THAILAND'S GLOBAL SPORTS STARS
Thailand doesn't have too many global sporting superstars.
I would guess that there are two that would be reasonably well known to most people - the tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan and the snooker player James Wattana.
Within the Kingdom Paradorn is very similar to David Beckham in terms of his media profile and the way he is treated. The fact he's getting married to the 2005 Miss Universe later this year has done nothing to diminish media interest.
James Wattana. whose real name is Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm, helped to make snooker one of the most popular sports in Thailand.
Other high-profile Thai sports stars are female tennis player Tamarine Tanasugarn, currently ranked 68 in the world, and golfer Thongchai Jaidee who is a regular on the European and Asian PGA tour.
Can you think of any more?
4 comments:
Hello hello!
Danai Udomchoke for one, is an underrated Tennis player in Thailand. He is so much overshadowed by Paradorn. Udomchoke did really well in the Australian open this year by beating several top seeded players despite his much smaller built.
He is currently 77th on ATP ranking. Way to go! :)
Thanks for that Sanne Dee. I will keep more of a look out. Perhaps they'll be playing at the Thailand Open this year? Tickets for that go on sale later this month and I think I'll get some.
That would be exciting I reckoned!
You should really catch Udomchoke playing. He is full of surprises (from what I see during the Australian open that is).
Unfortunately, Thai open is not so popular with overseas broadcasters.
Have a good day!
Sanne Dee. You're right - the Thai Open doesn't get much coverage globally - but it's no excuse when you're living in the same city like I will be.
It sounds like you're a bit of an expert on tennis? ;-)
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