Her Majesty the Queen has once again demonstrated her growing stature as one of Thailand’s most accomplished sportswomen, playing a pivotal role in steering the national keelboat team to an early advantage in the SSL47 event at the SEA Games.
The opening day of the preliminary series unfolded on Monday at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Chon Buri, where steady winds and calm seas provided ideal conditions for the debut of the high-performance 47-foot keelboats in the regional competition.
The Thai crew, with Her Majesty serving as strategist, delivered a commanding performance.
Thailand secured victories in the first two races before finishing third in the third, placing them at the top of the overall standings with five points.
Malaysia trailed in second on seven, with the Myanmar team hot on their heels on eight points.
With five further races scheduled over the next three days, the contest remains finely poised, though Thailand’s early consistency has set a formidable benchmark.
The team with the lowest accumulated points will be crowned champions on Thursday.
The SSL47 class, making its first appearance at the SEA Games, features mixed-gender crews of eight to ten sailors, with a combined weight limit of 730kg.
The Queen’s involvement has drawn considerable public interest in the event.
Four golds at Sattahip
The host country’s success on the water in the Games extended beyond the keelboat arena.
On Sunday, the national sailing contingent dominated the Sattahip coastline, collecting four gold medals across multiple classes.
Darwin Hsu and Prin Subying delivered a clean sweep in the boys’ and girls’ ILCA4 events, each displaying maturity and precision beyond their years.
In the women’s optimist class, Pailin Jaroenpon claimed gold before partnering with Navee Thamsoontorn to secure another top podium finish in the mixed 470 category.
Their victories reinforced Thailand’s long-standing reputation as a regional powerhouse in youth and dinghy sailing.
Peerapol pedals to victory
Away from the water, Thailand’s cyclists continued to impress. Peerapol Chaochiangkwang produced a commanding ride to win the men’s 41km individual time trial at Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Nayok on Monday, delighting Thai supporters who had gathered along the hilly route.
Peerapol completed the course in 1:07.28 hours, securing Thailand’s sixth cycling gold of the Games. Laotian rider Ariya Phounsavath claimed silver in 1:07.53, while Indonesia’s Aiman Cahyadi took bronze with a time of 1:08.18.
The victory marked the second gold for Thailand’s road cycling squad following Jutatip Maneephan’s triumph in the criterium on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, Indonesia’s Delia Ayustina Priatna won the women’s time trial in 59:18 minutes. Thailand’s Phetdarin Somrat finished second in 1:02.32, with compatriot Chaniporn Batriya taking bronze in 1:02.40.
A sweep for petanque stars
Thailand’s petanque teams delivered a clean sweep at Alongkorn Rajabhat University in Pathum Thani, securing both the men’s and women’s triples gold medals.
The men’s quartet – Phongsakron Ainpu, Charoenwit Ketsattanaban, Panukarn Roeksanit and Anuphon Phathan – overpowered Indonesia 13-7 in a confident display marked by precision shooting and steady composure under pressure.
The women’s team matched that achievement with a 13-7 victory over Vietnam, ensuring Thailand maintained its dominance in a sport where it has traditionally excelled.
There was further success on the baize, where Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan edged world No.1 Nutcharut Wongharuthai 3-2 in an all-Thai final to claim the women’s 6-red snooker title. The closely fought contest showcased the depth of Thailand’s cue-sports talent.
Wakeboarders deliver again
In extreme sports, Thailand added another gold in the open cable wakeboard team event.
The squad – Sarawut Niemkhun, Peeranat Faktongyu, Benjamin Phechyuenyong, Lalada Liew, Bhraebhim Pipatsawaddhi and Paktanun Krisuwansarn – amassed 90 points, with Bhraebhim contributing the highest individual score of 74.33.
For both Bhraebhim and Lalada, the victory marked their second gold of the Games, having already triumphed in the wakeboard team event last Thursday.
The Thailand Extreme Sports Association has now collected four gold medals across wakeboard, wakesurf, cable wakeboard and the women’s skateboard street competition.
Tennis players advance
Thailand’s tennis players also enjoyed a productive day at the National Tennis Development Centre in Nonthaburi.
Maximus Parapol Jones and Kasidit Samrej progressed to the men’s singles semi-finals, while Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Thasasporn Naklao reached the last four in the women’s draw.
Top seed Maximus overcame Singapore’s Yew Chan 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to set up a semi-final meeting with Malaysia’s Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong. Kasidit defeated Malaysia’s Darrshan Suresh Kumar 6-3, 7-5 and will face Indonesia’s Muhammad Rifqi Fitriadi.
In the women’s competition, Mananchaya dispatched Singapore’s Eva Marie Desvignes 6-2, 6-1 and will meet Indonesia’s Janice Tjen next.
Thasasporn, who caused an early upset by eliminating defending champion Priska Madelyn Nugroho, beat Singapore’s Sue Yan Tan 6-1, 6-3 to earn a semi-final clash with top seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
Thailand also advanced in mixed doubles, with the pairs Pruchya Isaro/Peangtarn Plipuech and Patcharin Cheapchandej/Pawit Sornlaksup both reaching the semi-finals.
Bunjong in boxing final
In the boxing ring, Bunjong Sinsiri secured a place in the men’s 69kg final after a decisive 5-0 victory over the Philippines’ Mark Ashley Fajardo.
He will face Singapore’s Jun Jie Velvan Tan in the gold-medal bout.
Bunjong, who reached the quarter-finals of the 63.5kg division at last year’s Paris Olympics, is widely regarded as one of Thailand’s strongest medal prospects in the ring.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
