The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has handpicked Thai official Pannipar Kamnueng to serve at its director of women referees.
Pannipar has been the head of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) referees development initiative for sometime now.
The appointment is aimed at helping the Asian women referees reach a higher level of proficiency.
Pannipar said: "I am feeling really happy that the AFC officials want me to work with them.
"This is not an opportunity that comes along very often, so I will do my best for the development of Asian women referees.
"I also want the Thai referees to continue developing themselves. In football circles, the Thai referees are now considered to be among the top in Asia."
FAT president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang also welcomed Pannipar's appointment as the chief of the AFC's women referees' panel.
"As a part of its 20-year development plan, the FAT is trying to push its people by creating opportunities for them to work at the Asian level," said Somyot.
"We have sent many Thai officials to work with the AFC in different capacities at a number of tournaments and in various projects.
"Ms Pannipar has gained a lot of experience by working as the head of the FAT referees development programme, which made the AFC interested in offering her a position.
"I am sure Ms Pannipar will become successful working with the AFC as its director of women referees."
Pannipar was chosen for the 2007 Fifa Women's World Cup in China and refereed Brazil's 5-0 win over New Zealand.
