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Published on December 17, 2007

Presided over by Tourism and Sports Minister Dr Suvit Yodmanee, the awards ceremony, held at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, honoured outstanding athletes who have brought fame and reputation to the country.

Attasit won the World Amateur Snooker Champion-ship at the Sima Thani Hotel last month and is fresh from teaming up with Phaithoon Phonbun to capture the men's snooker double gold at the SEA Games.

Badminton ace Boonsak Ponsana, who landed this year's Singapore Super Series title and a bronze medal at the SEA Games, and pugilist Non Boonjumnong were the runners-up. Buaban Pamang won gold medals in three major events - last year's Asian Games in Doha, the Asian Champion-ships and the World Universiade in August.

At the SEA Games, the 21-year-old from Chiang Rai broke her own record of 55.06m set in Manila with a throw of 55.97m, for her fourth Games gold. Buaban also emerged as the first Thai athlete to secure a berth for the Beijing Olympics.

Runners-up comprised weightlifter Premsiri Boonpitak and swimmer Nutthanan Jankrajang, fresh from winning four gold at the SEA Games and the Best Female Athlete of the Games.

Chutchawal Khawlaor, who won gold in taekwondo at the SEA Games, won the Best Amateur Men's Junior Athlete Award, while the Best Amateur Women's Junior title went to sharpshooter Thanya-lak Chotepiboonsil.

The Best Professional Athlete of the Year Award was Ratthapark Vilairoj, the 19-year old rider from Chon Buri who competed in the Japanese GP as a wildcard last year and finished 10th. Golfer Chapchai Nirat was the runner-up.

Kitichai Churat claimed the Best Professional Muay Thai Athlete of the Year Award. Wheelchair-bound marathoner Prawat Wahorum was the Best Men's Disabled Athlete of the Year, with fencer Saisunee Jana claiming the Best Women's Disabled Athletes Award.

The Best Amateur Coach Award went to snooker's Chuchart Trairattanapradit, with Korean coach Choi Young Seok clinching the Best Foreign Coach Award.

The Athletic Association of Thailand was adjudged the Best Sport Association, while volleyball was the Best Sport of the Year.

The men's 4x100m relay team, which won gold at the Doha Asian Games and the 24th SEA Games, setting a new Games record, was selected the Best Team of the Year.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation