This will be the second time that Thailand has organized such an event. In 2013 Thailand hosted the 15th event which was held in the northern province of Chiang Rai.
Governor Nisit Chansomwong said Phuket felt grateful that the International Pencak Silat Federation had designated Phuket to be the host of 16th world championship. Pencak Silat is a popular sport in many ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Therefore, holding the event is also tightening relationships within ASEAN and also between the grouping and all members of the federation.
The competition is also a part of the plan to prepare Thai Pencak Silat athletes for the Asian Games in Indonesia in the next four years, when Pencak Silat will be included in the games for the first time. – See more at: http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5710120010003#sthash.Xj2RzcaB.dpuf