Wilawan, who hails from Songkhla, made an awkward start, losing the first set 6-3, but woke up to take the following sets 6-1 7-5 to join two other Thais in round two.

Sixth-seeded Pichittra Thongdach did not have much trouble with India's Oormila Ram, winning 6-3 6-2. But rising Thai star Nugnadda Wannasuk was extended to three sets before downing compatriot Sophia Mulsap 6-2 5-7 6-2.

Hong Kong's Lam Pu-Kuen rallied back from 6-0 down to beat Uthumporn Pudtra 6-1 6-0, while fifth-seed Ayu-Fanti Damayanti of Indonesia also came from behind to move past Thailand's Varatchaya Wongteanchai 4-6 6-2 6-0.

In other first round action, Taiwan's Kao Shao-yuan routed Australian qualifier Cassandra Chan 6-1 6-0. Uzbekistan qualifier Vlada Ekshibarova trounced South Korean You Hu-hee 6-2 6-1 and Hong Kong's Yang Zi-jun beat Japan's Kaori Aoyama 6-4 6-4.

After representing Thailand in the Fed Cup tie against the Slovak Republic over the weekend, Thailand's two top seeds, Nudnida Luangnam and Thassha Vitayaviroj, open their accounts today. Top seed Nudnida plays India's Vishika Chhetri and second-seeded Thassha meets South Korean Lee Jin-a.