Hua Hin, Thailand, March 8, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Thailand Open Hua Hin 2023, a WTA 250 tournament held in February in Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, is still remembered by professional tennis players and remains a topic of conversation more than a month after its conclusion.

Hua Hin is known for its numerous attractions, including the Vana Nava Water Park, the Cicada Market, and the white sand beach – all popular draws for international visitors. But this seaside resort has much more to offer. That's why the Proud Group and the True Arena Sport Club, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), have partnered to promote Hua Hin as a cultural and wellness destination for tourists from around the world, utilizing social media and word-of-mouth.

The first Player ACES activity took place at Gallery Hua Hin, a vintage car museum located on the second floor of the Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall. In attendance were 2019 Thailand Open champion and former world No. 21 Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine, former world No. 26 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia, and world No. 142 Katie Boulter of Great Britain. The classic car collection delighted the three WTA players, who even had the opportunity to sit in some of the vintage vehicles. In addition to the classic cars, the gallery also displays paintings by internationally renowned and local artists. The three players also received an introduction to eco-printing, where they were shown how to transfer colors and shapes from leaves onto fabric bags. Furthermore, they watched a demonstration by young students painting shoes.

Another ACES activity focused on Muay Thai, the traditional self-defense style that utilizes fists, elbows, forearms, feet, head, and body in combat. The program was provided to participants by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the tournament organizers. On this occasion, world number 115 Tamara Zidansek from Slovenia and world number 139 Nao Hibino from Japan donned boxing gloves at the Legend Arena and honed their fighting techniques under the guidance of Yaowapa Boorapolchai, bronze medalist at the 2004 Taekwondo Olympics and current boxing promoter.

Meanwhile, Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure (world ranking 96) and former world ranking 105 Han Xinyun from China underwent beauty and body treatments with Dr. Chanunchida Choomwiset at the Chevala Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of the Bluport.

One of the most unusual activities chosen by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the organizers for the players was a cooking class. The 2019 US Open champion and former world No. 4 Bianca Andreescu of Canada, the world No. 41 Lin Zhu of China, and the world No. 330 Ellen Perez of Australia participated in the "Thai Cuisine at Proud Thai" course. There, at the Proud Thai restaurant on the first floor of the Bluport Hotel, they learned how to prepare pineapple fried rice. Pineapple fried rice is a well-known and popular dish among foreigners, while pineapples are a famous product of Prachuab Khiri Khan. The players also learned how to make taro balls and sweet eggs in coconut cream—a delicious Thai dessert. A wide variety of coconuts from farmers in Hua Hin were used for the course. During the cooking class, a dulcimer band played, and Andreescu was so impressed by the Thai instrument that she wanted to try it herself.

Later, Andreescu, Lin, and Perez visited the same location to view regional handicrafts that reflected Thai lifestyles and the charm of various communities across the country. These artifacts included Benjarong porcelain, traditional ceramics from the Tha Hong Thai manufactory in Ratchaburi, bamboo weaving from Chonburi, Yan Lipao products from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, reed mats from Chanthaburi, wooden items, woven fabrics, gold, silver, and brass wares, and accessories.

Last but not least, a traditional Thai dance performance by the Lookmai Nattasin Hua Hin group, comprised of local school and university students, delighted the players and VIP guests of the Thailand Open at a welcome party on the beach of the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort. This dance performance was part of the tournament organizers' promotional efforts, undertaken in response to a campaign by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT had called for the Thailand Open 2023 in Hua Hin to be used as a tool of soft power to promote business and tourism in Hua Hin.

The Thailand Open 2023 in Hua Hin was ultimately a resounding success. Chinese player Lin Zhu emerged as the tournament winner. In addition to the singles title, she also took home unforgettable impressions of Thai culture.