Suvarnabhumi airport: Volleyball fans gave a very warm welcome to the Thai women's volleyball team. Suvarnabhumi Airport was packed with volleyball fans who gave a warm welcome to the Thai women's volleyball team after they won their 4th Asian Championship title and secured their first-ever Olympic Games qualification.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai women's national volleyball team, champions of the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Continental China Championship (their fourth title), and also making history by securing a place at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA, as well as the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Championship in the USA and Canada, returned from Tianjin, People's Republic of China, arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at approximately 9:00 PM yesterday (August 31st) on Thai Airways flight TG 615.
Led by head coach Kiattipong Ratchatagriengkrai, the Thai volleyball team, including captain and MVP/Best Setter, team captain Pornpun Guedparach, best middle blocker Thaddao Nuekjaeng, and best outside hitter Sasiporn Chantavisut, were welcomed by Paskorn Rangsiwattanasak, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports; Somporn Chaibangyang, President of the Volleyball Association of Thailand; Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand; Prodpran Samanmit, Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand; and Tanukiat Chanchum, Manager of the National Sports Development Fund. They presented bouquets of flowers to the team and coaching staff, congratulating them on their outstanding performance and for bringing joy and smiles to the Thai people.
The welcoming ceremony included a traditional Thai drum procession, and a large number of volleyball fans flocked to warmly greet the team, offering flowers, asking for autographs, and taking photos. They enthusiastically expressed their congratulations to the Thai women's volleyball team for securing a place in the Olympics for the first time in history.
Mr. Paskorn Rangsiwattanasak, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, congratulated all the athletes who successfully qualified for the Olympic Games. He stated that this is a source of pride for the Thai people and thanked the coaches, athletes, and all the staff who contributed to this success.
Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, stated that the government recognizes the importance of this success and may therefore provide additional financial incentives beyond the regular prize money to thank all the athletes and team members. Furthermore, there will be an extended training camp for the Olympic Games to ensure the athletes are in peak physical condition for the competition.
Mr. Somporn Chaibangyang, President of the Volleyball Association of Thailand, thanked everyone involved for their support in helping the Thai women's national volleyball team achieve success. He stated that the team will continue to build upon this success and aims to strengthen its capabilities. The next goal is to compete in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, although the roster will be reduced from 14 to 12 players according to Asian Games regulations. The ultimate goal is to win a gold medal.
"Chompoo" Pornpun Guedparach, captain of the Thai women's volleyball team, said that qualifying for the Olympic Games is a source of pride for all the athletes and staff. She thanked all the Thai people for their support and encouragement, which made going to the Olympics incredibly worthwhile.
"Coach Ott" Kiatipong Ratchatagriangrai, the head coach, said that this success is due to the support from all Thai sports fans. Now that they have secured a place in the Olympic Games, there are two years left to prepare the team for the Olympics. From now on, the association will work closely with the Sports Authority of Thailand to build the best team possible. They will need the support of the Thai people once again, as they may need to develop many new players to strengthen the team.
The Thai women's national volleyball team is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on September 3rd at Government House to receive praise for the team's performance before departing for a training camp in Japan in preparation for the 2026 Asian Games.
For their next competition, the Thai women's volleyball team will compete in the 2026 Asian Games, held from September 16th to October 3rd in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. Thailand is in Group C along with Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Chinese Taipei.