Kieran’s impressive victory in the men’s 10,000m came hot on the heels of 19-year-old Puripol Boonson completing his second hat-trick of SEA Games sprint titles on Monday night, reports the Bangkok Post.
The Harvard graduate crossed the line in 29min 41.82sec, having already secured the 1,500m and 5,000m crowns earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, the national cycling squad surpassed their medal target after sealing an eighth gold of the tournament yesterday, on a day when Thai esports player Naphat Warasin was expelled from competition for using unauthorised software during a match.
Thailand strengthened their position in the keelboat SSL47 event at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Chonburi, ending the second day of racing with a commanding advantage.
With Her Majesty the Queen serving as strategist, the Thai crew delivered another composed and disciplined display, winning Races 4 and 5 to finish the day on seven points.
Malaysia sit second on 12, with Myanmar third on 15. The champions will be decided tomorrow, with the lowest aggregate score taking the title.
Triple for Puripol
At Supachalasai Stadium, Puripol added another chapter to his burgeoning reputation with a blistering second leg in the men’s 4x100m relay, helping Thailand to a new Games record of 38.28sec.
The quartet - Puripol, Thawatchai Himaiad, Chayut Khongprasit and Soraoat Dapbang - eclipsed the previous national mark of 38.58sec set in Hanoi in 2022.
The victory secured Puripol’s third sprint gold of the Games, matching his treble from two years ago. Malaysia claimed silver in 39.03sec, with Indonesia taking bronze in 39.51sec.
Thailand completed a relay double in the women’s 4x100m, where Jirapat Khanonta produced a superb anchor leg to overhaul Vietnam in the final metres.
The team - Jirapat, Manatsada Sanmanno, Supanich Poolkerd and Sukanda Petraksa - clocked 43.88sec, narrowly ahead of Vietnam (43.91sec) and the Philippines (43.97sec).
Cyclists continue to reign
Thailand’s cyclists added further shine to the country’s medal tally, with Sarawut Sirironnachai producing a dramatic late burst to win the men’s individual road race before spearheading the team to gold in the men’s team event.
The 157km route saw repeated attacks from Indonesian and Filipino riders on the climbs.
But Sarawut timed his effort to perfection, reeling in Indonesia’s Syelhan Nurrahmat and Vietnam’s Pham Le Xuan Loc in the final 100 metres to take victory in 4hr 13min 05sec.
Thanakhan Chaiyasombat finished fifth and Peerapol Chawchiangkwang seventh, ensuring Thailand topped the team standings with a combined time of 12hr 40min 42sec, ahead of Malaysia and Indonesia.
General Decha Hemkrasri, president of the Thai Cycling Association, praised the squad’s discipline and consistency, noting that the team had already exceeded their six-gold target with a haul of eight golds, four silvers and two bronzes.
Thailand remain in contention for further medals in today’s women’s road race and on the track.
Chaba Kaew eye bronze
Thailand’s women’s football team are targeting a strong response as they prepare for today’s bronze-medal match against Indonesia in Chonburi.
Head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian said her side had analysed Indonesia’s approach from their earlier meeting in the group stage and were determined to finish the tournament on a high.
“Our aim is always to perform at our highest level,” she said. “We will prepare as well as possible to get the win and the medal we want.”
Kick-off is at 3.30pm, with live coverage on NBT 2HD and TrueVisions NOW.
Faint hopes for tennis glory
Thailand’s hopes of a tennis singles gold now rest with Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who advanced to the women’s singles final after Indonesia’s Janic Tjen retired injured while trailing 6-4 in their semi-final.
Mananchaya will face top seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, who defeated Thailand’s Thasasporn Naklo 6-1, 6-4.
In the pool, Thailand closed their swimming campaign with a fifth gold and four bronzes on Monday night.
Surasit Thongdeang won the men’s 200m butterfly in 1min 59.64sec, adding to his bronze in the 100m.
Kamonchanok Kwanmuang collected two more bronzes - in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and the 800m freestyle - taking her tally to six medals.
Thailand’s swimmers finished with five golds, seven silvers and nine bronzes, while the artistic swimming squad contributed two golds, one silver and one bronze.
Weightlifting added further success, with Phattharathida Wongsing winning the women’s 69kg title with a combined lift of 229kg (101kg snatch, 128kg clean and jerk).
Thanaporn Satie secured bronze in the women’s 63kg, while Natthawut Suepsuan took bronze in the men’s 79kg.