Runner Spans Length of Thailand

Stories en-route

Feb 1999 - by Ian Cruickshank

COLVIN INVOLVED IN SHOOTING INCIDENT
"Nothing can stop me"

Butch Colvin, the 46 year old US Navy reservist who is running the length of Thailand, had an unexpected surprise when he reached Surat Thani in Southern Thailand on Thursday. After completing a 28 km slog in the morning, he came almost face to face with an enraged gunman at his hotel entrance.
Colvin and his support team were off loading equipment when they had to dive for cover on hearing four gunshots emanating from the lobby area. A gunman then walked smilingly from the entrance, then began running down the road. Colvin, who was unhurt, gave life saving first aid to the male victim, who had been seriously shot in the stomach and shoulder but is expected to survive. The gunman was arrested shortly afterwards, Colvin identifying him in court the next day.
It had been an eventful week. Firstly , an Immigration trip to Ranong was followed by his cameraman narrowly missing a head-on car crash, then his driver was replaced due to his habit of running out of fuel. A bag snatching monkey was perhaps one of the weeks lighter happenings.
Colvin, who is on a run called "Challenge Thailand - the run for the children" to highlight the problem of child prostitution worldwide, takes it all in his stride. "I may be from cowboy country in Oklahoma, but it sure seems more like 'Gunfight at the OK Corral' down here", he jokes. " But nothing will divert me from successfully finishing this run for the children".
Colvin has now completed 1,439 kilometres, two-thirds of the distance, since leaving Mae Sai on the northern border on November 22nd. He expects to reach Betong on the Malaysian border in another four weeks.

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