The decision to host the tournament comes after an agreement was signed between AIBA President CK Wu and Thailand Boxing Association vice-president Chamlong Boongrapue.

Bangkok enjoys strong links with the AIBA after hosting its Executive Committee meeting at the start of this year.

The Thailand capital is also involved in the AIBA-owned World Series of Boxing (WSB) tournament.

It debuted in the competition this term (season two) with its new franchise, Bangkok Elephants.

"Thailand has been one of AIBA's strongest partners," said Wu.

"I am very pleased to be bringing one of our most important events to a country where boxing is one of the most popular and beloved of sports.

"I really look forward to seeing our youth boxers in action in the wonderful setting of Thailand."

"It is our great honour to host this prestigious AIBA event in our country," said Boongrapue.

"We will do our utmost to make this event a very successful boxing competition which all participating youth boxers will remember for a long time."


Boxing has been a successful sport for Thailand at the Olympic Games with boxers accounting for the majority of the country's 21 medals won.

Payao Poontarat was the first Thai to win an Olympic gong when the light-flyweight took bronze at the 1976 Montreal Games while featherweight Somluck Kamsing (pictured above, in blue) earned the country's first gold at Atlanta in 1996.

Bangkok, far the most populous city in Thailand with about 12 million inhabitants, is also the political, social and economic centre of the country.

It is also considered to be one of the world's biggest tourist hotspots and boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues, such as the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Siam - and later Thailand - since 1782.

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