Thailand is not only famous for its natural beauty and smiling people but also for its achievements in sports, especially in golf and the Olympic Games.
Carrying the Kingdom's flag, the Thai golfers have triumphed at many international events in both men and women's tournaments.
Their success has come as no surprise as both private and government sectors have joined hands to develop sports at both amateur and professional levels.
The All Thailand Golf Tour is now a prominent circuit in the region.
Established in 1999, the circuit is now well regarded as an ideal stage for golfers to hone their skills and get themselves ready for more challenging tours.
Many generations of Thai golfers have enjoyed success on the international stage.
Sukree Onsham was the first one to play on the Japan Golf Tour, while Suthep Meesawat is the first local star to win the Thailand Open title in 1991.
Boonchu Ruangkit has bagged five Asian Tour titles and also has five wins on the European Senior Tour.
The next generation features stars such as Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng, Thaworn Wiratchant, Thammanoon Sriroj and Chawalit Plaphol, who have accounted for 50 Asian Tour titles among them.
Additionally, Thongchai has had eight wins on the European Tour, while Prayad has six on Japan's regular tour and eight on the Japan Senior Tour.
Chapchai Nirat and Prom Meesawat have won six Asian Tour titles between them with the former claiming four.
World No.40 Kiradech Aphibarnrat, currently Thailand's highest ranked player, is now leading the country's young guns, including Phachara Khongwatmai, Danthai Boonma, Rattanon Wannasrichan, Poom Saksansin, Jazz Janewattananond and Natipong Srithong.
Kiradech, 28, will be making his second appearance at the Masters in April before joining Danthai and Jazz, both 22, at the 147th British Open in July.
All Thailand Golf Tour commissioner Jakraphong Thongyai said the ATGT has grown from strength to strength since its establishment.
At the heart of the tour's success are the contributions of all partners who have spent considerable time and effort in promoting the sport.
"I feel really grateful to all the parties involved. Without them, we won't be where we are at the moment," said Jakraphong.
"The sponsors and other golf organisations also play important roles towards our growth. Some have focused on the youth development while the others provided opportunities for the professionals.
"Working together, I am confident the ATGT will be much stronger and this will not only benefit the golfers but also the country.
"We now have more well-known players as our honorary members, while more foreign golfers are participating and winning on the tour. At the first tournament this year, the women's title went to current KLPGA No.1 Jeong Eun-Lee."
This year, Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts, Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry, Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Lucas Bjerregaard, Finland's Mikko Korhonen and Mikko Ilonen, Alexander Levy of France, Lee Slattery of England, Marcel Siem of Germany and Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal have joined the tour as honorary members.
Four-time European Tour winner Siem said he felt honoured to become a part of the ATGT family, which is loaded with young and talented players.
"The platform the tour has now with the venues and the sponsors has the potential for growth," said Siem.
"There are lots of Thai players on the European Tour. They are professionals, friendly and well-behaved. That is the way it should be around the world.
"The young are taught to behave properly, be nice and be proper.
"I think you do a great job here in Thailand. All the Thai players are welcome on the [European] tour."
This year's provisional schedule for the ATGT has already been announced and the first winner of the year was Rattanon, who beat Pavit Tangkamolprasert in a play-off at the E-san Open in Khon Kaen a couple of weeks ago.
The second leg will be the 5.3-million-baht Singha Masters, the tour's most lucrative event, in Chiang Rai next month. The ATGT will also organise tournaments in Phuket, Chon Buri and Rayong and stage an inaugural event in Nakhon Pathom which will hosts the All Thailand Premier Championship in May.
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour's Chief Operating Officer, said the All Thailand Golf Tour and Asian Tour share common goals with both aiming to raise the standard of their golfers to the world level.
The Thai golfers are a big part of the Asian Tour, as they form the majority both in terms of membership and number of victories, he said.
"Our goal is to have an Asian Tour born and bred player win a major soon and it is most likely going to be a Thai golfer. There are so many Thai players on the world stage right now," he said.
YE Yang of South Korea is the only major winner from Asia with his victory at the 2009 PGA Championship.