# Charoen Wattanasin

Charoen Wattanasin (Thai: เจริญ วรรธนะสิน) (born 1937) is a former badminton player from Thailand who won international championships in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

## Career

Between 1958 and 1962 Wattanasin captured the open men's singles titles of Malaya, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, and France. He also shared the open men's doubles titles of Malaya, Scotland, the Netherlands, and the USA. Wattanasin was a men's singles runner-up to Denmark's formidable Erland Kops at the All-England Championships in 1960 and 1962. He represented Thailand in the Thomas Cup (men's international team) campaigns of 1957-1958 and 1963-1964.

## Corruption scandal

In 2000 he was inducted into the World Badminton Hall of Fame. However, there were scandals and corruption issues when he was the president of the Badminton Association of Thailand between 2009 and 2013. In 2010, 16 players and coaches quit Badminton Association of Thailand as they did not receive supporting fee from the association, while Charoen claimed that he already provided support.

## Political perspective

In 2014, he criticised the European Union's decision to impose political sanctions against Thailand for overthrowing an elected government by stating that Thai people should ban products from the EU, particularly cars, and stop travelling to the EU as well; however, his sons owned BMWs and his daughter was a communication general manager for Chanel Thailand.

## Personal life

He is a father of two famous singers Jirayut Wattanasin and Jetrin Wattanasin.

## Achievements
### Asian Games

Men's Doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1966 | Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Tuly Ulao | Ang Tjin Siang Tjoa Tjong Boan | 15–11, 7–15, 10–15 | Bronze |

### Southeast Asian Peninsular Games

Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1959 | Bangkok, Thailand | Thanoo Khadjadbhye | 14–15, 13–15 | Silver |
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1959 | Bangkok, Thailand | Kamal Sudthivanich | Narong Bhornchima Raphi Kanchanaraphi | 15–12, 15–14 | Gold |

### International tournaments

Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1958 | Malaysia Open | | | Winner |
| 1959 | Canada Open | Tan Joe Hock | 4–15, 10–15 | Runner-up |
| 1959 | US Open | Tan Joe Hock | 15–7, 5–15, 14–18 | Runner-up |
| 1959 | Malaysia Open | Teh Kew San | 15–11, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1960 | All England | Erland Kops | 11–15, 15–11, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1960 | Norwegian International | | | Winner |
| 1961 | Dutch Open | Ferry Sonneville | 8–15, 5–15 | Runner-up |
| 1961 | Scottish Open | | | Winner |
| 1962 | Scottish Open | | | Winner |
| 1962 | Dutch Open | Ferry Sonneville | 7–15, 3–15 | Runner-up |
| 1962 | Irish Open | | | Winner |
| 1962 | All England | Erland Kops | 10–15, 5–15 | Runner-up |
| 1962 | French Open | Finn Kobberø | 15–4, 18–13 | Winner |
| 1962 | Malaysia Open | | | Winner |
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1958 | Malaysia Open | Kamal Sudthivanich | | | Winner |
| 1959 | Canada Open | Thanoo Khadjadbhye | Lim Say Hup Teh Kew San | 15–10, 13–15, 13–15 | Runner-up |
| 1960 | Canada Open | Tan Joe Hock | Lim Say Hup Teh Kew San | 8–15, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1960 | US Open | Finn Kobberø | | | Winner |
| 1962 | Scottish Open | Jimmy Lim | | | Winner |
| 1962 | Dutch Open | Oon Chong Teik | Oon Chong Jin Ole Mertz | 15–12, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1962 | French Open | Torkild Nielsen | Finn Kobberø Bengt Nielsen | 16–18, 15–1, 4–15 | Runner-up |
| 1969 | Canada Open | Tan Joe Hock | Tony Jordan Robert McCoig | 7–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1962 | Dutch Open | Els Robbé | Oon Chong Teik Ulla Rasmussen | 10–15, 5–15 | Runner-up |
| 1962 | French Open | Veronica Brock | Finn Kobberø Tan Gaik Bee | 3–15, 2–15 | Runner-up |

### Invitational tournament

Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1959 | World Invitational Championships | Teh Kew San | 15–1, 15–7 | Gold |