Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, confirmed that athletes will be competing for a share of US$475,000 (B16.2 million) between May 13-18 at the Nimibutr Arena at the National Stadium in Bangkok.
Furthermore, competitors will be challenging for the official tournament trophy bestowed by His Majesty the King as part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 event, organised in cooperation with the Badminton Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage.
International athletes will be competing in the six-day tournament which will be televised globally to millions of viewers, in addition to the watching spectators in the arena.
Amomg the Thai athletes competing will be newly-crowned Asian champion and world number 2 ranked player Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Also leading the Thai charge will be Ratchanok Intanon, Kantaphon Wangcharoen, Pornpawee Chochuwong, Supanida Ketthong and Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
Joining Minister Sorawong at the press conference on Tuesday was: Khunying Pathama Leeswadtrakul, member of the International Olympic Committee, Vice President of the Badminton World Federation and President of the Badminton Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage; Chakraphol Tangsutthitham, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports; Krisada Tanterdtit, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports; and Dr Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).
Mr Sorawong explained that not only will the tournament showcase top level badminton action from globally renowned athletes but it will provide opportunity for Thailand to demonstrate its ability to host a major international sporting event, highlighting the warm, generous and welcoming Thai spirit.
Tickets go on sale on Monday (Apr 28) at all major Thai ticket branches, ranging from B1,200 to B100. The entire tournament will also be broadcast live on the BWF TV YouTube channel and via True Visions.