Thailand's Chatchapong Nasa earned a place on the World Snooker Tour for the first time by beating Liu Linhao 4-0 in the semi-finals of Asia-Oceania Q School Event 1 in Bangkok on Sunday.
Nasa, age 27, wins a place on the pro circuit for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. He will be one of at least five Thai players on the tour next season, joining Noppon Saengkham, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Sunny Akani and Mink Nutcharut.
“I was very nervous at the start because this match meant so much to me,” said Nasa. “I have entered Q School for four years - the first time in the UK - but I didn’t succeed. This is my third time trying in Thailand. I have been training six to eight hours every day for this event. After I won four matches in the earlier rounds, I told myself 'this is it. I must qualify this year.’ I’m so relieved to get through in the first event and not have to start all over again tomorrow.
“I want to thank the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand for providing this opportunity for Thai and Asian players to earn tour cards without having to travel to the UK. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to S1 and all my sponsors who have supported me throughout.”
In an all-Chinese second semi-final, Liu Wenwei overcame Luo Zetao 4-3 and also earned a tour card for the first time.
Luo led 2-1 before Liu hit back with breaks of 75 and 56 to move ahead 3-2. In frame six, Luo made the highest break of the tournament so far with 117 to force the decider. But it was Liu who held his nerve, potting a brilliant long yellow to seal victory.
Asia Oceania Event 2 starts on Monday 19th May with two more tour cards up for grab.