BANGKOK — 3 September 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul welcomed Thailand’s women’s national volleyball team to Government House on 3 September to celebrate their 2026 Asian Championship victory and historic qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
At 10:30, Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, met the players at the Purple Room of the Thai Khu Fah Building, where the team was congratulated for winning the Asian title and securing an automatic Olympic berth.
The government, through the National Sports Development Fund, presented a total of about Baht 14.7 million in prize money. Anutin also pressed a button to transfer the rewards directly into the players’ bank accounts in real time.
The ceremony was attended by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenvakul, Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, deputy president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand Charoen Wattanasin, Sports Authority of Thailand Governor Kongsak Yodmani, Volleyball Association of Thailand president Somporn Chaibangyang, head coach Air Chief Marshal Kiattipong Ratchatakreangkrai, better known as Coach Aot, and members of the coaching staff.
The tourism and sports minister said the victory demonstrated the team’s ability, dedication and commitment to representing Thailand.
Winning the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship and automatically qualifying for the 2028 Olympics was a major achievement, he said, particularly because only 12 teams from around the world will compete in the Olympic tournament.
The success had brought pride, happiness and joy to people across Thailand, he added.
Somporn said the team’s Olympic dream had been four decades in the making, with the association developing systematic short-, medium- and long-term plans to build a strong pipeline of athletes and support personnel.
The association first set its sights on Olympic qualification in 1997, targeting the 2004 Athens Games. Although that goal was not achieved, the team continued to develop and came close to qualification several times.
“There were tears and disappointment, but we never lost confidence,” Somporn said.
The breakthrough finally came on 30 August, when the players and coaching staff combined their efforts to achieve the long-held Olympic dream.
Somporn said the association would now focus on developing successive generations of players. He also thanked the government for its Prime Minister’s Youth programme, which he said helped develop children and young athletes from grassroots level to the national stage.
Anutin said he was delighted when he learned of the team’s victory on the evening of Sunday, 30 August, saying the result immediately changed the atmosphere across Thailand.
He said the victory brought happiness to people watching in restaurants and on social media.
“Thank you. During that period, no one was criticizing the government,” Anutin said jokingly, referring to the public celebrations following the victory.
He said people had instead been united in celebrating what the players had achieved for Thailand.
Anutin also highlighted the significance of the team’s success on Chinese soil, where the Thai national anthem was played following the victory.
“As Thai people, especially when we travel abroad and hear the Thai national anthem played to welcome us, we feel proud. But this time, we were the ones who had our national anthem played on Chinese soil,” he said.
He urged the players to maintain their physical condition, avoid complacency and continue fighting as they prepare for Los Angeles 2028.
“The Olympic ticket is a great achievement. What we have to do now is be ready and not be careless,” Anutin said, adding that a fighting spirit could provide the extra strength needed to achieve further victories.
The prime minister said the government and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports were ready to support athletes through training, upskilling and reskilling programmes, as well as sports science and other forms of assistance.
He said the government wanted to raise Thailand’s sporting potential across disciplines, not just volleyball.
Anutin gave special thanks to Coach Aot and the players, saying their achievement had brought pride to the country.
He also urged the athletes to take care of their health and understand their physical limits.
“We want all of you to achieve victories for Thailand,” he said, adding that the government wanted the word “Thailand” to be spoken around the world and believed the volleyball team was helping strengthen the country’s international image.
During the ceremony, the volleyball team presented Anutin with a volleyball signed by all the players. The prime minister then joined captain Pornpun Guedpard, known as Chomphu, for a light-hearted demonstration involving setting and underhand passing.
The government later presented the team with prize money totaling approximately Baht 14.7 million. After Anutin pressed the transfer button, players using Krung Thai Bank accounts received Baht 600,000 immediately and cheered as they checked their accounts.
The prize presentation was intended to honor and thank the players, coaches and staff for their dedication and for bringing happiness to people throughout the country.
It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Thai volleyball and athletes through welfare measures, sports science and funding to further develop their capabilities.
After receiving a signed ball as a souvenir, Anutin instructed his staff to prepare a display case for the ball so it could be preserved as a memento at Government House.
The players also offered to give their championship trophy to the government for display. Anutin, however, suggested making a replica instead, saying the original trophy should remain with the Volleyball Association of Thailand as a symbol of the team’s achievement.
Before leaving, Anutin exchanged contact details with the players and asked them to send him photos and selfies taken together.