"Cheerthai Prize": A Reward of Pride,
Last Sunday, I had the honor of being invited by the “Cheerthai Power Club”
to receive the "Cheerthai Prize" or Cheerthai's Founder Award,
held to mark the 25th anniversary of the club’s founding, "Cheerthai Power's Quarter a Century."
This award was given to 30 individuals in Thai football who serve as exemplary figures to the Thai national football fans and football community.
They have also contributed positively and promoted the club’s activities over time.
Importantly, these recipients have supported and promoted Cheerthai Power since its early days, starting in 2000.
The event was led by Pauline (formerly Pinij) Ngampring, the club’s founder and first president, held at 1st Avenue Stadium on Bangbuathong-Suphanburi Road.
From morning until dusk, the activities included the 15th Cheerthai Power Football Day, a friendly match among fan clubs of various teams, gathering with great enthusiasm.
In the evening, the Cheerthai's Founder Award ceremony took place, simple and informal,
but filled with genuine friendship and heartfelt spirit from the football fans.
The “Cheerthai Power Club” has endured 25 years of challenges and is about to enter its 26th year with solid stability.
It stands as a great example of a large and strong gathering of Thai national team supporters.
Beginning in 2000 with its first president, Pinij Ngampring, who founded the club,
followed by the second president, Chaiwat Kaewphluak, and the third president, Prasit Chaengthinpa.
Currently, “President Pump” Phanupong Udomsin leads as the fourth-generation Cheerthai president.
Receiving the "Cheerthai Prize" is a great honor for sports journalists directly involved in Thai football.
Three of us were selected to join this event.
I am “Bee Bangpakong” Worathep Makphoka, columnist for Thairath Newspaper Column and former sports reporter for Thairath.
“Or Wang Ong” Komkrit Napalai, former reporter and columnist for Lokkeaw and Komchadluek newspapers,
and “Jungceylon” Paitoon Chutimakornkul, president of the Sports Journalists and Photographers Association of Thailand.
Pauline prepared a script for the emcee to speak impressively about the three of us on stage as follows.
Worathep Makphoka,
Who in Thai football does not know “Bee Bangpakong” from Thairath newspaper?
Both Bee and Pinij hold mutual respect for each other.
They first met in 2004 when Bee invited Pinij to appear on a program alongside Nivat Srisawat on Big Pae Thirachai Wuttitham’s show.
Since then, they have continuously supported one another.
Komkrit Napalai,
“Pee Or,” a senior reporter at Komchadluek, well-known by the pen name “Or Wang Ong,” is close friends with Thawatchai Damrongongtrakul (Wang) and Dusit Chalermsan (Ong).
Pee Or is one of the founders of the Football History Association of Thailand and has collected important artifacts of Thai football dating back to the reign of King Rama VI.
Interestingly, Pee Or is also a university classmate of Pinij Ngampring at Bangkok University.
Paitoon Chutimakornkul,
“Pee Men,” president of the Sports Journalists and Photographers Association of Thailand and former advisor to Prime Minister Settha Thavisin,
is a prominent figure in the media and Thai football circles from past to present.
Sometimes Pee Men may appear stern, but his opinions expressed through his writings as “Jungceylon” in Siam Sport
are always straightforward and sincere.
Many others also received honorary awards from the Cheerthai Power Club on this occasion.
They personally traveled to receive their awards from Pauline.
Including “Big Tong” Kittirat Na Ranong, former Deputy Prime Minister and former manager of the Thai national football team,
a strong member of Cheerthai Power who has supported all club activities consistently.
“Zico” Kiatisuk Senamuang, former beloved head coach of the national team,
was the first football player to receive the Cheerthai award.
“Pee Tom” Chaiwat Luewattanon, famously known as “Tommy Bar,”
founder of the Facebook page “Thai Football in the Past,” which collects stories and photos related to Thai football, preserving the sport’s history in our country.
“The Eldest of Muangthong” Pipat Waramethpipat, former head of Muangthong United’s cheerleading in its early days, who long supported Cheerthai.
Also “Nong Bird” Natchapong Muhammad, a well-known news announcer from iTV, Channel 7, and Thairath TV currently,
who served as the first secretary of the Cheerthai Club and was a close advisor to Pinij during a crisis period for Cheerthai.
He continues to be a valued consultant for the club to this day.
This is just a part of the memorable moments from the recent award ceremony.
I apologize to many others who attended the event but whom I have not mentioned due to the large number of participants.
Thanks to Pauline and all members of the Cheerthai Power Club for honoring my profession as a sports journalist.
The "Cheerthai Prize" is a lifetime honor bestowed by football fans,
the “12th Player” of the Thai national football team,
a deeply valuable and heartfelt recognition indeed!
- Bee Bangpakong -