Thai woman wins World Women’s Snooker Championship

A Thai woman has won the World Women’s Snooker Championship defeating her Chinese rival six frames to three.

Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan competed at the Hi-end Snooker Club on Saturday night, becoming the second Thai woman to win the Women’s Snooker Championship. Last year, Mink Saraburi, another Thai player won the championship. But, Siripaporn defeated Mink in the semi-finals and went on to play Bai Yulu.

According to Thai PBS World, the 23 year old defeated her Chinese rival Bai Yulu after competing under the best of 11 frames rule. Bai won 3-2 in the first session but lost the second match when Siripaporn won four frames in a row to secure the title.

In the 21 year old category, Thai player Ploy Khon Kaen came second after she was beaten by Indian champion Anupama Ramachandran. Am Nakhon Pathom was also defeated by Indian champion, Amee Kamani, in the Snooker Challenge Championship.

Siripaporn’s victory has given her a chance to join other Thai professional players competing on the snooker circuit. Among those players are Moo Paknam, F Nakhon Nayok, Jack Saraburi, and Mink Saraburi.

Siripaporn received a cash prize of 331,000 baht for her win. Meanwhile, the men’s World Snooker Championship title was scooped by Englishman Ronnie O’Sullivan. He received 20.7 million baht for his win.

In other news, Thailand is resuming cockfighting and other animal fights, with gambling allowed under strict conditions, the Ministry of Interior announced on Friday.

Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Suttipong Junjaroen officially announced that cockfighting, horse racing, Siamese fighting fish battles, bullfighting and cow racing may all resume now that the pandemic has subsided.

Betting will be permitted under strict conditions, so long as the venue obtains a permit and adheres to the rules and regulations set by the ministry.

The bloodsports will be promoted as a form of Thailand’s ‘soft power‘ to encourage foreign tourists to attend matches and place bets, which will benefit the economy, according to the Ministry of Justice.

For instance, cockfighting and Siamese fighting fish battles will only be allowed on weekends and must not be held on Buddhist days.

Furthermore, animal fights “must be conducted with the welfare of the animals in mind.” The frequency of animal fight betting will be limited depending on the province and underage participants will not be permitted.