Five sports associations, led by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT), have vowed to deliver a combined tally of 16 gold medals to supplement Thailand’s bid to reclaim the overall title at the upcoming 33rd SEA Games, being hosted at home next month.
The YRAT, together with national associations for shooting, windsurfing, golf and kiteboarding, were the latest to hold a press briefing presenting their medal targets for the SEA Games, due to be held between December 9th and 20th in Bangkok, Chon Buri and Songkhla.
Public interest in the sailing competition has surged, following confirmation that Her Majesty the Queen will represent the country in the keelboat SSL47 category, due to be held at the Ocean Marina Resort Pattaya between December 15th and 18th.
Admiral Arak Kaew-eium, the YRAT advisor, revealed that the Thai sailing team’s best medal prospects lie in five events, including the one in which Her Majesty the Queen will participate.
“We’re targeting 4-5 golds out of eight available at the Games from women’s Optimist, men’s and women’s ILCA 4 and 470 mixed categories. For the keelboat event, I think we have a promising chance (of winning the gold).
“Her Majesty is scheduled to train with the team on November 20th, without asking for any privileges. This Games will truly be another historic event for the country,” said Admiral Arak, who also serves as the team manager.
Brimming with confidence, after observing opponents’ performances at the recent Southeast Asian Shooting Championships, the Shooting Sports Association of Thailand (SSAT) has set an ambitious target of winning five titles.
“Based on an assessment of our opponents’ performances at the championships in October, we believe we can clinch at least five golds. We cannot, however, underestimate the Singapore team who are good at long gun, while the Vietnamese are adept at pistol,” said Sakol Wannapong, the SSAT president.
Spearheaded by teen sensation Pongsapak ‘Fifa’ Laopakdee, who displayed his prodigious talent by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in the United Arab Emirates last month, Thai golfers have their sights fixed on claiming a couple of golds.
“Our team comprises seven golfers, four men and three women. Singapore and Malaysia are our main opponents.
“Our male athletes, especially ‘Fifa’, are in good form, following his Asia-Pacific triumph, while the women’s team is fresh from finishing runners-up at the Asian Youth Games 2025. So, we’re quite confident of snatching two titles at least,” said Kittisak Chaimongkoltrakul, the Thailand Golf Association secretary-general.
Banking on the athletes’ familiarity with weather conditions at the venue, the Windsurfing Association of Thailand is hoping to clinch four gold medals, while the national body for kiteboarding will try to win at least a silver.
Thailand’s expected haul from the home Games has now surpassed the 200 gold medal mark, to stand at 208.
