KERKRADE, Netherlands — 13 July 2026, Thailand’s Ratchasima Wittayalai School Marching Band (RS Band 2026), representing Nakhon Ratchasima province and Thailand, has claimed the championship title in the Marching category at the World Music Contest (WMC) 2026 in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, once again bringing pride to the nation.
Competing as RS Band 2026, the students from Nakhon Ratchasima earned an outstanding 95.750 points, securing the Gold with Honours award, the Day Prize for the highest score of the day, and the Best Wind award for outstanding wind performance.
They achieved this on a stage widely regarded as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious competitions for marching bands. The victory is far more than just winning trophies; it showcases the potential of Thai youth on the world stage. Often described as the “Olympics of marching bands and wind music,” the WMC is held every four years, bringing together top-tier marching bands from across the globe to compete under some of the world’s most stringent judging standards.
Furthermore, the 2026 edition of the WMC marked a special milestone as the festival’s 75th anniversary, bringing together more than 20,000 musicians from 28 countries.
The judging panel meticulously evaluated every element of each performance, including musical quality, musicality, technical precision, as well as the synchronisation and appeal of the marching formations (Visual Performance).
RS Band’s score of 95.750 points on the world stage reflected excellence across all judging criteria, showcasing outstanding musicianship, creativity, flawless precision and exceptional execution, allowing the Thai ensemble to outperform competitors from around the world.
Behind this achievement were months of intensive rehearsals, as well as the sacrifices of every student and the dedication of instructors, parents and supporters, who collectively helped propel the ensemble to world-class standards.
The success of the Ratchasima Wittayalai School Marching Band is therefore not only a source of pride for the school, but also for the people of Nakhon Ratchasima and Thailand as a whole, as the country’s name was once again celebrated on the global stage.
The triumph demonstrates that Thai youth can compete with the very best in the world when given the opportunity, support and determination. It marks another milestone for Thailand’s marching band community and further highlights the country’s growing reputation on the international stage.