Wednesday in Korat saw the remaining last-16 matches played to a conclusion, involving several players who have played professionally in the last decade or so.
The opening match of the day between 2007 IBSF World Champion Atthasit Mahitti and young Poramin Danjirakul was not an especially high scoring affair, but Atthasit played solidly in the latter part of the contest to overcome a 2-0 deficit and seal a 4-2 victory and a place in the quarter finals.
In the afternoon games, Bahrain’s Habib Subah came from behind to snatch a 4-3 win over Pisit Chansri – a steady player who frequently makes the venue stages but seems to lack the firepower to crack the last four. A match that promised no shortage of firepower between Chantaburi natives Issara Kachaiwong and Mana U-Praphai followed, with Issara in destructive mood compiling 90, 47, 50 and 68 in a swift 4-0 triumph.
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In the final match of the day you would expect high quality at a more sedate pace, as 43 year-old Noppadon Noppachorn – one of only a handful of Thais to sport ginger hair – met 36 year-old Suchakree Poomjaeng – better known as Kwan Poomjaeng during his professional days, and the older brother of current IBSF World Champion Dechawat. Clearly Noppadon was in good form as he opened a 2-0 lead with breaks of 51 and 71, before embarking on a maximum attempt in the third frame which finally broke down on 97, putting an end to his hopes of a 147,000 baht payday; around £3000. Kwan managed to steal the next to narrow the deficit, but Noppadon’s scoring prowess was merely interrupted as he knocked in a 74 to move into the last eight by a 4-1 margin.
Thursday’s quarter finals are as follows:
Nittiwat Kanchanasri v Tai Pichit
Sompol Saetang v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Atthasit Mahitti v Habib Subah
Issara Kachaiwong v Noppadon Noppachorn