Thai superfan Parinya Weerawong has been cheering at international sporting events for 15 years, but his enthusiasm showed no sign of waning on the Asian Games as he stuffed flags into his hat and beat the drums hanging from his waist.
The 60-year-old petrochemical company worker donned a conventional Thai scarlet outfit in Jakarta, where he devoted most of his boundless energy to weightlifting and boxing.
“I got here to support many sports for which I could get tickets. If there have been any sports being played at the identical time, I could not support them, so I send my regards,” Weerawong said, showing his flag-painted cheeks.
Weerawong, who has attended 10 Southeast Asian Games, six Asian Games and three Olympic Games, has spent close to at least one hundred thousand dollars traveling around the globe.
However, Thai sports authorities are actually paying for his accommodation, saying it helps athletes within the country, and he’s receiving help from his company to cover travel costs.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/2337178/original/087033400_1534854242-WhatsApp_Image_2018-08-21_at_6.24.36_PM.jpeg "Parinya Weerawong at the 2018 Asian Games. Photo: AKURAT.CO/Taufik Hidayat")
“When they saw the importance of what we were doing, they helped because it is difficult due to transportation, accommodation and budget,” said Weerawong, who designs his costumes to resemble traditional costumes from northeastern Thailand.
Weerawong said his passion for sports began as a young man when he was an avid runner, although he now prefers to play bowls.
“I loved sports from an early age. I used to be an athlete and a runner, but I wasn’t that good,” he said.
Source : National Multimedia
