Thailand will send four young sailors to complete in the Hong Kong Open Windsurfing Championships in October in preparation for the 2018 Youth Olympics in Brazil.
Denchai Reuangkaseam, Boonyarit Sangngan, Patchara Mungmeepol and Tiwa Wongyanghang will participate in the Oct. 4-10 games on Cheung Chau Island. Prapart Sangngan will coach and Pannipa Mungmeepol will manage the teens.
The October event marks the end of a busy stretch for Thai windsurfers. Recent Olympians Nattapon Phonoparat and Siriporn Kaewduang-ngam were joined by Navin Singsart, Pattaradanai Jeanin, Salocha Pumprai and Duangkamol Phongan at the RS One World Championships Sept. 26-30 in Penghu, Taiwan.
Highly ranked in Asia, Siriporn and Nattaporn performed poorly at the Rio Olympics, finishing 18th and 29th, respectively. But former Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, who heads the Windsurfing Association of Thailand, said at a Sept. 16 meeting the organization was satisfied with their results as they were in line with expectations.
