Thailand’s annual beach volleyball world tour tournament is moving to a new home in 2012. The tournament which was staged on Karon beach, Phuket from 2006 – 2011, will be played this year at Leamtaen, Bangsaen beach from 23 – 28 October. The tournament, which is the last stop on the 2012 FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour, will be called the “Bangsaen Thailand Open powered by PTT”.
The move, which has been approved by the FIVB’s Beach Volleyball World Tour Council, will give an opportunity for beach volleyball fans in Bangkok and Chonburi Province to see the world’s best women beach volleyball teams in action. Response to the change of venue from the beach volleyball teams has been very positive with over 40 teams from 17 countries having already entered, including the current world champions from Brazil. Entries are due to close at the beginning of October by which time over 70 teams from 30 countries are expected to have signed up for the tournament.
Narongchai Khunpluem, Mayor of Saensook Municipality, centre, and Geoffrey Rowe, Managing Director of Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd., 2nd right, pose with other local dignitaries to announce the 2012 Bangsaen Thailand Open beach volleyball tournament.
Narongchai Khunpluem, Mayor of Saensook Municipality said, “We’re delighted that the Beach Volleyball World Tour is coming to Bangsaen this year, as the tournament is very much in line with our strategy of using events to lift the image and awareness of Bangsaen in both the domestic and international market. The tournament gives us worldwide exposure and the influx of beach volleyball teams and fans will give a boost to the local economy as well.”
Geoffrey Rowe, Managing Director of Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd stated that, “the move to Bang Saen was made to increase the exposure of beach volleyball to the Thai public. The tournament is recognized as the leading women’s beach volleyball event in Asia and traditionally draws large crowds of spectators throughout the event. As well as being televised locally, the final 2 days of the tournament are broadcast ‘live’ worldwide to an international audience of over 700,000,000 households, which gives tremendous exposure to the host venue.”
The Bang Saen Thailand Open powered by PTT will feature 6 days of competition plus a number of additional activities designed to support the local community and increase the popularity of beach volleyball amongst the Thai public.
