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The Thailand Bodybuilding Association organised its 28th edition of the Mr. Thailand in the weekend of 17-18 May. This competition is one of Thailand's three major bodybuilding events, the others being the Latchford Classic in October, and the National Games in December.

Although originally planned for March in Chang Rai, the competition was moved from the north of the country to the capitol, as the originally intended venue was not ready in time. Bangkok's Thai-Japan Youth Centre therefore provided the stage for 119 athletes who competed in 14 different classes. The winner of the men's overall bodybuilding category was awarded the "HRH Princes Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Cup" and the title of "Mr. Thailand".

Athletes from the Thai national team were unable to compete as they were in the midst of preparing for the Asian Championships hosted by Hong Kong coming July. These athletes represent some of Asia's best competitive bodybuilders: at the Asian Championships in Shanghai last year, only host China managed to win more medals than Thailand.

This left the field wide open to anyone aiming for a top spot.

• In the Junior Men Bodybuilding category, a much improved สนธยา บุญเหลือ surprised himself by beating ชาญวิทย์ ์ชัยวงศ์ who had won the previous two editions of the Mr. Thailand. ชาญวิทย์ ์ชัยวงศ์ may not have been at his best as he had to serve in the army for most of the year. เสริม เสนีย์ศรีสกุล prolonged his title in the Master Men Bodybuilding class for bodybuilders of 45 years and older.


• Many more women took part in the event compared to other years. However, nobody was able to dethrone รุ้งตะวัน จินดาซิงห์, as she easily expanded her trophy case with 2 more wins from the Women Bodybuilding and the Ms. Fitness categories. ขนิษฐา มะคงสุข, a stewardess for Thai Airways, was the surprising new face in the new Body Fitness category and rightfully took home the title.


• The new Body Classic category proved to be very popular with 34 athletes going for gold in 2 separate classes. Body Classic for Novices was won by 22 year old พิชิตพงศ์ มังคลาด from Chang Mai, who was a familiar face on the fitness scene and has now moved over to bodybuilding. Expect to see a lot more from him in the future. The winner in the other Body Classic category, for "experienced" bodybuilders, was ปริญญา อ้ายเหมย, also 22 years old and also from Chang Mai. Number two, วรกร วงศกรเมือง, may have lost the top spot by shedding too much weight: he came in at 72kg whereas he normally competes in the 85kg category.


• ดำรงด์ศักดิ์ สร้อยศรี crossover from bodybuilding to fitness paid off handsomely. His inspired performance in the Mr. Fitness class won out over เมฆินทร์ อายุวัฒนมงคล. เมฆินทร์ อายุวัฒนมงคล, who usually competes in bodybuilding, came in thick at 77kg and looked rather out of place in this category.


• Coming in at 60kg, the 160cm tall อำนวย เชื้อเมืองพาน decisively won the 60kg bodybuilding category for men. 41 year old เศกสรรค์ สินเส็ง squeezed out a win over จักรวัฒน์ อินทะรังษี, 12 years his junior, in the 65kg category. A perhaps arguable decision based on quantity vs quality. The 70kg category was easily won by ก้องทิตย์ หาญชัยยุทธกร. He may not have the most pleasant physique, but ก้องทิตย์ หาญชัยยุทธกร always comes in thick and hard. We think the judges had the most difficulty deciding the top 3 of the 80kg category. It went to ภานุพงษ์ ประทีป, followed by ศรายุทธ พรหมมา and กุศล ลาเสือ. In the "over 80kg" category, the decision was easy: at 85kg, 165cm แสวง ปานะโปย came out head and shoulders above the rest of the field. An honorable mention goes out to runner-up สุรชัย ปลั่งเอี่ยม, who has made admirable progress in the past year.

The Men Bodybuilding Overall was deservedly awarded to แสวง ปานะโปย who prolonged his title as "Mr. Thailand".

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