Buddhist Celebrities: Buddhist Personality : Paradorn Srichaphan

Name : Paradorn Srichaphan
Nationality : Thailand
Date Of Birth : 14th June 1979
Profession : Professional Tennis Player

Name : Natalie Glebova
Nationality : Canada
Date Of Birth : 11th November 1981
Height : 180cm
Profession : Model

Paradorn started his professional tennis in 1998. His tennis career was at its peak in 2003 when he reached the no.9 ranking in the world and ending that year ranked 11. His success in tennis not only made him a superstar in Thailand but also led to the
rise of popularity in tennis in the kingdom where there was a surge in youngsters taking up the sport. From that year to 2006, Paradorn was the highest ranking player in Thailand. In November 2005, Paradorn took a break from tennis to spend a monastic life as a Buddhist monk in a temple in Thailand for 7 days. During this period he had his head shaved, wore the orange robe and went around to collect food from devotees just like other monks. He missed most of the 2007 season due to injury which caused him to fall entirely out from the ranking by April 2008. Paradorn who was linked to several thai female celebrities suprised many when he dated Natalie Glebova.

Natalie Glebova won the Miss Universe 2005 title in Thailand. Her love affair with Thailand started the moment she arrived in Thailand to compete for the pageant. Even before she won the pageant, she had already caught the attention of Thais. After her reign as Miss Universe, Natalie was appointed as a brand ambassador for Singha Beer, a product of a Thai company. Her tenure as the ambassador for this beer gave her the opportunity to spend more time in Thailand and it was also during this period that she met Paradorn who himself was also an ambassador for the same product. Her love story ( with Paradorn ) was followed closely in Thailand and being beautiful, respectful of Thai culture, ability to speak fairly good Thai, Natalie was loved by Thais. Her engagement to Paradorn was telecast on national TV in Thailand.

Due to Paradorn's notorisou romantic reputation in the past, many Thais felt that Natalie was too good for him. However when they annouced their marriage, Thais gave their full blessings to the popular couple. Paradorn and the stunning Natalie got married on the 29th November 2007 in Bangkok. They are still happily married until today.