James Wattana

James Wattana is a Thai former professional snooker player who became one of Asia's first global stars in the sport. Born in Bangkok on January 17, 1970, he turned professional in 1989 and climbed to world number 3 during the 1994–95 season. Over a career spanning three decades, he won three ranking titles, reached the World Championship semi-finals twice, and became the eighth player in history to surpass £1 million in prize money. His composed, methodical style and exceptional cue ball control made him a formidable competitor against the British and European players who dominated the game.

In Thailand, Wattana is a household name, known affectionately as "Tong Sit Choi," a nickname earned at age 14 after winning a local youth tournament. He inspired a generation of Thai players and helped popularize snooker across Asia. After retiring from the main tour in 2020, he remained active in exhibitions and mentoring young talent, and he continued to win gold medals at Southeast Asian Games events into his fifties. His legacy extends beyond his trophies to the path he forged for Asian snooker on the world stage. [edit]

Wattana grew up in Bangkok in a family with no prior connection to professional sport. His father, Kowin Pu-Ob-Orm, nicknamed "Choi Susas," introduced him to snooker at a young age and became his first mentor. The father-son bond over the game shaped Wattana's entire career. At age 14, he won a local youth tournament, earning the nickname "Tong Sit Choi", roughly translating to "Tong, Disciple of Choi", with "Choi" derived from his father's nickname. This moniker stuck with him throughout his career in Thailand.

Wattana's early promise was evident. He displayed exceptional hand-eye coordination and an intuitive understanding of cue ball control that set him apart from his peers. His father's dedication, providing access to tables and coaching despite modest means, was pivotal. By his late teens, Wattana had established himself as the dominant young player in Thailand and turned professional in 1989 at age 19. [edit]

Wattana's breakthrough came quickly. In 1991 he scored his first maximum break at the World Masters, then a second at the British Open in 7 minutes 9 seconds, the fastest ever recorded at the time. He won his first ranking title at the 1992 Strachan Open and made his Crucible Theatre debut that year, losing to eventual champion Stephen Hendry in the second round. The following year he reached the World Championship semi-finals, losing to Jimmy White.

He won the Thailand Open in 1994 and again in 1995, and during the 1994–95 season reached his career-high world ranking of No. 3. He made a second World Championship semi-final in 1997. Wattana also shone in multi-sport events, winning gold at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok (team), the 2007 Asian Indoor Games in Macau (individual), the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou (team), the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi (individual 6-red), and the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh (6-red doubles). After dropping off the main tour in 2008, he returned in 2009 and received invitational tour cards in 2014, 2016, and 2018, extending his career until the end of the 2019–20 season. [edit]

Wattana was known for his composed, methodical playing style and exceptional cue ball control. In Thailand, he is regarded as a national sporting hero who put Thai snooker on the world map. Thai media has consistently portrayed him as a pioneering figure, the player who proved Asian players could compete at the highest level of a traditionally British-dominated sport. His fan base spans generations, and his nickname "Tong Sit Choi" is widely known among Thai sports fans. As a player, his public persona was reserved and professional, focused on his game rather than personality-driven content. [edit]

James Wattana commands a legacy of global attention defined by his status as the first Far Eastern superstar in snooker, bridging a cultural gap in a sport long dominated by British players. While his active career concluded decades ago, his historical footprint remains immense across Asia. According to iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluation from August 2026, James Wattana is currently evaluated but holds no placement in the published rankings, meaning he does not appear on the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence reflects his transition from an active competitor to a revered historical figure rather than a current viral sensation. His audience is best described as a silent reverence within the broader snooker community and a source of national pride in Thailand. There is no documented formal fandom name or organized fan clubs specifically dedicated to him; instead, his support base consists of generations inspired by his pioneering career. The most enduring story fans retell involves the police escorts he required during his peak in the early 1990s, a logistical necessity born from the sheer volume of admirers that made public appearances dangerous without protection. Unlike modern stars who cultivate interactive digital followings, Wattana's influence operates through quiet inspiration, mentoring the next wave of Thai talent and serving as a symbol of what was possible for Asian athletes.[edit]

James Wattana legally changed his birth name from Wattana Pu-Ob-Orm to Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm in 2003, though he continued competing under the moniker James Wattana throughout his later years. He stands as one of only 18 players in history to record more than two maximum breaks professionally, achieving this feat three times with his 1991 British Open break standing as the fastest on record at just 7 minutes and 9 seconds. His professional journey spanned three decades from 1989 to 2020, marked by multiple comebacks via invitational tour cards well into his forties. Despite reaching the World Championship semi-finals twice, he never advanced to the final. In a unique athletic feat, he won gold medals across four different multi-sport events spanning 25 years, ranging from 1998 to 2023. Beyond the table, legends persist regarding his celebrity status in Thailand, where the intensity of his following once necessitated police escorts for even simple public appearances. A viral video from a 1994 home match captures a stunning break that cemented his transformation from a competitor into a national hero among Thai supporters. Most recently, in December 2025, he announced his entry into national politics, running for Member of Parliament in Thailand's general election.[edit]

Wattana's father, Kowin Pu-Ob-Orm, nicknamed "Choi Susas," was his first mentor and trainer. The nickname "Tong Sit Choi", "Tong, Disciple of Choi", directly references his father's influence. Wattana has kept his personal life remarkably private; there is no public record of a spouse or children. He has never confirmed a marriage or long-term partnership in any credible source. This privacy is itself noteworthy given his celebrity status in Thailand. [edit]

James Wattana is closely associated with his father and mentor Kowin Pu-Ob-Orm, whose nickname "Choi" inspired Wattana's own moniker. He faced off against snooker legends Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White in key World Championship matches. His success paved the way for later Asian stars like Ding Junhui. [edit]

There are no documented public romantic relationships for James Wattana in any credible source. His personal life has remained entirely out of the public eye throughout his career and into retirement. Unlike many sports celebrities, he has never been linked to high-profile partners, and no tabloid speculation has gained traction in Thai or international media. As of 2026, he is presumed single or privately partnered, with no public record of a spouse or partner. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates James Wattana's net worth at $2 Million in 2026. The bulk of his wealth stems from a career prize money total that exceeded £1 million, making him the eighth player in history to reach that milestone. His peak earning years occurred during the 1990s, a period when prize money values were significantly lower than today's standards. During that era, he served as the face of snooker in Thailand and secured endorsement deals with local brands, though specific financial figures remain undocumented. Since retiring, he has generated income through exhibition appearances, mentoring young players, and potential commercial ventures within Thailand. No celebrity-net-worth websites or financial outlets have published a verified estimate, so this figure represents an editorial inference based on his documented career earnings and modest endorsement history.[edit]

James Wattana won three ranking titles: the 1992 Strachan Open and the Thailand Open in 1994 and 1995. He also earned multiple gold medals at multi-sport events, including the Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, and Southeast Asian Games, across team and individual events. [edit]