As last night, the country’s haul stood at 232 golds, with more expected before the close of competition. The figure comfortably eclipsed the previous record of 205, set by Vietnam at their home Games in 2021 - an edition delayed and disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The achievement underscored Thailand’s dominance across a wide spectrum of sports, with boxing, tennis, cycling, winter disciplines and emerging team events all contributing to a historic tally, reports the Bangkok Post.
Boxing brilliance
The boxers led the way yesterday, delivering a splendid show in the ring that produced seven gold medals, with six finals still to be contested.
Thai women fighters were particularly impressive, winning six of seven finals at Chulalongkorn University Sports Centre.
Olympic bronze medallist Janjaem Suwannapheng defeated Singapore’s Diane Warden Xiu Yu Leah 5-0 to secure gold in the women’s 66kg division. Fellow Olympians Chuthamat Raksat and Baison Manikon also triumphed, the former beating the Philippines’ Aira Villegas 5-0 in the 50kg final, while Baison overcame Vietnam’s Ngoc Mai Hoang 4-1 to take the 70kg crown.
Other winners included Yodrawee Thipsatcha (48kg), Natnicha Chongprongklang (54kg), Punrawee Ruenros (57kg) and Thananya Somnuek (63kg). Apisada Tantawa had to settle for silver after losing to Vietnam’s Thi Linh Ha in the 60kg final.
The men added further gloss to the tally. Thitiwat Phlongaurai (48kg) and Thanarat Saengphet (54kg) both claimed gold, though Thitisan Panmot was edged 3-2 by Indonesia’s Vicky Tahumil Junior in the 51kg final.
Ice hockey history
The Thai women’s ice hockey team made history by winning SEA Games gold in the event’s debut appearance. At the International Ice Hockey Arena in Bangkok, the hosts crushed the Philippines 13-4 in the final.
Her Majesty the Queen, herself a gold medallist in keelboat sailing earlier on Thursday, attended the match and presented medals to all participants - a gesture that underscored the significance of the occasion.
Elsewhere, Thailand settled for silver in men’s field hockey after losing 8-0 to Malaysia.
In beach volleyball, both men’s and women’s teams took silver medals, the men falling 2-1 to Indonesia and the women losing 2-0 to the Philippines.
Tennis triumph
Maximus Jones Parapol ended Thailand’s decade-long wait for a SEA Games men’s singles tennis gold. The Thai-Australian star overcame compatriot Kasidit Samrej in three sets - 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 - in the final at the National Tennis Development Centre, Muang Thong Thani.
It was the first Thai men’s singles crown since Waris Sornbutnark triumphed at the 28th Games in Singapore in 2015. For Maximus, it marked a second gold of the tournament, having already won the men’s doubles title with Pruchya Isaro.
Elsewhere, Peangtarn Plipluech and Mananchaya Swangkaew lost the women’s doubles final to Indonesia’s Janice Tjen and Aidilia Sutjiadi, while Peangtarn paired with Pruchya Isaro to win mixed doubles gold against compatriots Patcharin Cheapchandej and Pawit Sornlaksup.
Thailand concluded the tennis campaign with three golds from seven events, a return that reinforced the hosts’ strength in both singles and doubles formats.
Cycling surge
Cycling provided another highlight as Thurakit Boonratanathanakorn captured Thailand’s tenth gold of the discipline.
He dominated the men’s points race, scoring 38 points to finish ten clear of Malaysia’s Newjoe Lau, with Indonesia’s Bernard Benyamin Van Aert third on 11.
The victory capped a strong showing by Thai cyclists, who combined endurance, tactical nous and sprinting power to secure a string of podium finishes across track and road events.
Skating breakthrough
Thailand’s short track speed skating team delivered a standout performance, capturing five golds and one silver to underline the nation’s growing strength in winter sports.
The women’s squad claimed two golds in the 500m and 1,500m, alongside a silver in the latter. On the men’s side, Thailand secured gold in the 1,500m, while both the men’s and women’s relay teams added two more titles.
Combined with achievements in figure skating, the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand closed the Games with seven golds, two silvers and one bronze.
Cricket dominance
Thai women once again asserted their supremacy in regional cricket, completing a sweep of gold medals.
In the women’s T20 final, Malaysia managed only 58 runs in their 20 overs, losing eight wickets. Thailand chased down the target with ease, winning by seven wickets with ten overs to spare.
The victory gave the hosts their second women’s gold of the tournament.
Football heartbreak
However, Thailand’s bid to reclaim regional supremacy in football ended in anguish on Thursday night - and with it came an unwanted piece of history as the men’s national team failed to win SEA Games gold on home soil for the first time in 50 years.
At Rajamangala National Stadium, the young War Elephants surrendered a two-goal lead and fell 3-2 to Vietnam after extra time in the final of the 33rd edition.
What began as a night of promise - and for 30 minutes looked destined to become a triumphant home coronation - unravelled into one of the most painful defeats Thai football has suffered on home ground.