and practice can be detrimental, as most canvas shoes are designed to force us to repeatedly engage the same muscles, whereas sandals are thoughtfully engineered to allow us to use all muscle groups, similar to barefoot running, which strengthens the foot muscles more effectively than wearing canvas shoes.
Witthai Vichirananit believes that in the future, Ving Thailand can grow both domestically and internationally.
Even in Thailand, the general public may not believe that Thai brands like "sandals" have the potential to evolve into shoes designed for marathon runners, including among fellow runners themselves. Some still view people wearing running sandals as "not professional" or "not serious about running."
Ving Thailand therefore has the intention of developing technology for sandals even better than the expensive canvas shoes, using the same materials as shoes.
In the future, we will launch the world's first carbon-fiber sandals designed specifically for marathon runners and trail runners who require high-quality shoes to achieve their goals.
Complementing our marketing campaign, we promote by the runners we support to transform perceptions and create new awareness among Thai consumers of sandals, leveraging colors that resonate with local audiences—just seeing it is enough to recognize it as a Ving product.
We are the world's first sandal brand with our own running team, featuring elite runners who have used our sandals to win medals in various competitions. This proves that Thai-made shoes from our factory are just as good as any other.
However, our core mission is to make Ving Thailand shoes that empower Thai athletes to change their workout mindset, making it fun and comfortable without requiring high investment or enduring long-term injury. If we enjoy what we do, we will ensure it performs excellently.
Interview / Edited by: Angkot Moenkhloyalongwrite)
Illustration: Pharatthaphat Pharatthaphat
#StandForAll #Running #Marathon #sandals # Running Ving Thailand : Marathon Sandal - marathon running sandals
Known as "sandals," many assume comfort, lightness, and ease of wear. Even though some YouTube creators question whether they truly provide comfort?
The term "marathon runner" is immediately recognizable by its energy and difficulty, reflecting serious commitment to the sport. Therefore, "sandals for marathon running" is something that does not fit together.
But that is not "Wati Wichirananit," a young programmer who has never invested in a business before.
He decided to launch a running sandals brand named "Ving Thailand" (pronounced "V-ing"), because he was suddenly struck by an opportunity to switch to sandals during a full marathon, which sparked his interest.
He therefore came to develop and launch his own "marathon sandals" brand with the intention of changing his beliefs and raising awareness among Thais that "sandals" offer greater value than previously thought, including the fact that marathon running does not require spending a large amount on expensive running shoes, as you can enjoy the experience of conquering long-distance goals with skilled Thai-made sandals.
[By chance]
Ving Thailand is a Thai startup shoe brand founded by Watae Chiewanit, a programmer who has been interested in running and exercise for approximately three years.
During my free time, I always go to the race. Even when I meet a life-changing moment while participating in the "Buriram Marathon" in February 2019.
He suffered an injury from a pair of expensive canvas shoes, so he decided to take off his favorite gear, put on barefoot socks, and walk barefoot on the street to reach his destination.
Before that, I had never realized that sandals could be worn for marathons. While I've seen people wearing running sandals at events before, I didn't think about it. Viat, owner of Ving Thailand, began speaking at the Main Stand.
Over the past two to three years, I have started buying running shoes from my first pair, which was on sale for over 1,000,000 baht, before finally settling on a pair priced around 7,000 baht. However, the most expensive pair allowed me to run half a marathon because the shoes were too restrictive, causing severe pain and blisters that made it impossible to continue running.
I have never run barefoot before. At that time, I had to remove my running shoes and only socks to run, which lasted for a while. I went to a convenience store and bought sandals to wear on my running shoes until the full marathon was completed.
Every step forward with sandals brings a unique experience unlike any found in foreign shoe brands, as sandals allow him to run comfortably without foot pain, perfectly aligning with Watai's running style that prioritizes fun over speed. He believes that people who think like him are few in Thailand.
After finishing the Buriram Marathon 2019, Watthi Wichirananit began exploring the use of marathon running sandals, discovering that several brands are currently producing such products on the market.
In Thailand, some dealers import marathon sandals for sale, though the proportion is limited due to a narrow buyer market. Many people rely on word-of-mouth recommendations rather than formal brand marketing. This presents an opportunity for "Wati" to capitalize on this.
He believes that many Thai runners have encountered issues with foreign brands' shoe designs that do not suit our foot anatomy, often resulting in tightness, discomfort, and easy injury.
Wati questions herself: How good would it be if a Thai brand understood the problem and could adapt its design to fit Thai feet? These are high-performance sandals that grip well on various surfaces, are soft and comfortable, and offer an affordable price point. Moreover, they guarantee that you can run your marathon to a finish.
[No capital, but fire]
After accidentally trying on sandals for the first time, "Wati Wichit" spent seven months studying, developing, and designing until he found shoes that met his needs. He sought out a factory ready to manufacture them.
But stuck on just one issue...
It is a sum of millions of baht required to launch our first batch of products because we must remember that Vati is merely a single employee with debt obligations such as housing. Once he seeks a bank loan, approval may be difficult. Therefore, he has devised a path to overcome this major challenge.
I decided to launch the world's first Virtual Run event, where participants will receive the first pair of shoes from Ving Thailand, with my fundraising efforts covering the production costs for the initial 4,000 pairs.
That virtual run drew nearly 1,000 applicants, whom I believe was both a capital infusion and an opportunity to introduce our brand to Thai runners. I believe that those who received the product will encounter a unique experience when wearing our running sandals and have the chance to become reviewers who share my products with others.
Ving Thailand's fundraising strategy for those who have no money on hand at the start of their business is an interesting and commendable approach, as the first pair of sandals was released directly to real runners, generating valuable feedback that revealed areas needing improvement and driving the development of higher-quality products.
And most importantly, it helps him cross the barrier to fully build his brand.
[Touch the horizon]
VING Thailand's goal is not to replace canvas shoes but to become the health-conscious shoes everyone should own, whether for serious runners or those who want to run joyfully without injury.
Because wearing canvas shoes during both running and practice can be detrimental, as most canvas shoes are designed to force us to repeatedly engage the same muscles, whereas sandals are thoughtfully engineered to allow us to use all muscle groups, similar to barefoot running, which strengthens the foot muscles more effectively than wearing canvas shoes.
Witthai Vichirananit believes that in the future, Ving Thailand can grow both domestically and internationally.
Even in Thailand, the general public may not believe that Thai brands like "sandals" have the potential to evolve into shoes designed for marathon runners, including among fellow runners themselves. Some still view people wearing running sandals as "not professional" or "not serious about running."
Ving Thailand therefore has the intention of developing technology for sandals even better than the expensive canvas shoes, using the same materials as shoes.
In the future, we will launch the world's first carbon-fiber sandals designed specifically for marathon runners and trail runners who require high-quality shoes to achieve their goals.
Complementing our marketing campaign, we promote by the runners we support to transform perceptions and create new awareness among Thai consumers of sandals, leveraging colors that resonate with local audiences—just seeing it is enough to recognize it as a Ving product.
We are the world's first sandal brand with our own running team, featuring elite runners who have used our sandals to win medals in various competitions. This proves that Thai-made shoes from our factory are just as good as any other.
However, our core mission is to make Ving Thailand shoes that empower Thai athletes to change their workout mindset, making it fun and comfortable without requiring high investment or enduring long-term injury. If we enjoy what we do, we will ensure it performs excellently.
Interview / Edited by: Angkot Moenkhloyalongwrite)
Illustration: Pharatthaphat Pharatthaphat
#StandForAll #Running #Marathon #sandals # Running Ving Thailand : Marathon Sandal - marathon running sandals
