Koh Samui: The Queen’s Cup, one of Thailand’s most popular golf tournaments, will return for its fourth edition at the stunning Santiburi Samui Country Club in Koh Samui from June 14 to 17, 2012.

Bangkok Airways, the Sports Authority of Thailand, Thailand PGA and Asian Tour jointly announced Thailand’s upcoming event in a press conference where a total prize fund of US$300,000 will be on offer to the region’s top stars led by title holder Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand.

Sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Thailand PGA, the Queen’s Cup is held in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit.

Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways, said: “We are particularly excited to be organising this tournament for the fourth year in honour of our beloved Queen Sirikit. We have always strived to take Thai golf tournaments onto the international level and through this tournament, we hope to draw a larger number of golf enthusiasts who consequently will stimulate Samui’s tourism.”

M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, Bangkok Airways Vice President - Corporate Communications and Chairman of the Tournament Committee, commented: “The previous year’s tournament was very well received and was followed immensely by golf fans around the region which Samui has already become known as a new destination for golf.

“The tournament’s pro-am will be held on June 13 to give an exclusive chance to local amateur golfers to compete with Asia’s top professional golfers. Moreover, the tournament will be broadcast live on True Sport and a one-hour highlights package will be shown on the Asian Tour’s global television platform while the event will also be featured on the Asian Tour Golf Show.”

Kanokphand Chulakasem, Director of Professional Sports Competitions Division, Sport Authority of Thailand, said: “The Queen’s Cup Bangkok Airways – SAT Samui Golf Tournament 2012 is one of the major golf tournaments each year which continues to significantly develop Thai golf to the next level. This is an excellent opportunity for Thai golfers to compete side by side with the world’s top players.”
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han lauded the Queen’s Cup, saying the event has produced great champions on the Asian Tour. In the inaugural edition in 2009, Thai star Chinnarat Phadungsil claimed victory while in 2010, Japanese ace Tetsuji Hiratsuka was triumphant before Chawalit’s success last season.

“The Queen’s Cup has become a truly popular tournament on our Schedule, due largely to the fact that it is staged on the holiday isle of Samui and on a truly demanding golf course. Our players have enjoyed competing in this event since 2009 and we have welcomed worthy champions along the way.

“Thailand is a wonderful partner of the Asian Tour and we are grateful that we will stage three events in the Kingdom this season. On behalf of our talented players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to our sponsors as they continue to support professional golf at the highest level in Asia,” said Han.

Next month’s Queen’s Cup will include many famous Thai golfers. The confirmed list from Thailand include Thaworn Wiratchant, who won the Bangkok Airways Open in Samui in 2008, Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Chawalit.