Thailand made their World Grand Prix debut
in 2002 and have participated in every one since except the 2007 edition of the
competition, when Thailand played host to the World University Games. Their
best World Grand Prix performance to date came in 2012 when they finished
fourth after beating Cuba and China. Last year Thailand finished 13th in the
tournament. Between their two Asian Championship wins in 2009 and 2013, they
also triumphed in the Asian Cup in 2012. They have racked up 11 victories at
the South East Asian Games, where they have taken gold in each of the last
seven tournaments.
Since making their World Championship debut in 1998, they
have taken part twice more in the tournament and competed at the Grand
Champions Cup twice and the World Cup once.
There is a long tradition of successful
sports teams in Thailand presenting a member of the country’s royal family with
the spoils of their victories, and the women’s volleyball team upholds this
ritual. In May they gave a 2013 Asian Championship gold medal to Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn. They had previously given her the gold they won in the
competition in 2009, and they will be hoping to deliver more royal presents to
the princess after their World Grand Prix campaign is finished.
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