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Barely a month after we got wind of the first official Pokémon Center landing at Central World, here comes another bit of news worth a celebratory fist-pump: Pokémon Run.
The whole thing rolls out to mark 30 years of the cartoon most of us grew up glued to, with UNIQLO backing the party. Mark your calendar for January 9-10 next year, and keep half an eye out for registration, which should open before 2026 wraps up.
Pokémon Run 30 makes seven stops across Asia – the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand – and it's a long way from your average Sunday slog. You're a Trainer here. You pick a starter partner to run alongside, and every creature you cross paths with gets logged in your Pokédex. Rack up enough and you trade that haul for rewards once you're done. The more ground you cover, the more experience you earn, and your little sidekick evolves as you go.
Here's roughly how a lap unfolds:
– Pick your partner and go: The start line is where you choose your first companion and brace yourself for what's coming.
– Take on the Gyms: Scattered along the way you'll find ‘Pokémon Gyms’, cheeky obstacles that test your grit and earn you those Trainer stripes.
– Refuel at the Pokémon Center: A hydration stop to catch your breath and load up for the next chunk.
– Meet, collect, evolve.:Gather Pokédex entries and exclusive stickers off the characters you meet, then watch your partner evolve as you cross the finish.
There's a Pokémon Center Bangkok Pop-Up Store thrown in too, packed with limited-edition 30th-anniversary bits you'll struggle to leave behind.
Venue, sign-up and prices are still hush-hush, but word is the fee nets you a Runner's Kit. Thai Trainers, dig out those running shoes and stay ready – tickets like these tend to vanish fast. Check here for the update.