Thai students celebrate sporting success

The University of Exeter team: Business School students Nikorn Roongananchai, Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, Ard-ong Jamerbsin, Phakorn Praditthamrong and Drama student Peera Phanlukthao won the gold medal in Sepak Takraw – the sport of kick volleyball, which is popular across South East Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Jedsuda Thavornsakcharoen and Neeranuch Pornchaded, also Business School students, won Gold for female doubles table tennis.

The silver medal for mixed tennis was won by University of Exeter Business School students Tanapond Swanpitak and Phakorn Praditthamrong. The University’s football team won three games and drew two before losing a penalty kick at the quarter finals.

The results made this the most successful year in the history of the Thai Society’s participation in the Samaggi Games. Overall, the University team finished fifth out of 42 UK Thai university societies.

Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, who is known as ‘Jay’ and is undertaking a PhD in Marketing, focusing on Liverpool Football Club, played in both the Sepak Takraw and football teams. To prepare for the Games he went running and weight training at least four times a week and played football two or three times a week. He said: “I set my first priority as my PhD but believe that participation in sport helps to make my studies progress. While other people relax through reading books, watching televisions or films, or listening music, I relax by playing football and running.”

Samaggi Games is an annual sports event, open to all Thai students in the UK. Samaggi Games has ben running since 2000 and is one of the most popular events organised by Samaggi Samagom, the Thai Student Association in the UK. Over 1000 Thai students from around the UK come to play and support the event.