The work of a powerful deity

Competing in the Samila-Sangsom Asian Beach Volleyball Championships in Songkhla last week, the 29-year-old player was determined to make his dreams come true.

He made a vow at the shrine in front of the BP Hotel and Resort, where he stayed, that he would shave his head if he reached the semi-finals.

It worked. Apichat, who had Sathaporn Sawangruang as his partner, served several aces before beating Indonesians Suratna and Agung Santoso in the quarter-finals.

The Thai veteran turned up as bald as Yul Brynner at the semi-finals match and the foreign players could not help laughing at his new hairstyle.

When the Thais failed to get past their Chinese rivals in the semi-finals, one of the national team players suggested Apichat shave off his eyebrows if it will help him to win his maiden title. - The Nation.

Peculiar are the ways of Datsakorn

Like former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince who never used to put on his shirt until he stepped onto the field, Thai star Datsakorn Thonglao is equally superstitious. His acts, which he believes bring him good luck, are stranger than that of Ince.

Before every match, the 23-year-old Datsakorn pays respect to his outfit with a wai and utters a small mantra. He does the same with his shoes after tying the laces. The rituals do not end there for Datsakorn, who is one of the country's most talented players.

When he goes onto the pitch he pulls up a few blades of grass and puts them on his head. Why does he do it? He hopes the rites will help him play well and not pick up an injury.

It seems to work for the midfielder, who moved from Thailand Premier League giants BEC Tero Sasana to V-League outfit Hoang in a record transfer fee.

Datsakorn has never let his fans down, particularly in playing for the national team. And believe it or not, he has not picked up any major injury. - The Nation.

Danai soaks it up in Chiang Mai

Tennis pro Danai Udomchoke rarely gets the opportunity to celebrate Thai festivals. The current knee injury that has forced him off the circuit has given him the chance to fully "soak up" the Songkran experience.

The Asian Games gold medallist never knew what it was like to mingle with the northern community and splash a bit of water about. But this year he travelled to Chiang Mai, went around on a pick-up truck and engaged in water wars in the baking heat.

The fact that he is a celebrity made him the target of everyone. But Danai was more than happy to be drenched in his first Songkran for many years.

"It was great. I'd heard about Songkran in Chiang Mai but never had the chance to go there. It was nice that people recognised me, played with me and wished me good things," said Danai, who returned to his home in Bangkok a bit tanner.