Japanese star Tetsuji Hiratsuka will defend his title at the Queen's Cup on the Asian Tour from June 16-19, 2011, organisers announced today.

Thai stars Kiradech Aphibarnrat, winner of the SAIL Open in India this year, Prayad Marksaeng, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, and former Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant will also feature in the US$300,000 (approximately 10 million Baht) event at the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club located on the holiday isle of Samui.

Bangkok Airways, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Thailand PGA and Asian Tour jointly announced the Queen's Cup today. The tournament, which made its debut on the Asian Tour in 2009, is held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways, said: "We are excited to be organising this tournament for the third year in honour of our beloved Queen Sirikit. We have strived to take Thai golf tournaments to an international level and we hope the tournament will draw a larger number of golf enthusiasts which will stimulate Samui's tourism sector."

M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, Bangkok Airways' Vice President - Corporate Communications and Chairman of the Tournament Committee commented: "The previous year's tournament was very well received and was followed immensely by golf fans around the region which Samui has already become a new destination for golf.

"The tournament's pro-am will be held on June 15 to give an exclusive chance to local amateur golfers to compete alongside Asia's top professional golfers. The tournament will be broadcast live on True Sport and the one-hour highlight show will be broadcast on the Asian Tour's global platform."

Kanokphan Chulakasem, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand believes the success of the Queen's Cup will continue to raise the standard of play amongst the local golf heroes.

"The Queen's Cup is one of the major golf tournaments that continue to develop Thai golfers to the next level. This is an excellent opportunity for Thai players to compete alongside the world's top players who will attend this tournament."

The Queen's Cup is sponsored by Bangkok Airways, Sports Authority of Thailand, Santiburi Samui Country Club and co-sponsored by Bangkok Hospital Group, Airbus, BCLN, PTT, Samui Property Fund, Bangkok Bank, Thailand PGA, Bangkok Insurance, Sabre, Arecap and Hertz.

Media partners include The Nation, Bangkok Shuho, Elite magazine and True Vision. The official hotels for this year's tournament include Santiburi Resort, Four Seasons Resort, Samui Palm Beach Resort, Chaba Resort, Amarin Victoria, KC Resort and Mercure Samui Buri Resort.

Last year, Hiratsuka won the title by one shot at Santiburi Samui. It was one of three tournament victories which the Japanese veteran enjoyed on the Asian Tour last season.