Friendly soccer match - A stepping stone to better Thai-Saudi relations?

Thailand’s national soccer squad coached by former England midfielder Peter Reid left for Saudi Arabia on Thursday to play a friendly match with the Saudis this Saturday. To be known here that downgraded its diplomatic links with Bangkok in 1989 angered by the unresolved killing of diplomats in the Thai capital and stolen royal gems. It even refused to send a member of the royal family to attend the celebrations marking revered Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60 years on the throne in 2006. The invitation from Riyadh lights some hope of reviving the lost ties.

“The Saudis have invited us for a warm-up match and we hope this friendship could be expanded into other areas,” Thai FA president Worawi Makudi told Reuters.

“It will be a historic match after our ties were strained nearly 20 years ago,” Worawi, also an adviser to Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat, was quoted as saying this week by a Thai newspaper.

“This could be a good basis to build on the relationship in other ways,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said.

Going back to the history four Saudi Arabian embassy employees, including two diplomats, were gunned down in Bangkok in 1989 after which Riyadh called back its ambassador. Days later a Thai worker in the Arab state stole jewellery worth $20 million from the Saudi royal family. Before these cases could be solved, a prominent Saudi businessman went missing in Thailand, prompting the Saudi government to halt issuing visas to Thais wanting to work in Saudi Arabia. When the jewellary was eventually returned, an outraged Saudia Arabia said only 25 percent of it was genuine.

Saudi Arabia is still Bangkok’s top crude oil supplier and Bangkok has continuously tried to improve relations with Riyadh without much response from the latter.

Thailand emerges champion again at RWC

For the second time, Thailand has won the championship in Ragnarok Online World Championships (RWC) followed by South Korea and Indonesia in second and third place, respectively. They won in last year’s RWC held in their home country.

The event was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City and the participating Thai team is composed of Ratchasak Kanchanasapha, Mana Pattharavilaloet, Minlawat Tararuthai, Somporn Sinsanguan, Hatsakan Santitaweechai, Ekkasit Nimket, and Narin Sukwisutthichot.

There were 12 teams from 21 participating countries. These included Korea, Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, and Austria.

Thailand won US$15000, while Korea and Indonesia won US$7000, and US$5000, respectively.

Thailand defeats Iran in Volleyball championship

Thailand defeated Iran by 3-0 on Sunday in the 7th Asian Youth Girls’ Volleyball Championship. Iran was defeated in three sets by scores of 25-8, 25-12, 25-13 in the Philsports Arena in Manila, Philippines.

The 7th Asian Youth Girls’ Volleyball Championship started on October 11 and runs until October 18 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines.

A total of 12 countries are participating in the event. The other teams are last year’s defending champion Japan, China, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand, Iran, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The top three finishers in the championship will represent Asia in the 2009 World Youth Girls’ (under 18) Volleyball Championship in Mexico.

Thailand gears up for biennial championship

Former England international Peter Reid has already been appointed as the new national coach of Thailand. Now, as soon as the Thailand Premiere League 2008 concludes early this month, the players will start their preparation for the biennial championship. Reid will be assisted by former Thailand captain Tawan Sripan, who has moved into coaching. Thais are hoping to win their fourth crown and a total of about 30 players will be chosen for centralized training.

The Agribank Cup is a quadrangular tournament featuring hosts Vietnam, New Zealand and a soon to be announced European side. For the AFF Suzuki Cup this year, hosts Thailand will be in Group B against Malaysia, Vietnam and the first team from the qualifying tournament in Cambodia. In Group A are hosts Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar and the second team from the qualifiers.

Two more silvers for Thailand in Paralympics

After Prawat Wahoram won bronze in the men’s 800 metres wheelchair race on Saturday, two more silver medals came in for Thailand this Sunday in the athletics events at the Paralympics. Saichon Konjen grabbed the silver medal in the men’s 200 metres wheelchair race. Saichon finished in 25.15 secs while China’s Lixin Zhang won in 24.34 secs.

His team in the 4×400 metres relay wheelchair finished second. The relay team which comprised of Saichon, Supachai Koysub, Prawat Wahoram and Pichet Krungget had to be content with a silver. The relay team finished 5.96 secs behind winners China who broke the world record as they clocked 3:05.67 mins.

Saysunee Jana lost 15-14 to China Ye Hua in the bronze medal match in the women’s individual foil wheelchair fencing competition. ”I am really disappointed,” she said. ”It was a really close match and I did my best.”

Peter Reid to coach Thai football team

Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has decided to send the national team to take part in the four-team tournament in Hanoi where they will face hosts Vietnam, New Zealand and a European side yet to be determined, said Ong-art Kosinkha, secretary-general of FAT. Ong-art also revealed that the King’s Cup in Bangkok, which was originally scheduled for November, has been postponed indefinitely.

For the Agribank Cup in Hanoi, the team will be coached by former England international Peter Reid. It will be Reid’s first assignment as Thailand’s coach with former Thailand captain Tawan Sripan his assistant. Reid will call 30 players for training after the Thailand Premier Leauge ends next month. The squad will also be for the AFF Suzuki Cup (the Asean Championship) in December.

Thailand leads South Asian countries in Olympics 2008

29th Olympiad which ended this Sunday again saw Thailand as the leading winner among all its South Asian rivals with four medals—two golds and two silvers. Indonesia, with one gold, one silver and three bronzes, has the most number of medals with five. Malaysia, Singapore and even Vietnam have a silver each.

Thailand’s two golds came with the victory of veteran boxer Jongjohor Somnit and woman weightlifter P. Jaroenrattanatarakoon. With this, Jongjohor became the third Thai to win a boxing gold medal in the Olympics. Jaroenrattanatarakoon topped the women’s 53-kg division in weightlifting two days after the Aug. 8 opening ceremonies to become the first Southeast Asian gold medalist in Beijing.

The veteran Boonjumnong had won the light welterweight boxing title in Athens four years ago. However, this time he lost badly to Felix Diaz of the Dominican Republic, 12-4, in the gold medal match and had to be satisfied with a silver. Thailand’s other silver was won by Buttree Puedpong, who lost to China’s Wu Jingyu in the gold medal match of taekwondo’s women’s under-49kg category.

With its two golds in Beijing, Thailand overtook Indonesia in the number of golds won with seven. With four silvers and 10 bronzes and a total of 21, Thailand still trails Indonesia in the all-time medal count. The Philippines is third with nine medals consisting of two silvers and seven bronzes.

First gold medal for Thailand in Olympics

Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon of Thailand won the weightlifting gold medal in the women’s 53 kilogram category, all to her total life of 221 kg. South Korea’s Yoon Jinhee finished in second place and Natassia Novikava of Belarus got the bronze.

In her first Snatch attempt, Jaroenrattanatarakoon succeeded at lifting 95kg. In the Clean and Jerk round, 24-year-old Jaroenrattanatarakoon lifted 120kg in her first attempt. She then went on with a stunning attempt of 126kg, which was easily completed and made her an Olympic record holder in the Clean and Jerk. Although she failed to raise her record with her third attempt, her stellar performance won a standing ovation from all spectators in the stadium.

Thailand’s Udomporn Polsak was the champion of this weight class four years ago. Jaroenrattanatarakoon not only retained this title, but also claimed the first gold medal for her country in this year’s Olympics.

Despite losing at weight lifting, Thai remain hopeful

The weight lifting competition on Saturday at the 2008 Olympics this year had Thailand hoping to get a gold medal but the failure of Weightlifters Premsiri Bunpithak and her fellow partner Pensiri Laosirikul, two of Thailand’s top medal hopes, have caused tremendous disappointment among the enthusiastic Thais. Pensiri finished fifth, while Premsiri could not make a successful lift in three attempts in the snatch category and was eliminated in the 48kg division.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who was expecting that the world will get to see the better sides of Thai athletes this year, had given all the possible support to the participants before the games began. She was personally present to witness the match at Beijing. Despite their defeat the duo won praise from Her Highness.

The burden to win Thailand’s first medal at the Beijing Games now rests on the shoulders of weightlifter Premwadee Charoenrattanatharakul, who will contest the 53kg class.

On the better side, middleweight Angkhan Chomphuphuang made a winning start in his Olympic debut in boxing. He beat South Korea’s Cho Deok-jin 9-3 on points in the round of 32. In swimming, Nimitta Thaveesupsoonthorn finished fifth in her heat in 5:02.18secs in the women’s 400m individual medley.

In the coming days, we will get to see some of the better Thai athletes compete to find Thailand a recognizable position at the Olympics 2008.

Thailand - What they love and what they dont

Before hitting an unknown country like Thailand, it would be wise to know what the routine practice of that place is and what you should not do to avoid getting into trouble. Here we give you the dos and donts that will make your journey smooth and trouble-free. Thought the list is endless, these tips will be a lot of help especially to the first timers.

DOS:

* Firstly do learn a few Thai words to greet the locals. They consider it polite and it will also help you communicate well. Words like “Swadee Khrap” [hello] are always a delight to hear!
* Wear yellow T-Shirt on Monday and Friday. Thai people have great love for the king and the royal family. Thai people pay tribute to his majesty by wearing yellow T-Shirt on Monday and Friday. Make sure you wear one.
*  In the theatre, the audience will stand up to show respect to the king, so do stand up and shower that respect.
* Do pay tips to waiters. It’s a custom here more than a passing gesture!
* Always be cautious. There are notorious people round eager to cheat the tourists of their money!

DONTS

* Don’t litter the streets. It’s illegal and punishable under the law. You may end up paying 2000 Bahts!
* Similarly even smoking in public areas is considered an offense. Look out for smoking zones to do that.
* Don’t wear objectionable clothes like bikini tops, short skirts or hot pants in sacred areas like the Temples or religious shrines. You may be outrightly denied entry for being barely clad.
* Criticism of the king and royal family is not just frowned upon in Thailand; it is against the law – a punishable offence that is taken very seriously.
* Do not engage in purchase of wild animals whether protected or not. Aside from the moral issues, punishments are very harsh.
* Thais do not shake hands; they ‘wai’ – a gesture made by placing your hands together in front of your face a bowing a little. Generally, you should not wai to a child and a younger person should wai an older person first.
* Public Display Affection are frowned upon. It is rude to make out in public. So be careful before showering your love to your beloved on the streets of Thailand.

I would rather be sailing at phuket!!

Suppose you have always wanted a private yachting experience but have had no idea how to go about hiring one? This time we take you on a virtual journey to Phuket’s most exciting and memorable Yachting experience where you can not only set your own itenary but also share the space with only close ones…..those you want to spend your holidays with.

Chartering a yacht with a professional captain, crew and a cook is just one more way to get a feel of cruising in Thailand. They will take care of your every minor need. With endless options available from bareboats to crewed yachts, you can fulfill your every desire. If you want to swim, then some yachts have a permanent dive instructor on board, otherwise rendezvous dives can easily be organized.

Once you are aboard your luxury cruise, there are no daily battles for a place in an over crowded bays, in most cases you will find you will be the only yacht in the anchorage. Thus, feeling away from the maddening crowd will be an ultimate experience. Some of the most essential things which you need to carry with you are:

1. sunglasses : to stand under the sun
2. cameras: to capture every moment
3. swim suits: to enjoy the cool blue waters
4. music system: there might not be such an arrangement on the cruise
5. binoculars: to zoom into the distant areas

Now that you are ready to hit the waters, book your chartered yacht pack your bags and go…and if any of you have already had a yachting experience in Phuket, then share your experiences with us too.

Thai boxing aka Muay Thai

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing matches have always been related with Thailand’s culture. With powerful boxers weighing almost 200 pounds, it makes for an interesting game for both the locals and the tourists alike.

A typical boxing match includes two fighters with specific tactics of kicking, punches, standing grappling to knock out the opponent. Being accompanied by typical thai music, makes it all the more fun to watch.

Though these matches get violent at times, these matches are quite entertaining for the audiences. It includes ten bouts of five three-minute rounds of the match and the tickets are available on the spot an hour before the event.

Muay Thai is also considered to be an act of self defense and the methods include superb cardio vascular endurances with is good for both the body and the soul. It is held almost every night thanks to its popularity. So if you are in Bangkok and want to witness this form of Thai culture, then some of the venues are:

The Lumpini Stadium: Rama IV road

International Stadium:Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao.

The Tickets are also reasonably cheap ranging from 200 Baht to 1000 Baht, depending on where you want to be seated. Remember that only adults are allowed to enter the stadium. So keep your children engrossed in other activities while you enjoy the Thai boxing match.

Phuket regatta race week

One of the most fascinating events in Phuket Island’s marine sporting calendar is definitely the “Sixth Sense Phuket Race Week”. Scheduled to begin on the 23rd of July, 2008, this 4 day long event is strongly recommended for those of you looking for a relaxed yet fun filled yatching regatta.

The Phuket Race Week begins from the eastern coast of the Phuket island and is a professionally run, international standard racing experience. Attracted by excellent sailing in reliable breezes of 15 knots, this year, there is an event within an event. For the first time the NRG Cup will also be a part of this festival honouring those in the oil and gas industry.

News is that for the very first time, again, the entire competiton will be closely covered by the electronic media and will be broadcasted in Eurosports, Star Sports and CNN Main Sail with an expected viewer ship of more than 140 million!

With only a few weeks more to go before the competition, the registration response has been more overwhelming than ever. So if this sounds like what you always wanted to do, then don’t miss this life time experience. Just register online before July 9th and avail special entry discounts too!

Go Golfing in Thailand

One of the most popular sports in Thailand is Golf, especially among the elite and fashionable class.  is one of the most popular sports in Thailand.  It arrived here a century ago and was quickly taken up by the elite and fashionable. The first international golf tournament hosted by Thailand was the 1975 World Cup.

The Armed Forces and government institutions are the first sponsors and the leading owners of the finest courses in the country. Now, the country has an array of golf courses in and within easy reach of all major cities. The relatively newer courses also offer accommodations on site or nearby, plus recreational facilities for the whole family. For the golfers who come to this country not only for a challenging course, but an exotically different one too, Thailand offers an unbelievable choice.

One of the best courses in the country within easy reach from Bangkok are the Navathanee Golf Course, which was created for the 1975 World Cup and the Ekachai Golf Club. Outside Bangkok, there are numerous courses offering high quality facilities, including The Rose Garden in Nakhon Pathom, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, the Phuket Golf and Country Club on the lush island of Phuket, and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, probably the oldest in Thailand.

For the golf lovers, the best time to visit Thailand is the cool season, from November to March. From April to October, it is very hot and wet. However, since all the golf courses have good drainage system and the pour here does not last for too long, even rainy months should satisfy for desire for the game. But a word here…. Book in advance for the weekends, for the courses go packed especially in the peak season December to February.

You can expect all the facilities at the courses- ranging from economical lodging to cozy, luxurious and grand stays. Also appreciable is the fact that the fees here are still quite reasonable. For the vacation with your family, or to fill a break in your golfing schedule, there is a diverse choice of culture, adventure, dining and shopping available wherever you choose to tee-off.

Thailand - a sports lover’s destination!

For the fitness freaks and the adventure loving lot who don’t know where to quench their thirst….Thailand is your destination. The action packed sporting events that happen here all the year round are sure to excite you. From mountain climbing to bike riding and rafting, you will get everything in this country.

Whether you are at Hua Hin, Chumphon or Phuket, be ready for some fast pace action. Ice hockey and Soccer are more popular among the masses as compared to cricket. There are in fact three big soccer leagues namely the MBMG Casual League, the Santa Fe Farang League and the Veterans 5- Aside League.

Mountain Biking is also loved by a large section of society. You can either rent or buy a bicycle and explore the difficult yet interesting paths down the mountains.

The World Trade Centre in Bangkok has a large Ice skating rink on its 8th floor. Here you can rent skates according to hours and enjoy yourself even if you don’t have company. But avoiding peak hour rushes would be a wise decision or else you might have to wait long before your turn. Rugby, Volleyball and Tennis are also among the serious sports which might cost you 150-180 Bahts each.

If you love water activities and wildlife, don’t hesitate to try out Kayaking in a natural hidden reserve. A jungle walk trip can also be of interest to you. While you decide which sport to opt for, let me tell you that you will have to pay for everything, so keep an eye on your pocket too.