Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon will return to the World Snooker Tour for the first time since 2016 as he beat Bai Langning 4-1 in the final round of Asia-Oceania Q School event one.
Thailand’s Tirapongpaiboon played on the pro circuit from 2010 to 2016 and notably became the youngest player ever to make an official 147 when he scored a maximum at the age of just 16 in 2010. He also reached the quarter-finals of two European PTC events.
Breaks of 91 and 68 put him 2-0 up on China’s Bai, and though he lost frame three, Tirapongpaiboon went on to take the next two to secure a tour card for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons. Earlier in the penultimate round, he beat India’s Digvijay Kadian 4-3 with a top break of 103.
Following the match, Tirapongpaiboon received a commemorative trophy presented annually by the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand to all successful qualifiers. The award presentation was graciously conducted by H.E. Worasit Liangprasert, Deputy Minister of Interior.
Tirapongpaiboon said: “I practised very hard for this Q School because returning to the main tour has always been my dream since I lost my professional status almost ten years ago. I will do my best to perform better than before.” He also expressed his appreciation to the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, World Snooker Tour and all of his sponsors for their continued support and for giving him the opportunity to qualify in Bangkok.
China’s 23-year-old Deng Haohui earned a place on the tour for the first time as he beat Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh 4-1.
Deng took the first two frames then came from 66-0 down to snatch the third with a superb 67 clearance. Sarkhosh, who played on the circuit for two seasons before relegation as the end of 2025/26, pulled one back, only for Deng to complete the scoreline with a run of 93 in frame five.
Event two of Asia-Oceania Q School 2026 will begin on Wednesday, 20 May, with the remaining two professional tour cards still up for grabs.
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