体坛新闻：Chinese badminton stars to attend Thailand Open GP gold

A number of top badminton players led by world number two Chen Jin and third-ranked Chen Hong will take part in the 2007 SCG Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold next month.

The Chinese stars head the 120,000 U.S. dollars tournament, which will be held at Bangkok's Nimibutr Gymnasium from July 3-8, local newspaper the Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday.

It has attracted 400 shuttlers from 40 countries and regions and it is the biggest event ever held by the Badminton Association of Thailand, said the association's president Charoen Wattanasin.

"The tournament attracts many world class players because it is one of the 2008 Olympic qualifying events," said Charoen.

Apart from Chen Jin, who was the 2007 Swiss Open champion and last year's Thailand Open runner-up, and world number three Chen Hong, the Chinese squad also include Thailand Open defending champion Chen Yu, who is ranked fifth in the world.

Thailand's challenge will be led by world number eight Boonsak Ponsana who is seeded fourth in the tournament. The Thai star will take on Malaysia's Pei Wee Chung in the first round of the men's singles