Diving coach Bai, or Bai Jian Ping, a former Chinese coach of Thailand’s national diving team, returns to the scene to help train two Thai athletes for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Thai national diving team is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games. Recently, “Coach Bai,” Bai Jian Ping, a former Chinese coach of Thailand’s national diving team, has joined to train two Thai athletes. He is helping strengthen their techniques, refine details, and enhance the perfection of each dive.
Suchart Pichi, head coach of Thailand’s national diving team, revealed that he had previously requested funding from the Thailand Aquatic Sports Association to send two athletes, Thitipoom Maksin and Chawanwat Chanthapadawan, to train in China. However, due to budget constraints, plans changed to inviting a Chinese coach to assist training within Thailand instead.
The person assisting this time is “Coach Bai,” Bai Jian Ping, who previously served as Thailand’s national diving coach. He is helping review dive details, improve techniques, and build strength for both athletes, who are among Thailand’s top competitors.
However, both athletes need to adapt considerably to Coach Bai’s training style, which is more intense and demanding than previous routines. Meanwhile, the diving department also invited Coach Bai to share knowledge and experience with the Thai youth national team at the Aquatic Sports Center, Thammasat University, Rangsit.
Regarding the possibility of hiring Coach Bai permanently, it is currently unlikely due to physical limitations that may prevent him from long-term coaching duties. However, short-term or special assignments remain possible in the future.
Bai Jian Ping stated that Thailand’s diving scene has talented athletes with potential, but lacks internationally standard training equipment. To rapidly improve, training in China, where facilities and equipment meet global standards, would greatly benefit athlete development.
Nevertheless, if Thailand acquires more standard training equipment, he has no objection to coaching in the country. At present, the limitation is equipment availability. He acknowledged that Thai athletes are capable and, with better equipment and facilities, could develop into a strong team.
Bai Jian Ping was once a Chinese youth national diver before becoming a coach. He previously coached Thailand’s national diving team, laying the foundation and developing Suchart Pichi into an athlete competing at the Asian and Olympic levels.
After parting ways with Thailand, Coach Bai took charge of Mexico’s national diving team in 2005 and led them to win an Olympic bronze medal at the 2008 Games.
His return to assist Thailand’s diving team is an important collaboration to elevate technical details and readiness of Thai athletes ahead of their major mission at the 2026 Asian Games.