BIOS (A-D)

Who's Who in Thailand Tennis

Aksharamat, Prasongsakdi "Eddie"

A pioneer tennis promoter in Thail Played an important role in tennis during the 1970s-1980s. Owner of a nine court tenniss complex situated on Soi Sawasdee off Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. At e-Sawasdee Tennis Club, he promoted and ran the Singha Open which ran from -'' 1990. It was one of the first tournaments open to foreigners and offering prize m v sponsored by Thailand's most popular beer, Singha. He also served in van,capacities with the LTA of Thailand for some twenty years.

Amornwichet, Col. Suraphit

Finalist National 55 doubles, 1981. Won National 60 doubles, 19s-. Secretary, LTA Thailand, 1982-1983. President, LTAT 1985-1989.

Bautista, Felix Jr. aka Boratisa, Pichet

Bautista, Felix, Jr. aka Boratisa, Pichet: Born February 28, 1946, Manila. Brought to Thailand by his father, Felix Bautista Sr. in 1957 when the latter came on assignment to train the Thai national tennis team. H: 170 cm. W: 65 kgs. Right-handed using one hand forehandand backhand. Studied Business Administration, West London College, 1972.

Baeokhaimuk, Maj, Gen, Weerin

Secretary, LTA Thailand, 1963-1976. President, LTAT, 1976-1982. Won National 45 doubles (with Thep Sukserm), 1974,1977-1978 (finalist 1975,1980). Won 50 singles, 1969. Won National 50 doubles, 1975,1979 (finalist 1980,1981). Won National 55 doubles, 1975-1976, 1979,1981,1983 (finalist 1977,1982). Won National 60 doubles, 1983-1984. Deceased.

Bongsadat, Manop

Born December 20, 1941, Bangkok. Right-handed. Started playing tennis at the Old England Club in Bangkok where his father was a member. Won Thailand Junior singles, 1959; runner-up, 1957,1958. He and Seri Charuchinda were the first Thai juniors to participate in a Thai national team to play in the Southeast Asia Junior Championships, Kuala Lumpur. They won the Junior doubles title, 1958. Graduate (architecture degree), Chulalongkorn University, March 1964; captain of the university tennis team his last two years. Masters degree in architecture, Kansas State University, 1967. Worked as an architect in Miami for three years then returned to Thailand in 1970. Won Thai National doubles (with Pricha Bumiratana), 1971. Won numerous titles at Royal Bangkok Sports Club. Certified Grand Prix official, Hong Kong school, 1981. Chair umpire, Bangkok Tennis Classic Grand Prix event, 1980-1982.

Champisri, Sompharn

Born January 18, 1943. Left-hander. Winningest male player in Thai tennis history with a total of 29 national championship titles as follows: singles: 1966, 1968-1976 (10 titles); doubles: 1964-1966. 1967-1970, 1972-1973, 1975 (10); mixed doubles: 1966-1969, 19721976 (9). Won doubles, Malaysian Open, 1964. Won mixed doubles_ Malaysian Open, 1966. Played Davis Cup for Thailand 1976-1978. In Southeast Asian Games he won singles Gold medal, 1965,1971,1973_ won Silver, 1969,1975; won Bronze, 1977. In doubles he won Silver. 1965 and 1967 (with Seri Charuchinda), 1969 and 1971 (with Grammatica), and in 1973 (with F. Bautista). Won doubles Bronze (with Chana Techasen), 1975. Won mixed doubles Silver (with Somsn Klamsombat) 1965,1967,1969. Won singles Singha Open, 1976.19-8. Has tendency to get leg cramps which several times caused him to retire from a match.

Bulakul, Suthep

Played Davis Cup for Thailand, 1959. Won Southeast Asian Games Gold in singles and Bronze in doubles, 1959.

Chartikavanij, Kasom

Kasom had gone to England in 1924 to further his education. While studying at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, he earned his Blue in 1934 when he was selected to pia% against Oxford University. It is interesting to note that the Cambridge team that year consisted of one Thai, two Indians, one Chinese, one Japanese, an Englishman and one American! He competed in the 1935 Wimbledon qualifying rounds but lost in his final match. The next year he was accepted directly into the Gentlemen's Singles Championships., becoming the first Siamese to compete at Wimbledon. He defeated J.R. Reddall 10-8, 8-10, 7-5, 6-3 in first round then lost to the eventual winner Fred Perry in second round 3-6, 2-6, 2-6.

Chanmaroeng, Chaladda Miss

Played Federation Cup for Thailand, 1978-1981,1985. Won Thailand National mixed doubles, 1977 and 1980 (with Korphong Kanoknateesawat), 1983 (with Charoench.a Tritilanant). Runner-up National doubles 1979 (with Suthasinee ?),1981 (with Chanida Nakpitak).19k_ (with Sirikanya). Won Bronze medal in mixed doubles (with Prasert) at the 9`h SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, 1977. Won Silver medals in singles and doubles (with Suthasinee) at the 10`i' SEA Games in Jakarta, 1979. Won Bronze medal in doubles (with Chanida Nakpitak), 11`h SEA Games at Manila, 19* I Won Silver medal in doubles (with Sirikanya) at the 12th SEA Games in Singapore, 1983.Chedasati, Chamnorn Miss: Won Thailand National doubles 1951-1953 (with Uayphorn Pattaphong !. 1957 (with Renu Saastrakhom); won mixed doubles 1949 (with Sanoh Varnangkul),1952-1955 (with Chi-. Techasen)..

Charuchinda, Seri

Won Malayan Junior singles and doubles, 1958. Won l National titles including one triple crown in 1964: won singles, 1961, 1963-1964: won doubles 1961-1962,1964-1966; won mixed doubles 1964-1965. Played Da''. Cup for Thailand, 1960-1961. In Southeast Asian Games won ten medals: mixer: doubles Gold in 1961,1965, 1967; singles Silver, 1961, 1965,1967; doubles 1965,1967; Bronze medal in doubles, 1959, 1961. Won doubles (with Sompharn F_ Malaysian Open, 1964. Finalist singles Malaysian Open, 1966. Migrated to the United States in late 1960s.

Chuchom, Phanomkorn "Pam"

aka Mrs. Samwattana: Born. ca. 1959. Won Thailand Junior singles, 1977. Played Federation Cup for Thailand 1981, 1985. Won doubles (with Sirikanya), Pattaya Open, 1982,1985; runner-up 1983.Won Thailand National doubles 1978,1982-1985 (with Sirikanya Hoonsri) and 1985 (with Sureephorn Meemangkang); won mixed doubles (with Pongkaphan Pisaimongkhet). Won Bronze medal in singles at the 7th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, 1977. Won doubles (with Sirikanya) Singha Beer Open, Bangkok, 1982,1985; runner-up 1983-1984. Won doubles Gold medal (with Sirikanya), 11th SEA Games, Singapore, 1981. Won Gold in doubles (with Jongrak); won Silver in singles; won Bronze in mixed doubles (with Thanakom Srichaphan),13th SEA Games in Bangkok, 1985.

Chulajata, Danai

Born January 26, 1934. Right-handed. Spent a number of years at school in Japan. One of the stalwarts of the Thai LTA for more than two decades. Served as Secretary General 1977-1979,1983-1985,1989-1991. Longtime playing member of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club; runner-up doubles, 1977-1978; won 45 doubles, 1976. Served as Tennis Committee Chairman. Won 40 Doubles (with Suthiraphan), Thailand National Championships, 1979. Won 45 Doubles (with Suthiraphan), Thailand Championships, 1980. Won 50 Doubles (with Suthiraphan), Thailand Veterans Championships, 1984. Runner-up 50 Singles, Thailand Championships, 1985.

Dale, Paul

Born July 26, 1959, Rangiora, New Zealand where he was a top junior player. Started playing tennis at age 10. Later represented his province at senior tournaments within New Zealand and in Australia. After winning singles and doubles titles for three consecutive years, he turned to coaching the province's top juniors for two years. Hooked up with Peter Burwash International in Texas and taught in five different countries before coming to Bangkok in the mid-1980s where he worked as PBI coach at the Hilton International Hotel for two years. Took on job of coach for the Thai national men's team and did very well. Early 1990s took a PBI assignment as coach at the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Scheme in Madras (Chennai), India where he served for several years. Returned to Thailand, married a beautiful Thai lady, and settled down again as Thai National coach. A top-notch, very effective coach whose personal attributes of sincerity, dedication and low-key intensity have won him many admirers in the tennis world.

Duangchan, Suwimol Miss

Born April 10, 1974. Right-handed. Won Thailand Age 16 singles, 1989. Won Thailand Junior singles and doubles, 1989,1991. Won five open National titles: singles, 1992; doubles, 1992,1994,1996; mixed doubles, 1994. At the Southeast Asian Games she won Gold in singles, 1991; Silver in doubles, 1995. Played Federation Cup for Thailand, 1991-1995, 1997-1999, compiled 21-17 record (13-10 singles) for third highest winning average of .552; most ties played (26) and most matches won (21). Played on the women's pro circuit. Highest WTA rank: No. 346 as of May 10, 1993.

Dunnvatanachit, Chalathip "Taeo" Mrs

nee Pinthanon: Born October 22, 1946, Bangkok, with a smile on her face. Her sunny disposition led her father to encourage her to take up tennis at age 14. Won Thailand National Junior singles beating her sister in the final, 1963. Right-handed. B.A. (political science), Thamasat University, Bangkok, 1966. At that time she wanted a career in politics. M.A., Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1971. Member Thai team, Penang Open, 1963. Won doubles (with Somsri Klamsombat), Southeast Asia Peninsula Games, 1964. Won doubles (with Phisamai Samerpong), Malaysian Open, 1965. Member, Thai team, 5th Asian Games, Bangkok,1966. Finalist, Thailand singles, 1966. Won Thailand doubles (with Sida Schmidt), 1972. Member Thai team which won Gold medal, and won Silver in doubles (with Sida Schmidt), SEA Games, Bangkok, 1973. Member Thai women's team which won Bronze, 7th Asian Games, Tehran, 1974. Won Bronze in singles, Gold medals in doubles (with Suthasinee) and team event, Silver in mixed doubles (with Pichet Boratisa), SEA Games, 1975. Won singles, Singha Open, 1976. Finalist, doubles Thai Nationals, 1978. Finalist, Pattaya Open mixed doubles, 1978. Leading lady player in Royal Bangkok Sports Club for many years where she racked up too numerous to mention wins and where she met her husband, Surin after her return from America. Hits flat, hard strokes and especially strong on crosscourt forehand.

Dunnvatanachit, Surin

Born February 9, 1946, Bangkok. Right-handed. M.BA., New York University,1971. With a few Thai friends he went to Hong Kong to see the Grand Prix event. While where he met with Ken Catton and discussed holding a Grand Prix event in Bangkok. With Catton as Advisor, Surin gathered together a group of tennis friends from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (Gordon Martin, Akrapol Vanaputi, Sainarong Rasananon, Manop Bongsadadt, George andw ^~ June Waick among others) and they held the Pattaya Open, 1979, as a practice run for the future, bigger Grand Prix event. The next year Surin promoted the Chiang Mai Open and then the Thai Open as a qualifying tournament for the Bangkok Classic. Buster Mottram won the latter event while acclimatizing himself to the local scene. For three years running, Surin staged the Grand Prix Bangkok Tennis Classic at the Indoor Stadium, Hua Mark, Bangkok. The Thai tennis populace loved it. By bringing world class tennis to Thailand for the first time, Thai tennis standards were dramatically and irrevocably raised to ahigher level and would never be the same again. Unfortunately, unprecedented floods which saw one foot ofwater cover the parquet floor of the Indoor Stadium forced the cancellation of the 1983 tournament. Thatsame year and for several years thereafter, the Thai economy was depressed forcing the termination of theGrand Prix event. But its impact had been made thanks to Surin Dunnvatanachit. Awarded Sports Promoterof the Year by the Bangkok Post, 1980.