Thongchai continues to establish himself as one of Asia's greatest players. In 2009, he claimed his 11th and 12th titles on the Asian Tour with victories at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and Ballantine's Championship in Korea, making him the player with the most wins on the Asian Tour. ...

Thongchai continues to establish himself as one of Asia's greatest players. In 2009, he claimed his 11th and 12th titles on the Asian Tour with victories at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and Ballantine's Championship in Korea, making him the player with the most wins on the Asian Tour. Both victories helped him lift an unprecedented third Order of Merit crown and break into the world's top-50 for the first time in his career. Finished tied 13th at the British Open, his best outing in a Major. Also finished tied 10th in the Singha Thailand Open and tied fifth in the Black Mountain Masters on home soil and throughout 30 appearances worldwide, he only missed three cuts. He leads the Asian Tour career earnings list with over US$3 million and also finished top-20 in the European Tour's Order of Merit. After a slow start to his 2008 season which was hit by injuries and illness, Thongchai won back-to-back events - the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters and Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open - at the end of the year. His triumphs saw him match compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant's record number of 10 career wins in Asia at the time. His win in Vietnam came via a play-off and ended a two-year winless streak. It also coincided with the arrival of his second son, whom he said was born on a lucky day as it was the same as the King of Thailand's birthday. The family subsequently nicknamed the son "Champion". He finished second in the Worldwide Selangor Masters and was 68th on the European Tour Order of Merit. From between 2001 and 2006, he did not finish outside the top-three of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit. In 2007, the former paratrooper lost his streak of winning a title in every year since 2000 but it was still a highly successful season as he notched two top-10s, including a runner-up finish at the UBS Hong Kong Open and four top-20s. He mixes his schedule by playing in Europe since 2003 and has finished in the top-60 of the money list in five of the last six seasons. In 2006, Thongchai won the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia title on home soil, adding to three other top-three finishes. Enjoyed a career high when he was invited to play in the US Masters, becoming only the second Thai after Sukree Onsham to feature at Augusta National, but missed the halfway cut. Finished second behind Korea's Charlie Wi in the weather-shortened Maybank Malaysian Open in his bid for an historic third straight victory, but found consolation as the runner-up finish made him the first player in Asian Tour history to surpass US$2 million in career earnings. Also finished tied third in the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and UBS Hong Kong Open. Posted a career first top-10 at the WGC-American Express Championship in England. The former paratrooper finished second on the Order of Merit in 2005, thanks mainly to his victory in the Malaysian Open. Also made history in July by becoming the first Thai to play in all four rounds of the British Open at St Andrews. In 2004, he won the Myanmar Open and Malaysian Open back-to-back in February which helped him lift his second career Order of Merit title. The Malaysian triumph made him the first Thai to win on the European Tour and victory was made more memorable as he aced the 16th hole in the final round at Saujana Golf and Country Club. He wrapped up his 2004 season by winning the Order of Merit crown with a then record earnings of US$381,929 from nine events. In 2003, Thongchai won the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok, a week after he failed to earn his US PGA Tour card at the Qualifying School Finals. In 2001 he also won the Order of Merit title in Asia, beating Korea's Charlie Wi after a thrilling duel. Thongchai prevailed thanks to his win in the Indian Open and he had no fewer than 10 other top-10 finishes. That year he also made headlines for qualifying and playing in all four rounds of the US Open, becoming the first Thai to do so. Also played in the British Open in 2002 but had to withdraw on the second day because of a back injury. As an amateur, Thongchai won the individual and team title in the Putra Cup in 1998 and won the amateur titles of Singapore and Thailand. Also won the Putra Cup individual  title in 1997, and was a member of the Thai team that won the South East Asian Games in 1995. Claimed the Pakistan Amateur Championship in 1995. 

 

Thongchai turned professional when he was 30 as he served as a Ranger in the Royal Thai Army, regularly making parachute drops and was committed to represent Thailand in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. He was allowed to play plenty of golf and enjoyed a distinguished amateur career. When he was younger he represented his home province in football. ...

Thongchai turned professional when he was 30 as he served as a Ranger in the Royal Thai Army, regularly making parachute drops and was committed to represent Thailand in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. He was allowed to play plenty of golf and enjoyed a distinguished amateur career. When he was younger he represented his home province in football. Adored football great Pele before getting hooked to golf. First club was a three iron head stuck on a bamboo stick. After winning the Malaysian Open, the Thai government presented him with a diplomatic passport. In 2006, he opened his own golf academy with over 20 youngsters under his wing in Lopburi "as I want to give back to the game."