Nonthaburi: "Khun Choti" Sophonpanich visited the "Rising Stars Striving for Excellence" tennis camp, a project to develop tennis players for the Thai national youth team. On August 1, 2026, Mr. Choti Sophonpanich, Chairman of the Thai Public Policy Foundation, honored the event with a visit to observe the training of tennis athletes in the "Rising Stars" project at the National Tennis Development Center, Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phumsan Seneewong Na Ayutthaya, Vice President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, along with Mr. Phuchong Lauhasiriwong, Director of the Association's Competition Management Division, Mr. Thani Saenya-Ukhos, Director of the Association's Youth Development Division, Ms. Nantnapat Nantasuk, International Relations Officer of the Association, Mr. Paul Dale, the New Zealand coach of the program, as well as the coaching staff, athletes, and parents, extended a warm welcome.
Mr. Paul Dale then reported on the progress of the "Rising Stars" project, a collaboration between the Thai Public Policy Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, which began in 2023 and continues to this day. The project aims to support young tennis players in their pursuit of excellence, and has seen several generations of athletes participate.
The current youth tennis players in the project include Patcharawut Anantanasuwong, Pakjira Horlertsakul, Phiraya Krudin, Nueafah Sujirapongchai, Pichaya Kultangkitseeree, and Thasa Teawsawat. Pakjira Horlertsakul has been selected to be a member of the Thai national youth tennis team (under 12 years old) for 2026.
Mr. Choti Sophonpanich, Chairman of the Thai Public Policy Foundation, said he was pleased to meet and have the opportunity to talk. He was happy that Paul Dale had undergone hip surgery and could return to coaching. He wished all the athletes good luck and congratulated those who were selected for the Thai national youth team.