Jeeno Thitikul poses with the Vare Trophy, the CME Group trophy, and the Player of the Year trophy after her victory at the Tour Championship 2025. AFP
Jeeno Thitikul becoming the first Thai golfer to finish an LPGA Tour season as world No.1, sprinter Puripol Boonson breaking the 10‑second barrier, and Thailand successfully reclaiming their Southeast Asian (SEA) Games supremacy were among the highlights of an extraordinary year for Thai sport.
Across golf, athletics, taekwondo, volleyball, badminton and even motorsport ambitions, 2025 delivered milestones that underscored Thailand’s growing presence on the global stage.
Jeeno reaches summit
Jeeno Thitikul climbed to No.1 in the women’s world golf rankings for the second time in her career in August and became the first Thai to end an LPGA Tour season as the top‑ranked player. Her campaign was defined by consistency and brilliance, capped by a tour‑best three titles.
The Ratchaburi native won the Americas Open in May, added the LPGA Shanghai crown in October, and sealed her second consecutive season‑ending Tour Championship in November. That victory brought her the richest prize in women’s golf — US$4 million (128 million baht). Jeeno also led the Tour with four runner‑up finishes and 14 top‑10 efforts, underlining her dominance.
The 22‑year‑old’s achievements were further recognised with the LPGA Player of the Year award and the prestigious Vare Trophy for season‑low scoring average. She broke the long‑standing record of 68.70 set by Swedish legend Annika Sorenstam in 2002, cementing her place among the game’s elite.
Puripol Boonson celebrates after winning the men’s 100m race at the 33rd SEA Games. Nutthawat Wichieanbut
SEA Games supremacy
Thai athletes reclaimed their SEA Games crown in emphatic fashion, winning a record‑breaking 233 gold medals at the 33rd edition of the biennial tournament, hosted in the Kingdom for the first time in 18 years.
The 12‑day event produced unforgettable performances, none more so than sprint sensation Puripol Boonson. The 19‑year‑old became the first Southeast Asian to break the 10‑second barrier, clocking 9.94 in the 100m heats. He went on to win the final in 10 seconds flat, before completing a golden treble with victories in the 200m and 4x100m relay.
Her Majesty the Queen also made history, serving as strategist and navigator to guide the sailing team to gold in the mixed keelboat SSL47 event, which debuted at the Games. The Queen’s leadership extended beyond competition, as she led the Thai delegation at the opening ceremony on Dec 9.
Taekwondo world champion Banlung Tubtimdang. The Sports Authority of Thailand PR
Taekwondo’s new star
With two‑time Olympic champion Panipak Wongpattanakit retiring after the Paris Games, Thai taekwondo looked to the future — and found a new star in Banlung Tubtimdang.
The 22‑year‑old captured his maiden world title in Wuxi, China, in October, winning the men’s 68kg crown and becoming only the sixth Thai athlete to claim a world taekwondo title. It marked a step up from his silver medal in the 63kg division at the 2023 championships in Baku.
Banlung added a SEA Games gold medal in his debut tournament, reinforcing his status as a cornerstone of the national team. His rise has given Thai taekwondo fresh momentum as preparations begin for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, next year.
The Thai women’s volleyball team celebrate with their SEA Games gold medals. The Thai Volleyball Association
Volleyball resilience
Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai’s second spell as head coach of the women’s national volleyball team began with challenges. The squad struggled at the 2025 FIVB Nations League, narrowly avoiding relegation thanks to a point earned against Canada in their final match.
Yet the team rallied at the women’s world championship, hosted in Thailand for the first time, reaching the round of 16. They fell to Vietnam in the SEA V‑League final and faced the same rivals in a tense SEA Games gold medal match, ultimately prevailing to claim their 17th regional title.
The men’s team, guided by Korean coach Park Ki‑Won, added to the success. They edged three‑time defending champions Indonesia in the SEA Games final, completing a double for Thailand after earlier triumphing in the SEA V‑League.
Mixed doubles players Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran celebrate after winning the China Masters. AFP
Badminton brilliance
Thai badminton enjoyed a standout year, led by mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran.
The duo were named Mixed Doubles Pair of the Year after winning five World Tour titles in their first full season together. Their victories spanned all four levels of the circuit — Malaysia Open (Super 1000), Thailand Masters (Super 300), Singapore Open, China Masters (Super 750), and Kumamoto Japan Masters (Super 500). They capped the year with a silver medal at the SEA Games.
In singles, Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn briefly reached the men’s world No.1 ranking in June, the first Thai to do so, though his reign lasted just seven weeks. He was also runner‑up at the world championships in Paris.
Meanwhile, Ratchanok Intanon, long a trailblazer for Thai badminton, finally secured her first SEA Games gold medal in her farewell appearance at the biennial event, alongside two World Tour titles and a return to the season‑ending Finals after a two‑year absence.
Motorsport ambitions
Beyond traditional sports, Thailand made headlines with its ambition to host Formula One.
In June, the cabinet formally approved a government bid to stage races in Bangkok, valued at US$1.2 billion (approximately 38.4 billion baht). If successful, the capital would host F1 from 2028 to 2032.
The Sports Authority of Thailand unveiled a proposed street circuit in November, launching a public opinion survey. The 5.732km track would run between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station and Chatuchak Park, with a capacity of 108,200 spectators.
The bid, now awaiting FIA consideration, signals Thailand’s intent to join the ranks of global motorsport hosts.
