The Thai women's volleyball team, 2026 Asian champions, are in top form after early training in Japan, preparing for the 20th Asian Games "Aichi-Nagoya 2026." Their opening match is on 16 September 2026 against Mongolia at 14:00 Thai time. Somporn Chaibangyang, president of the association, hopes the women's team will bring home the gold medal to Thai sports fans.
Somporn Chaibangyang, president of the Volleyball Association of Thailand, revealed the readiness of the Thai women's national volleyball team for the 20th Asian Games "Aichi-Nagoya 2026," held from 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Under the leadership of head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, known as "Coach Ott," the team has been training in Japan since 4 September 2026. Everyone is physically and mentally prepared, determined to compete again as the reigning Asian champions.
The Volleyball Association president added that the team's training camp in Saga city is beneficial, as the athletes have adapted to the Japanese environment and practiced with top Japanese league clubs. This has enhanced the Thai women's team's abilities and fostered good relationships.
"Expectations from the public are certainly high for this Asian Games, but I am confident all athletes will maintain their standards. Everyone wants to fulfill their dreams, just as they qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The Thai volleyball team has never won gold at the Asian Games, so I have motivated the players that we must win and claim the championship," Somporn said.
In the women's volleyball event at the 20th Asian Games from 16 to 22 September 2026, 14 teams will compete. The first round is divided into four groups: Group A includes Japan, Indonesia, and Nepal; Group B has China, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines; Group C comprises Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia; and Group D features Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Qatar.
The Thai women's volleyball team will open their campaign on 16 September 2026 against Mongolia at 14:00 Thai time, followed by matches against Kyrgyzstan on 17 September at 17:00, and Chinese Taipei on 18 September at 17:00. All three matches will be broadcast live on PPTV HD 36.
The Thailand women's national volleyball team previously won a silver medal once, at the 18th Asian Games in 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where they lost 0-3 to China in the final. They also secured two bronze medals: at the 17th Asian Games in 2014 in Incheon, South Korea, defeating Japan 3-0 for third place, and at the 19th Asian Games in 2022 (held in 2023) in Hangzhou, China, beating Vietnam 3-0 for third place.