The Sailing Association of Thailand plans advance training and aims to win 3-4 medals, expecting one gold at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.
On 3 Sep 2026, Admiral Chayut Navesphutthikorn, Vice President of the Sailing Association of Thailand, revealed preparations for the national sailing team ahead of the 20th Asian Games from 19 Sep to 4 Oct 2026 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The association is sending 12 athletes competing in 8 events: 4 single boats (4 athletes) and 4 double boats (8 athletes). The sailing events are scheduled from 26 Sep to 3 Oct 2026.
“The sailing team has been training since March and has competed continuously. All athletes and coaches are preparing to travel for advance training at Kaiyo Yacht Harbor on 9 Sep 2026 to adapt as much as possible to the weather, currents, and wind conditions of the actual competition venue,” he said.
The Vice President expressed gratitude to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s National Sports Development Fund for supporting the transportation of equipment, which has now been completed. He also thanked PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTT EP) for providing funding to support the advance training.
“Recently, the athletes competed in the Sailing World Championships in Hiroshima, Japan, in August 2026, featuring 26 nations and 74 boats. Currently, the Thai team ranks among the top three in Asia,” he added.
Admiral Chayut also noted that at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Thai sailing won two gold medals in the ILCA 4 category by male athlete Mom Luang Vekha Phanuphan and female athlete Noppatsorn Khunbunjan. At that time, the athletes were juniors, but they have now aged out of that category.
“However, based on comparisons of statistics and rankings among Asian athletes, this Thai sailing team is expected to win 3-4 medals. Whether they can match the two gold medals from last time depends on intensive training at the competition venue, athletes’ skills and strength, and weather conditions on race days. Overall, they have a good chance of winning at least one gold medal,” said Admiral Chayut Navesphutthikorn.