Cambodian Davis Cup players Bun Kenny, Phalkun Mam and Long Samneang head to Bangkok today to compete in the first leg of Thailand’s regional five-tournament series, the Singha TATP Tour 2016, which begins with the Singha Classic at the Impact Tennis Academy from March 26 to April 3.

The mini tour, which is steadily growing in stature, has attracted some of the top players from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. The quality of the field is expected to be high, with Indonesia’s Christopher Rungkat, currently ranked 463 in the world, leading the charge in this 500,000 Thai baht ($15,500) prize money event.

As many as 194 players have so far entered the men’s singles event. The 32-player main draw will be determined after a three-step process involving two pre-qualifiers followed by qualification rounds.

Cambodia’s top player Bun Kenny is coming off a long break after a troubled right shoulder disrupted his normal training schedules. He has fully recovered after receiving treatment in Phnom Penh and Paris over the past few months.

“I am hopeful of doing well in Bangkok. I am feeling much stronger and more flexible,” Kenny told the Post yesterday.

Along with Kenny, teammates Phalkun Mam and Long Samneang are also hoping to do well and develop the competitive mindset required at this level in preparation for Cambodia’s Asia-Oceania Group III Davis Cup campaign in Tehran in July.

Also travelling to Bangkok with the trio is Chheang Vannasak, who is looking to gain some valuable match play experience as he sets out soon to play college tennis in the United States.