Royal decorations for Thai women's volleyball team
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 11 – His Majesty the King has officially bestowed Royal Decorations to 18 members of the Thai women's volleyball team and their trainers, it was officially announced in the Royal Gazette yesterday.

The Royal Decorations were granted to players, coaching staff, assistant trainers and team staff for winning the 17th Asian Women Volley Ball Competition September 13-21 in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The 12 players and coaching staff led by Kiattipong Radchatakriangkrai received the Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.

Other team officials received the Commander (Third Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, the Companion (Fourth Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.

His Majesty the King specially bestowed the Royal Decorations to mark his birthday anniversary on December 5 this year, it was announced.

The Thais earlier won only one Asian title--in 2009--when they defeated China in the final. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-11

Go Girls!!

Well done.

Some posts removed also a couple of quoted replies, if you have nothing good to say about the award then please keep silent

I would like to hear more about the competition. Who came in 2nd, 3rd. Who participated. How long has the team been together.

A complete vacuum in the story.

I would like to hear more about the competition. Who came in 2nd, 3rd. Who participated. How long has the team been together.

A complete vacuum in the story.

Thailand's fantastic ladies laid waste to a young Japanese team (2nd place) in straight sets, after a thrilling 5 set epic struggle against China the night before. Korea ended in 3rd place.This team will be remembered for years for their brilliant, slashing, powerful play, and the heart they display every time they hit the court. Led by the Big Three, Pleumjit Thinkaow (# 5, 180cm,age 30); Onuma Sittirak (#6, 175cm, age 27); and Captain Wilavan Apinyapong (#10, 174cm, age 26). They would have swept the tournament, except for a strange early loss to Kazakhstan.

After they won, they chose to walk 10km back to their hotel in Korat, just to be with their fans. The fan base for the team is mostly young, and wildly enthusiastic. They will be playing in Japan next month. I can't wait to watch them go to work again.

They deserve this wonderful royal honor. Go ladies.

-Old fanboy

I would like to hear more about the competition. Who came in 2nd, 3rd. Who participated. How long has the team been together.

A complete vacuum in the story.

They beat Japan ranked number 3 in the world, twice during the tournament and beat China the 5th ranked team in the world in the final. Is that good enough?

I would like to hear more about the competition. Who came in 2nd, 3rd. Who participated. How long has the team been together.

A complete vacuum in the story.

Thailand's fantastic ladies laid waste to a young Japanese team (2nd place) in straight sets, after a thrilling 5 set epic struggle against China the night before. Korea ended in 3rd place.This team will be remembered for years for their brilliant, slashing, powerful play, and the heart they display every time they hit the court. Led by the Big Three, Pleumjit Thinkaow (# 5, 180cm,age 30); Onuma Sittirak (#6, 175cm, age 27); and Captain Wilavan Apinyapong (#10, 174cm, age 26). They would have swept the tournament, except for a strange early loss to Kazakhstan.

After they won, they chose to walk 10km back to their hotel in Korat, just to be with their fans. The fan base for the team is mostly young, and wildly enthusiastic. They will be playing in Japan next month. I can't wait to watch them go to work again.

They deserve this wonderful royal honor. Go ladies.

-Old fanboy

I watched them too - agree with everything you say. The skill and passion was really outstanding and great to watch.

It's good that countries with monarchies reward sporting achievement with royal decorations.

I hope the team continues to enjoy success and play with the same spirit and coordination for many years.

They gave the Aussie girls a hiding recently...and I haven't heard the last of it from the dear lady wife. good onyer girls!!

Congratulations to the ladies and their coaches. They played great in the tournament in front of a packed arena of crazy (and I mean that in a good way) fans.

I try to watch them whenever they're on tv because they are a fun team to watch. I hope they're able to stay together long enough to make a push for the Olympics.

Didn't mean to short any of the other team members in handing out praise. We've got the strikingly lovely Nootsara Tomkom (#13, mid 20's, 169cm), a world-ranked "setter", who positions the ball perfectly for a vicious, unstoppable slam by the mighty front line. Also coming on strong is the little dynamo, Tapaphaipun "Bamee" Chaisri (#12, 168cm, age 23), the pride of Khon Kaen, who has incredible vertical leap, and a mighty slam of her own.

Coming on strong, and earning a lot of floor time in this tourney, is young Thatdao "Nan" Nuekjang from Roi Et (#4, age early 20's, 183cm).

Then there's Malika Kanthong from Ang Thong (#15, age 25, 178cm) who looks so much like Wilavan, I thought they were sisters. A great player, too. And I can't forget Amporn "Jackie" Hyapa, (#11, late 20's, 180cm) who comes on strong in the back court.

About half of these ladies play pro ball in Europe during the winter and spring. Apparently Azerbajian has a pro league, and several of Thailand's ladies play there.

They're all fantastic, and they play like a family. The Big Guy (Coach K) has a fine crew of young players coming up, who will keep this team in the hunt for years.

Can't wait to see them do it again next month in Japan.

Sorry about all the sports cliches ..."coming on strong", etc. But they did, and they do!

One small step in the developed World but a great leap forward for Thailand. Well done ladies. Can attention now be forwarded for developing a winning team for hopscotch and nude leapfrog?

Yes they did play exceptionally well and it was great to watch. Im new to Thailand in having only being her over a year now, but this order or award having something to do with a white elephant made me giggle somewhat. Whats with that? perhaps the Aussie and Kiwi governments could institute an award in relating to the brush tailed possum???

Sorry I dont mean to cause offence but it just hit my funny bone for some reason.....

Maybe an award of the most exhalted order of the platypus is higher.... by methinks a North American skunk would be the highest (Pun intended).

Have a great weekend everyone and yes I do respect the volleyball team in what they achieved.....bloody well done

I would like to hear more about the competition. Who came in 2nd, 3rd. Who participated. How long has the team been together.

A complete vacuum in the story.

Thailand's fantastic ladies laid waste to a young Japanese team (2nd place) in straight sets, after a thrilling 5 set epic struggle against China the night before. Korea ended in 3rd place.This team will be remembered for years for their brilliant, slashing, powerful play, and the heart they display every time they hit the court. Led by the Big Three, Pleumjit Thinkaow (# 5, 180cm,age 30); Onuma Sittirak (#6, 175cm, age 27); and Captain Wilavan Apinyapong (#10, 174cm, age 26). They would have swept the tournament, except for a strange early loss to Kazakhstan.

After they won, they chose to walk 10km back to their hotel in Korat, just to be with their fans. The fan base for the team is mostly young, and wildly enthusiastic. They will be playing in Japan next month. I can't wait to watch them go to work again.

They deserve this wonderful royal honor. Go ladies.

-Old fanboy

You should have written the original article. Thanks for the info.

Their followers on the court deserves to get a decoration also, cheering and supporting the team with enthusiasm. Every time a Thai young team or athlete is wining a tournament, I am sure a lot more youngsters get the motivation to work hard to becomes one. Good for them, good for Thailand!!