Latest celeb couple will be formidable badminton team

What – too soon for the gossip angle? If that’s what you think, you’re not paying attention to the social media. 

See, you have to get quickly past all the boring details on the front pages. May won the singles title at the OUE Singapore tournament, totally spoiling the day for defending champion Sun Yu of China by a score that had a bunch of 21s in it. May also became the sport’s first female singles player ever to win three Superseries titles in as many weeks, having stormed through India and Malaysia as well.

She’s also now, and this is the big one, the first Thai female World No 1 in badminton, joining a gilded roster that goes all the way back to 1960 and the first Thai world champ, flyweight boxer Pone Kingpetch. 

So you’ve got all that, plus the facts that May’s from Yasothon, turned professional in 2007 and six years later won the World Championships by upsetting Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui, and she once posted on Instagram (@ratchanokmay) that she dreamed of becoming World No 1.

On Sunday she did, so let’s get on with the real story. With her galactic triumph, May not only endeared herself to the nation but also earned official permission to get serious with her boyfriend, Pannawit “Tawan” Thongnuam, who just happens to be a national badminton champion himself. 

May’s father, Winuchai, had agreed to let their love proceed only if she first dedicated herself to the mission at hand. “I want Nong May to focus on the tournament,” he told reporters on April 11. “Having a boyfriend shouldn’t be allowed to affect her practising. I’d like her to become the Singapore Open champion, and if she can do that, I’ll let May and Tawan take their relationship forward.”

“What? Green card!” May celebrated after her win on Sunday in a post witnessed by more than 47,000 people. Her boyfriend chimed in @witpannawit_th, “Thank you Rachanok who brings happiness to all Thais,” adding photos of May holding the championship plate. Tawan’s hashtags, if you’re looking, are #Congratulations to the new world No 1, #Congratulations to 3 Superseries, and #See you tomorrow.

The usual horde of news media and fans was at Don Mueang Airport yesterday morning to welcome May home, though surprisingly Tawan wasn’t in the crowd. May seemed unfazed, chatting with reporters and waving to the fans with a big smile. Tawan has plenty of time to congratulate May in person anyway – or at least a week. Then he has to fly to Wuhan, China, for the Asian Championships lasting through May 1. 

For now we’re all watching May and Tawan’s Instagram feeds for glimpses of love set free to blossom.