Cyclist Jutatip Maneephan and bowling player Yannapol Larpaparat were named the best amateur athletes of the year by the Sports Writers’ Association of Thailand.
Both won gold medals at last year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Jutatip received the female award ahead of fellow Asian Games champions, BMX star Amanda Carr and taekwondo fighter Chanatip Sonkham.
Yannapol, who earned Thailand’s first gold medal of the 2014 Asian Games, got the male award ahead of boxer Wutthichai Masuk, another Asian Games gold medallist, and footballer Chanathip Songkrasin who helped Thailand reclaim the AFF Suzuki Cup last year.
The award for the best professional athlete went to boxer Amnat Ruenroeng, who successfully retained his IBF flyweight title against China’s Zou Shiming in Macau earlier this month.
Amnat beat golfer Thongchai Jaidee and WBC minimumweight champion Wanheng Meenayothin for the title.
Earlier, six-time European Tour winner Thongchai swept the awards from the Sports Authority of Thailand and Siam Sport Syndicate.
However, Amnat was picked by the sports writers after his brilliant win against Zou.
Jutatip, Yannapol and Amnat all received His Majesty the King’s trophies.
Panpayak Jitmuangnon received HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s trophy as the best Muay Thai fighter.
Piti Bhirombhakdi, left, and Rangsrid Luxitanond.
The Thailand Golf Association and the Thai Cycling Association shared the best sports association award thanks to their athletes’ success at the Asian Games.
Thai golfers won one gold, one silver and two bronzes at Incheon for the country’s first ever medals in the sport at the Asian Games, while Jutatip and Amanda were crowned champions in cycling.
TGA president Rangsrid Luxitanond said he was satisfied that his association got recognition from the sports writers.
Golfer Busabakorn Sukhapan, who won silver (individual) and gold (team) in Incheon, was named the best female youth athlete, while weightlifters Sakda Meeboon and Sinphet Kruaythong shared the award in the male category.
Amnat’s trainer Francisco Jaro of the Philippines was named the best professional trainer while national football team boss Kiatisak Senamuang earned the best amateur coach award.
The best team manager was Nuanphan Lamsam, whose women’s football team won the country’s first ever World Cup spot at the senior level.
The women’s football team was the best women’s team, while their men’s compatriots claimed the male award after winning the 2014 Suzuki Cup.
Watcharapol Wongsa and Sakorn Khantasi were the best disabled athletes in the male and female categories respectively.
The most improving sports association was the Thailand Extreme Sports Association, led by Piti Bhirombhakdi, while Nakhon Ratchasima got the best province award.