Taekwondo Star Nong View Enters Thai Politics

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Taekwondo star Nong View enters politics

By Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Olympic bronze medal-winning taekwondo exponent Yaowapa "Nong View" Boorapolchai is following in the footsteps of former tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan by joining the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party for the upcoming elections.

In a telephone interview, Yaowapa's mother Somsri said it was entirely her daughter's decision. "I don't know much about this. Nong View is grown up and can make decisions herself. She hasn't told me about what she has in mind about politics. Though she is new to politics, her fiancé's father is an alderman at the Municipal Assembly in Kanchanaburi and I believe he can help her. At least, he can provide her with advice. Nong View has been very busy preparing for her wedding," she said.

Yaowapa brought fame to the Kingdom when she clinched a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Games to become the first Thai Olympic medallist outside of boxing and weightlifting. She started competing in the martial art in 2002 and won a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in 2003. She also secured bronze medals in the Universiade, World Taekwondo Championships and World Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament in the same year.

She decided to finally call it a day in taekwondo because a nagging ankle injury kept her away from serious competitions and also foiled her attempts for a comeback at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She later decided to opt for fencing as advised by her ex-boyfriend, fencer Suppakorn Sritaeng-on, and was instrumental in lifting the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce's women's epee team to a silver medal at the National University Games. She is expected to join the national fencing team in the not-too-distant future.

Yaowapa, who turns 27 on September 6, got engaged to tour guide Kriangkrai Permthawee, also 27. They will be getting married on April 29 in a ceremony at the Royal Thai Army Club. The former taekwondo star currently works as a sports news anchor for ModerNine television channel.

-- The Nation 2011-04-19

[rkidlad]

Desperate times. Everyone wants a slice of the political money pie. Wish I could believe any of these people were joining for the good of the people.

[sirchai]

Guess it's more important how popular somebody was being good in sports, than knowing much about politics.

Reminds me of "Arnie" who suddenly became the governor of California and then 'terminated' some guys already sitting in the death cell for 30 years.

Like a research has shown in the States, the most powerful people in Wall street are not those with the best qualifications, they're just filthy rich. :jap:

[pisico]

Guess it's more important how popular somebody was being good in sports, than knowing much about politics.

Reminds me of "Arnie" who suddenly became the governor of California and then 'terminated' some guys already sitting in the death cell for 30 years.

Like a research has shown in the States, the most powerful people in Wall street are not those with the best qualifications, they're just filthy rich. :jap:

Why do you think they are filthy rich?

1) they robbed a bank?

2)like John Kerry, they married the heiress to the Heinz fortune?

3) they all inherited a zillion dollars at birth?

4) all of the above

Edited April 19, 2011 by pisico

[Lozman]

What a joke...Politicians come from all walks of life....Farmers, actors, cabbies, unionists, labourers...anything at all in a democracy....Thai bashers take a break and look at where the politicians worked in their own countries before they take a poke at an athlete entering politics in Thailand. If you think that having money is necessary...this lady's partner is a tour operator...not big bucks here. Maybe she feels she can assist sport in Thailand. Who knows..who cares...She has that right. I wish her well. Long live democracy.

[Oberkommando]

.Farmers, actors, cabbies, unionists, labourers...anything at all in a democracy....Thai bashers take a break and look

Where are the workers unions in Thailand?

Where are the cabbies that have become MPs?

From my 27 years of experience all the politicians in Thailand are there for self-enrichment and self-aggrandisement.

Long live democracy.

Indeed, wake me when there is even a semblence of one here. Thanks.

[Greyman]

It is nice to see any other candidates, besides the usual ex Police, ex Military.

What about some ex Muay Thai Boxers. Would at least make question time exciting.

[Bagwan]

"Yaowapa brought fame to the Kingdom when she clinched a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Games to become the first Thai Olympic medallist outside of boxing and weightlifting. "

An achievement that shook the Olympic movement to its very foundations and invaded the consciousness of the entire world. Talk about gilding the lily! You couldn't make it up. Much more memorable of course is all those who have brought infamy to LoS.

P.S. I thought taekwondo were the people who run the 'eat it and beat it' facility in Foodland.