Thai Ladies National V-ball Team Go Down Swinging

[Frank James]

The fantastic Thai ladies Volleyball team had a rough time in the semis this fall, and won't be going to the Finals. They came very close to beating the US team, but when they faced the World Number One Brazilians, they looked like a pretty decent college team going up against the San Antonio Spurs. All of that size, power, skill, and speed, as well as a very deeply skilled bench, were just too much to deal with. However, as usual our ladies played the same gutsy game they always bring to the floor, and Coach K let his young players (future stars) into the games in every series, perhaps sensing that this is not "That Championship Season."

I was very impressed by the most improved player this season, 20 year old Thatdao, Number 4. She worked her way into the starting lineup, and really made a huge contribution. in her quiet, graceful way. I think she may be the best server on the team now, following in the footsteps of the great Nootsara, Number 13. Bamee, Number 12, was also very strong.coming off the bench. Short player, HUGE heart, the Pride of Khon Kaen.

Our mightiest warrior, Onuma, Number 6, is on her way to play in the Japanese pro league for BIG YEN. Just read an interesting article about virtually the entire starting Thai Ladies team playing last season in Baku, Azerbajian. Onuma signed for $150,000, Nootsara got $125,000, Pleumjit and Malika and Wilavan got $80,000 each. That beats staying home and working at a somtam stand. There was a controversy on the Baku team. A couple of the non-Thai players were saying that management was ...not good, and they wanted out. Musthave been rather weird, coming from Thailand to play pro ball out there in the Central Asian oil patch,along with players from USA and China. Only one Azeri girl on the team.

Before I came to Thailand, I never paid any attention to volleyball, but after watching these ladies play, I was hooked. They are the best ambassadors this country has. They'll be back. The draggy part is, they have beaten four of the top six Finals teams in the recent past. But that was then, this is now. Go Brazil!

[HooHaa]

useless without pics

[Frank James]

Every time I try to post pics I get a message saying that posting such files are not allowed. Actual message reads : You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community.I don't know what the problem is. Anyway, for those who care, clicking THIS LINK will show lots of pictures of the team (I hope), and lead to youtube and whatnot.

[mrtoad]

Good post, they have done really well and deserve all the plaudits they get. MrsT is a big fan, as are a few of our friends so I've watched a couple of the recent games, they are a credit to Thailand. The other bit is they play as a team, unlike the Men's Football clowns.

[harrry]

Congratulations to the team for a great performance though the headline writer should do a bit of proof reading.

[dukeandduke]

Congratulations to the team for a great performance though the headline writer should do a bit of proof reading.

I give up, what am I missing in the headline that's wrong?

[Frank James]

Reader harrry seems to read the headline as being a cheap, salacious double-entendre, which was not the intent of the writer. The writer wanted to inject the heading with some of the emotion and excitement always shown by this very special team every time they take the floor in the arena.

The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on.

Nor all your piety nor wit can draw it back to cancel half a line,

Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.

---O. Khayyam

Nothing more.

[rgs2001uk]

Well done OP for raising this topic.

Like you I have no interest in volleyball, however I got caught up in the moment a few months back.

The Thais won some tournament in Korat, I was in a local Thai bar area, it was almost surreal, time stood still,never heard Bkk so quiet.

Normally shy and reserved Bkk office girls lost their inhibitions, and were stood on tables hooting and roaring on their team, hi 5s and hugs all round, som tam sellers and motocy taxi drivers all joining in, they all stood together as one.

This was at at time before the coup, all thoughts of politics were gone, they stood together as one.

People watching as the game was being played was even more enjoyable.

These girls are a credit to the country, and show what this country could be capable of.

Best of luck to all concerned hope they make a fortune to set themselves up for life, they deserve it.