The Sports Authority of Thailand has set targets one month before the Thai team competes at the 20th Asian Games 2026 in Japan, aiming for a top 6 finish and to remain the No.1 ASEAN nation. .
On 15 Aug 2026, Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, confirmed the Thai team's goals one month before participating in the 20th Asian Games in Japan. He is confident Thailand will place in the top 6 and rank first among ASEAN nations. He believes competing against Asian powerhouses like China, Japan, and South Korea—many of whom are world-class—will be a good test of the athletes' potential before progressing toward the 2028 Olympic Games.
Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), revealed updates on the Thai national athletes preparing for the 20th Asian Games from 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. SAT, in collaboration with the National Sports Development Fund, the Olympic Committee of Thailand, and national sports associations, is preparing the athletes to be as ready as possible. Crucially, budget disbursements have been systematically managed according to plan for both the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games to ensure uninterrupted team preparation.
Regarding the medal target at the 20th Asian Games, now about one month away, Dr. Kongsak confirmed a goal of 15 gold medals. He believes the Thai athletes will achieve this, as sports associations have had continuous time to prepare since the 33rd SEA Games late last year, alongside intensive use of sports science, nutrition, and psychology. This gives confidence Thailand can finish in the top 6 overall on the medal table and remain No.1 among ASEAN countries.
"Our goal to be among the top 6 at the Asian Games is achievable, but we acknowledge it will not be easy because other nations have also developed their athletes. The host, Japan, will field their top athletes aiming to challenge China. Additionally, South Korea has many world-class athletes, and other strong countries include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, and Taiwan. This Asian Games will be a platform to prove the level of Thai athletes, as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States," said Dr. Kongsak.
At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the Thai athletes ranked 8th, winning 12 gold, 14 silver, and 32 bronze medals, and maintained the top spot among ASEAN nations. China, as host, secured the gold medal leader position for the 11th consecutive time and set a record with the most Asian Games gold medals at 201, along with 111 silver and 71 bronze. Japan followed in second place with 52 gold, 67 silver, and 69 bronze medals, while South Korea placed third with 42 gold, 59 silver, and 89 bronze medals.