Queen Suthida (right) during a royal ceremony in Bangkok. — Royal Household Bureau/AFP
BANGKOK: Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will compete in the SEA Games sailing event in Pattaya this December, as Thailand targets 64 gold medals across 14 sports, officials confirmed
A second “Meet the Press SEA Games 2025” press conference was held at Rajamangala National Stadium, chaired by Chaiyaphak Siriwat, Vice-Chairman of the Thai Olympic Committee, on Oct 16.
During the event, it was announced to the delight of Thai people that Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will take part in the sailing competition, in the SSL47 keelboat class, between Dec 15 and 18 at the Ocean Marina Resort Pattaya.
Chaiphak acknowledged delays in preparations due to budget constraints but expressed confidence that all parties will unite to fulfil the plan. He reaffirmed that the Thai contingent’s goal remains reclaiming the title of top gold medal nation.
In the press conference, eight sporting associations announced a combined target of 28 additional gold medals. Together with earlier targets of 36 golds from other associations, Thailand now aims for a total of 64 gold medals from 14 sports.
The detailed medal targets by sport are as follows:
- Athletics: 17 golds, supported by an American sprint coach
- Hockey & floorball: 6 golds (women’s hockey five is a key event)
- Tennis: 4 golds, sending top players including Kasidit Samrej and Mananchaya Sawangkaew
- Gymnastics: 4–5 golds, focusing on Tikumporn Surintornta (men’s) and Sasiwimon Mueangphan (women’s)
- Modern pentathlon / shooting: 4 golds in total (debut inclusion in the multi-sport games)
- Weightlifting: 4 golds, fielding full line-up including “Wave” Weeraphon Wichuma and Theerapong Silachai
- Table tennis: 2–3 golds, emphasising the women’s team (two-time defending champions)
- Squash: 1 gold (likely in doubles), aiming to break through for Thailand’s first gold in the event
The third “Meet the Press SEA Games 2025” session is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 28, with seven associations participating – including aquatic sports, snooker, wrestling, extreme sports, rock climbing, jet ski and e-sports. — The Nation/ANN
