Surasak praised the Ratchasima Wittayalai School marching band “RS Band 2026” for winning four world championships in Germany and the Netherlands, successfully waving the Thai national flag, and expressed pride in Thai youth standing proudly on the global stage.
16 July 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, expressed admiration and congratulations on the historic success of the Ratchasima Wittayalai School marching band (RS Band 2026) from Nakhon Ratchasima Province, which has brought honor to Thailand by winning four first-place awards at international competitions in the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Mr. Surasak revealed that this achievement is a source of pride for all Thais. The beginning of RS Band 2026’s greatness started with winning the “His Majesty the King’s Royal Trophy” in the marching band competition’s Marching Parade category in 2026, organized by the Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Tourism and Sports. They then used their status as Thailand’s champions to step onto the international stage and claimed four awards, including:
the European Music Contest (EMC) 2026 in Germany,
and the World Music Contest (WMC) 2026 in the Netherlands, widely regarded as the “Olympics of the marching band world”,
“I sincerely commend the 81 students, the coaching staff, and the administration of Ratchasima Wittayalai School who dedicated themselves to rigorous practice and succeeded in waving the Thai flag on the global podium. This victory is not just for the school but for all Thai youth, proving to the world that when Thai children are given opportunities, they can proudly stand at the top on the world stage.”
Mr. Surasak added that behind this great success was genuine collaboration. The government’s Department of Physical Education provided initial funding of 248,900 baht under the Recreational Activities Support for the Masses project to promote youth achievements internationally. However, the trip to Europe cost over 3.6 million baht, with the remaining funds raised through the community, alumni, and benefactors who united to help make the students' dreams come true.
“The story of RS Band 2026 is a perfect model of youth development through recreational activities and music. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, through the Department of Physical Education, will continue to promote and support recreational activities for children and youth to create an ecosystem that fosters Thai youth to achieve excellence in all areas.”
(Photo from FacebookRatchasima Wittayalai School, Nakhon Ratchasima Province)