Most internationally acclaimed Thais - Thongchai Jaidee

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Most internationally acclaimed Thais - Thongchai Jaidee

Solid Support for Thai Youth

Currently ranked No. 46 in the world, earning him a spot in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, Thongchai Jaidee is Thailand’s top professional golfer, with a creditable 12 wins on the Asian Tour and quarterfinalist at the World Match Play Championship in 2010.

He also competes on the European Tour, becoming the first Thai to win a tournament – the Carlsberg Malaysian Open – in 2004, which he successfully defended again in 2005. In 2006, he received an invitation to play in the Masters Tournament, making him the first Thai to play in all four major championships.
 
After his victory in the Volvo Masters of Asia, in 2006, he reached 75 in the Official World Golf Rankings. His best year-end ranking on the European Tour Order of Merit was 19th in 2009, and he also topped the Asian Tour Order of Merit for the third time in the same year.
 
Thongchai started playing golf when he was 16, shortly after joining the Royal Thai Army. It was on the Army base golf course that he served first as a caddy, before learning the rudiments of the game. He became so attached to this course that it is his first choice, whenever he plays golf in Thailand.

However, if he has time, he also likes to practice at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin – an especial favourite, with a very challenging layout, championship-standard course conditions and a strong wind to prepare him for playing conditions in Europe and the U.S.

Based on his own experiences as a youngster without any particular skills, Thongchai has a strong commitment to support Thai youth through the “Thongchai Jaidee Foundation”, launched in 2009. This provides opportunities for young Thais to acquire various skills to enable them to earn a living. He believes there may be another “Tiger Woods” among these youngsters, although his prime aims are to interest them in golf, help provide an alternative life and keep them off of drugs.

Thongchai feels that as Thailand is now a top premier golf destination with championship-standard courses at very reasonable prices and is also considered a top holiday destination, it should promote the two more actively as a combined package to attract increased foreign income and boost Thai employment opportunities.

Thongchai still possesses a strong “hunger” to compete in the world’s top tournaments and achieve a creditable performance that will reflect well on Thailand’s golfing capability.