Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome was re-elected president of the Windsurfing Association of Thailand along with the entire board during the group’s recent annual meeting in Pattaya.
Itthiphol was joined by association secretary Pattana Bunyasawat and treasurer Amnuaywit Sompongtham at the March 27 meeting.
Itthiphol said the association achieved outstanding results in 2014 with athletes winning at both the national and international level, attracting the interest of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand. He thanked everyone for supporting the athletes and helping bring fame to Pattaya and the country.
Itthiphol Kunplome, Mayor of Pattaya and President of the Windsurfing Association of Thailand, talks during the March 27 meeting.
Windsurfing was introduced to Thailand around 1972 through both the manufacturing of surfing equipment for export and by tourists. Worapan Chotikapanich partnered with his German friends to bring samples of windsurfing equipment to produce in Thailand and export the products worldwide.
The sport was also introduced by a tourist who came to Pattaya in 1972 and became friends with Bamrung Ruamsap, a Pattaya local. Bamrung was believed to be the first Thai to try windsurfing and became the first windsurfing athlete for the country. He then co-founded the Windsurfing Association of Thailand in the 1972 with Adm. Uman Mongkolnavin as the first president.
