Thai team manager Sompol Kukasemkij revealed yesterday that the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) will send two teams with a total of 16 players to compete in five overseas tournaments starting this week.

The first team comprises 12 strong players - Boonsak, Poompat Supkulchananart, Sudket Prapakamol, Pattapol Ngernsrisuk, Songpol Anukrittayawan, Natth-apol Narkthong, Salakjit Ponsana, Sorajja Chansrisukot, Saralee Tungthongkham, Sathinee Chank-rajangwong, Duang-anong Aroon-kesorn and Kulchala Worrawich-itchaikul.

The other squad has four young stars - Peerasak Wiriyaphadung-pong, Monthila Meemek, Sithee Prueksapaisarnsil and Kowit Pisetthasalalai.

The first group will open their campaign in the Philippines and then move to the six-star Indonesia Open. They will continue their run in the four-star Malaysia Open from June 13-18 and their last event will be the five-star Chinese Taipei Open in Taiwan from June 20-25.

The second group will also have a chance to sharpen their skills in the Indonesian Open. They next test their mettle in the five-star Singapore Open from June 5-11.

At the five-day Philippine Open, the 24-year old Boonsak is confident of winning the title as he has been training very hard. He is also very fit both physically and mentally going into the top-flight competition.

The world No 19 is determined to win more ranking points in the Asian tournaments and climb into the top 10 in the world rankings.

Meanwhile, with the absence of top-seeded players at the inaugural Thailand Masters Professional Badminton Championships from May 18-21 in Rayong, some of the country's rising stars have a good chance to prove themselves as well as win a share of the Bt400,000 cash prize, plus 1,500 ranking points for the winner in each category.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation