The tournament is part of the world beach volleyball circuit and for the first time Thailand will host a leg of the FIVB World Tour.

"We would like to clarify that contrary to a few articles apparently issued by some Thai media and some rumours spread by unknown sources, the women's event in Thailand is fully confirmed by the FIVB and its organisers," said Angelo Squeo, the Beach Volleyball Events Director for the world's governing body of the sport.

"This international event featuring the best women's beach volleyball players in the world is being held in a country which is doing its utmost to rebuild sport activities and tourism atmosphere after the tragedy of tsunami."

Depending on the number of entries per country, country quota play-offs could be held today for teams Canada and the US, with the qualifying for eight main draw berths the following day and the money rounds beginning on November 2.

The medal matches will be held on November 5 when the final two teams compete for the US$32,000 first prize.

"We are really happy that all the world's top teams will be taking part in this inaugural event in Phuket," said Geoffrey Rowe, the managing director of Pentangle Promotions, the promoters of the tournament.

The semi-finals and finals will be shown live on iTV on November 4-5 from 3pm to 5pm. The tournament will also be shown live on Eurosport to more than 200 million households in 54 countries in Europe and it will also go live to a further 20 million households in the US.

According to Rowe, world No 1 pair Larissa and Juliana of Brazil are the top seeds. Seeded second are Olympic and world champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh of the US. The Chinese duo of Tian Jia and Wang Jie, who are ranked No 2 in the world, are the third seeds.

Thailand have entered six teams with the excellent tandem of Kamolthip Kulna and Jarunee Sannok, consecutive two-time SEA Games champions, and Yupa Puklongploy and Usa Tenpaksee earning berths in the main draw.