Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hosted the Thai women’s national volleyball team at Government House, following their historic victory at the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, which secured their long-sought qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Prime Minister Anutin expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishment, remarking that the national celebration provided a brief respite from political criticism as public sentiment turned overwhelmingly positive overnight.
He commended the athletes for flying the national flag high, noting how deeply moving it was to hear the Thai national anthem played on foreign soil in China. He pledged full government backing for further upgrades to sports infrastructure, science and welfare systems across all disciplines.
During the visit, the national team presented Anutin with a volleyball signed by all the players.
In a lighthearted moment, the Prime Minister showcased his own skills by setting and underhand-passing the ball with team captain Pornpun Guedpard, creating a warm and lively atmosphere in the Purple Room of the Thai Khu Fah Building.
Demonstrating direct support, the Prime Minister authorised real-time financial rewards totalling over 14.7 million baht, to be disbursed immediately into the athletes.
He instructed officials to build a display box for the signed ball, which will be kept at Government House, while politely declining the team's offer to leave the championship trophy behind, stating the original trophy belonged at the association as a badge of pride for the players.
Speaking to reporters later, Anutin reiterated the government's commitment to developing Thai athletes into top-tier global contenders. He revealed that the team is scheduled to depart for Japan for a training camp, ahead of the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, asking the public to offer their moral support as several players continue to manage physical fatigue and lingering injuries.
The delegation was led by Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul and Deputy Prime Minister Thongsuk Thongsri, alongside key sports leaders including Charoen Wattanasin, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) Governor Kongsak Yodmanee, Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) President Somporn Chaibangyang and head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai.
Addressing the gathering, TVA President Somporn emphasised that the landmark success was the culmination of a 40-year development roadmap encompassing short-, medium- and long-term targets.
He noted that, while the national program faced heartbreaks and missed qualifications since setting its sights on the Olympics in 1997, the team's perseverance finally paid off on August 30.
He also extended gratitude to the administration's ‘Prime Minister’s Youth’ initiative, for providing critical grass root-to-national support.
