With Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana winning a gold medal in sailing and golfer Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul reaching the World Number One ranking on the women’s professional tour, Thailand made its mark in sports in 2025, while also dominating the medal table at the Southeast Asian Games.

“Across golf, athletics, taekwondo, volleyball, badminton, and even motorsport ambitions, 2025 delivered milestones that underscored Thailand’s growing presence on the global stage,” wrote the Sports Section of the Bangkok Post.

For decades, Thailand was best known for producing world champion boxers in lighter weight divisions, but had limited success across other major international sports. That perception has been changing in recent years, as the Kingdom’s prowess on the fields of play has steadily expanded into a wider range of disciplines.

Nowhere has that progress been more evident than on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul became the second Thai golfer to achieve the World Number One ranking, following Ariya Jutanugarn, who first reached that pinnacle in 2017. The LPGA also named Jeeno its Player of the Year for 2025.

Other Thai women golfers have consistently ranked in the world’s top ten and claimed tournament victories against elite global competition. Among them is Patty Tavatanakit, who won the 2021 ANA Inspiration, one of women’s golf’s major championships. In October 2021, she was named LPGA Rookie of the Year.

At the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games—a qualifying pathway to the Asian Games and the Olympic Games—Thailand reasserted its regional sporting dominance by topping the medal table with a record 223 gold medals, after having been challenged and displaced by Indonesia in some recent editions.

“The 12-day event produced unforgettable performances, none more so than sprint sensation Puripol Boonson. The 19-year-old became the first Southeast Asian athlete to break the 10-second barrier, clocking 9.94 seconds in the 100-meter heats. He went on to win the final in 10 seconds flat before completing a golden treble with victories in the 200 meters and the 4x100-meter relay,” the Bangkok Post wrote.

Thai Taekwondo also found a new star in Banlung Tubtimdang, who won his first World Championship in October in the 68-kilogram division, before adding a gold medal at the SEA Games.

Thailand’s Men’s Volleyball Team also claimed gold, edging out Vietnam, which had defeated Thailand in previous regional competitions.

In Badminton, however, the Thai team delivered its most impressive showing. Ratchanok Intanon, a trailblazer for Thai badminton, secured her first SEA Games gold medal in her farewell appearance at the biennial event, alongside two World Tour titles.

Mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran were named Mixed Doubles Pair of the Year after winning five World Tour titles in their first full season together.

Adding a distinctly royal dimension to Thailand’s sporting success was Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, who served as strategist and navigator to guide the Thai sailing team to gold in the Mixed Keelboat SSL47 event, which made its debut at the Games.

“The Queen’s leadership extended beyond competition, as she led the Thai delegation at the opening ceremony on December 9,” the Bangkok Post reported.

Her Majesty has also recently completed a half-marathon in Bangkok, running alongside legendary Ethiopian marathoner Eliud Kipchoge. She is also an avid supporter of Ice Hockey—a rarity in tropical Thailand—having joined the National Team earlier this year in a friendly match against China.

In addition, Her Majesty is a qualified Aviator and continues to inspire Thai athletes and young people alike through her active participation in and steadfast support for the Kingdom’s sporting community.