The semi final line-up is now complete in Korat after Thursday’s round of matches, as veteran Tai Pichit gave hope to senior players everwhere, seeing off yet another youngster to stay in the hunt for the title.
The day began with Tai Pichit taking on young adversary Nittiwat Kanchanasri. Best known perhaps for demolishing a young Stephen Hendry 5-2 back in 1994, the 48 year-old Tai was the oldest man left in the draw, and he needed every ounce of his experience to take control of a fairly scrappy encounter at the Klang Plaza venue. The pair shared the first two frames, but from that point on, the match slipped away from Nittiwat as Tai moved into the last four with a 4-1 win.
The tone of the second game was a different matter entirely, with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title and in no mood to be delayed by Sompol Saetang. The match lasted a total of 47 minutes as Thepchaiya produced breaks of 84, 52, 64 and 59 to book a date with Tai Pichit in Friday’s semi finals.
The closest match of the day came when Atthasit Mahitti faced Habib Subah, and the Bahraini kept the foreign flag flying as he triumphed 4-3. Habib’s semi final opponent will be Noppadon Noppachorn who continued his excellent run of form with a 4-1 win over Issara Kachaiwong. A pair of fifties helped Noppadon on his way, while Issara managed a single run of 65 in the one frame he secured.
Meanwhile at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Snooker’s President Sindhu Pulsiriwong was on hand to welcome back the three Thai youngsters who performed so well in Montreal in the IBSF World Under-21 Championships. Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon brought back the winner’s trophy, while runner-up Noppon Saengkham and quarter finalist Akani Songsermsawat also played their part in a great tournament for Thailand.