In an electrifying finale at UOB LIVE in Bangkok, Haoran Sun made poker history by clinching the victory at the inaugural WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship. This event, which took place amidst the bustling energy of Thailand’s capital, marked the first major live poker tournament after the Thai government officially recognised poker as a sport. With a huge turnout of 2,337 entries and a prize pool that soared to over 75 million Thai Baht (~$2.3M), it was clear that poker’s footprint in Thailand had only just begun to expand.
Also Read: Bangkok Blinds Up: WPT Prime Ignites Thai Poker Scene
2025 WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Travel Funds (THB) | Value in USD |
| 1 | Haoran Sun | China | 11,477,000 | $353,497 |
| 2 | Philipp Zukernik | Canada | 7,620,000 | $234,699 |
| 3 | Duhan Lee | South Korea | 5,658,000 | $174,269 |
| 4 | Hong Cai | China | 4,231,000 | $130,317 |
| 5 | Alex Lee | Singapore | 3,201,000 | $98,592 |
| 6 | Atsunobu Konishi | Japan | 2,442,000 | $75,215 |
| 7 | Allen Nielsen | Denmark | 1,879,000 | $57,874 |
| 8 | Amit Ashkenazi | Israel | 1,458,000 | $44,907 |
| 9 | Nikhil Kedia | India | 1,142,000 | $35,174 |
The Aggressive Rise of Haoran Sun
At 33, Haoran Sun, a former engineer turned poker professional, demonstrated both experience and instinct during his journey through the championship. After starting strong on Day 1b, Sun maintained his position near the top of the leaderboard and never looked back. Known for his aggressive style, he wasted no time asserting dominance during the final heads-up against Philipp Zukernik, clinching victory in just two hands.
Haoran Sun’s Reward: A $353,497 Win & A Spot at the WPT World Championship
With the win, Sun not only took home 11,477,000 THB (~$353,497) in travel funds but also secured a coveted seat at the 2025 WPT World Championship at the Wynn Las Vegas this December. His swift victory and composure under pressure were a testament to his dedication to the game.
Action of the Final Day
The final day of the tournament was a rollercoaster of emotions, with intense play from the very first hand. Regulations in Thailand’s live poker market limited play to just six hours a day, resulting in fast-paced action and an average of only 11 big blinds at the start of the final day. The format was brutal—five players had severe short stacks, and it didn’t take long for the field to narrow down.
As the day progressed, each hand had the potential to change the game. Chi Wei Lo, forced all-in on the very first hand, was eliminated immediately. Nikhil Kedia from India, after an impressive rally, secured his second final table appearance of the series but ultimately finished in 9th place.
Meanwhile, Hong Cai emerged as the chip leader after knocking out three opponents in quick succession. However, Cai’s fortunes soon turned, and he was eventually eliminated. In an intense showdown, Alex Lee, the start-of-the-day chip leader, bowed out in 5th place after a bad run of luck.
FAQs
What is the WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship?
- The WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship is the first major poker tournament in Thailand, hosted by PokerTalk Thailand and WPTGlobal, attracting a large international field of players.
Who is Haoran Sun?
- Haoran Sun is a 33-year-old engineer from China who transitioned to professional poker. He won the 2025 WPT Prime Thailand Exhibition Championship, claiming the top prize of 11,477,000 THB (~$353,497).
How many entries did the tournament attract?
- The tournament attracted 2,337 entries across four starting days, generating a prize pool of 75,488,000 THB (~$2,325,052).
What are the regulations for live poker events in Thailand?
- Due to Thai regulations, poker play is restricted to six hours per day, which led to shorter game levels and an intense, fast-paced final day of action.
When is the 2025 WPT World Championship?
- The 2025 WPT World Championship will be held at the Wynn Las Vegas in December, where Haoran Sun has secured a seat.
Content Courtesy: POKERNEWS