Charoen Wattanasin

Charoen Wattanasin (born 1937) is a Thai badminton player who won international championships in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Career Between 1958 and 1962 Wattanasin captured the open men's singles titles of Malaya, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, and France. He also shared the open men's doubles titles of Malaya, Scotland, the Netherlands, and the USA. Wattanasin was a men's singles runner-up to Denmark's formidable Erland Kops at the All-England Championships in 1960 and 1962. He represented Thailand in the Thomas Cup (men's international team) campaigns of 1957-1958 and 1963-1964.

Corruption scandal In 2000, Wattanasin was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame. However, there were scandals and corruption issues when he was the president of the Badminton Association of Thailand between 2009 and 2013. In 2010, 16 players and coaches quit Badminton Association of Thailand as they did not receive supporting fee from the association, while Wattanasin claimed that he already provided support.

Political perspective In 2014, Wattanasin criticised the European Union's decision to impose political sanctions against Thailand for overthrowing an elected government by stating that Thai people should ban products from the EU, particularly cars, and stop travelling to the EU as well; however, his sons owned BMWs and his daughter was a communication general manager for Chanel Thailand.

Personal life He is a father of two famous singers Jirayut Wattanasin and Jetrin Wattanasin.

Achievements Asian Games Men's Doubles

SEAP Games Men's singles

Men's doubles YearVenuePartnerOpponentScoreResult 1959 National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Kamal Sudthivanich Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi 15–12, 15–14Gold Gold

International tournaments Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result1958 Malaysia Open Teh Kew San 15–9, 15–4 Winner 1959 Canadian Open Tan Joe Hock 4–15, 10–15 Runner-up 1959 U.S. Open Tan Joe Hock 15–7, 5–15, 14–18 Runner-up 1959 Malaysia Open Teh Kew San 15–11, 15–12 Winner 1959 Western Indian Championships Erland Kops 13–15, 3–12 retired Runner-up 1960 All England Open Erland Kops 11–15, 15–11, 6–15 Runner-up 1960 Norwegian International Bertil Glans 15–5, 15–3 Winner 1961 Dutch Open Ferry Sonneville 8–15, 5–15 Runner-up 1961 Scottish Open Robert McCoig 4–15, 15–12, 15–9 Winner 1962 Scottish Open Trevor Coates 15–3, 15–4 Winner 1962 Lancashire Open Roger Mills 15–4, 15–4 Winner 1962 Dutch Open Ferry Sonneville 7–15, 3–15 Runner-up 1962 Irish Open Robert McCoig 15–6, 15–8 Winner 1962 All England Open Erland Kops 10–15, 5–15 Runner-up 1962 French Open Finn Kobberø 15–4, 18–13 Winner 1962 Malaysia Open Channarong Ratanaseangsuang 15–4, 7–15, 15–8 Winner

Men's doubles

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1962 Dutch Open Els Robbé Oon Chong Teik Ulla Rasmussen 10–15, 5–15 Runner-up 1962 French Open Veronica Brock Finn Kobberø Tan Gaik Bee 3–15, 2–15 Runner-up

Invitational tournament Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1959 World Invitational Championships Teh Kew San 15–1, 15–7 Gold Gold