Thai Snooker: Bond Looks Dangerous In Nakhon Sawan

The third ranking event of the Thai season is now underway in the central plains venue of Nakhon Sawan – a town which was inundated for several weeks last year in the great flood. The tournament is played in the town’s basketball arena which seats up to 4000 spectators, and one might expect a healthy crowd for Saturday’s semi finals.

In the first match of the day, Nigel Bond takes on Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. The Englishman has already overcome current and former professionals Passakorn Suwannawat and Supoj Saenla by scores of 4-2 and 4-3 respectively, to which he added a 4-1 win over Pisit Chansri to march into the last four. Thepchaiya’s path has been slightly shorter without the wildcard round, and he has so far accounted for Pramual Jantad and James Wattana, both by a 4-2 margin.

Nittiwat Kanchanasri

The second semi final promises further fireworks as young Noppol Saengkham meets Nittiwat Kanchanasri.  Noppol’s week began with a 4-1 win over Suchakree Poomjaeng, and he followed that up with a 4-2 victory against Atthasit Mahitti. The affable and ever-attacking Nittiwat has so far seen off Dechawat Poomjaeng and Yuttapop Pakpoj – the latter a surprise victor over Issara Kachaiwong – both by 4-2 score lines.

Recognition for the scorers

The week’s highest break stands at 136 compiled by Tai Pichit, while the tournament also saw the venue debut of 16 year-old Ratchayothin Yotharak. He may have lost 4-0 to James Wattana without making any impact on the match, but when he found himself deep in trouble in the qualifying stages, 66 points behind with 75 on the table in the deciding frame of his opening match, making the venue might have been the last thing on his mind. A highly polished 68 clearance saved the day, and on the evidence so far, he will be one to look out for in the coming years.

Ratchayothin Yotharak