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Thai Superfan Bangs the Drum at Asian Games

Thai Superfan Bangs the Drum at Asian Games
Parinya Weerawong in Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia © The Nation Multimedia

 

 Thai superfan Parinya Weerawong has been cheering at international sports events for 15 years, but his enthusiasm was undiminished at the Asian Games as he jammed flags into his hat and beat drums hanging from his waist. 

The 60-year-old petro-chemical company employee sported a traditional Thai scarlet outfit in Jakarta, where he devoted most of his boundless energy to the weight-lifting and boxing.

This picture taken on August 29 shows Thai supporter Parinya Weerawong (R) attending the boxing event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Image: AFP
This picture taken on August 29 shows Thai supporter Parinya Weerawong (R) attending the boxing event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Image: AFP

"I came to cheer for many sports that I could get the tickets to get into. If some sports play at the same time, I couldn't cheer for them so I send my regards," said Weerawong, showing off his flag-painted cheeks.  

Weerawong, who has been to 10 Southeast Asian Games, six Asian Games and three Olympics, has spent close to a hundred thousand dollars touring the world.

But the Thai sports authorities now pay for his accommodation, saying it helps the nation's athletes, and he gets help from his company for the travel costs.

Parinya Weerawong in Asian Games 2018. Image: AKURAT.CO/Taufik Hidayat
Parinya Weerawong in Asian Games 2018. Image: AKURAT.CO/Taufik Hidayat

 

"After they saw the significance of what we do they helped out because it's difficult for transportation, accommodation and budget," said Weerawong, who designs his costumes to resemble traditional attire from north-east Thailand.

Weerawong said his passion for sport was sparked as a young man when he was a keen runner, although these days he prefers bowling.

"I loved sports since I was young. I was an athlete, a runner but I was not that good," he said.

 

Source : The Nation Multimedia

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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