"The Queen" leads the Thai athlete team to win gold at the 2025 SEA Games despite one day remaining in the sailing competition.
On 17 December 2025 at 09:58, Her Majesty the Queen traveled to the Ocean Marina Pattaya Hotel in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, to receive a daily briefing on the sailing competition and to participate in the third day of sailing events, racing in the sixth and seventh races of the SSL 47 keelboat category at the 33rd SEA Games held from 15–18 December at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Sattahip, Chonburi.
Today marked the third day of point-scoring races for the SSL47 keelboat sailing event. Her Majesty the Queen led the sailing team aboard SSL47 boat number 6 to compete in two races in the Gulf of Thailand—the sixth and seventh races—alongside athletes from four other competing nations: Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar. With a determined expression, she aimed to bring home the first gold medal in the keelboat category, a sport newly included in the 33rd SEA Games, for all Thai people.
Today, Her Majesty the Queen also held a crucial role on the boat as strategist and navigator—positions of great importance. She planned the team’s tactics to align with the sea’s wind and wave conditions, knowing that accurately calculating wind direction would give them the advantage to swiftly lead the boat to the finish line.
Amid changing sea waves and unpredictable wind currents—challenges faced by every sailor—Her Majesty the Queen performed excellently on board. She used a compass to observe and analyze advantages and disadvantages, planning the wind direction to steer the boat optimally. She also assisted all team members in various tasks, vigorously hanging on to the boat to maintain balance—demonstrating advanced skills including strength, precision, and teamwork. Because the SSL boat lacks safety ropes like the TP52, every second of hanging on involved considerable risk.
It is indeed fortunate for all Thai people that Her Majesty the Queen possesses a strong determination and sporting talent, well recognized in athletics and physical fitness. She serves as an inspiration and role model for athletes, with a full-hearted athletic spirit, and promotes public interest in health and wellness.
On the third day of point-scoring races, in race six, the Thai national team finished second, just 17 seconds behind Malaysia. However, after adjusting their strategy, the Thai team won race seven by finishing first.
This led the Thai sailing team to decisively outperform the other four competing nations, scoring only 10 penalty points across seven of eight races, far ahead of second-place Malaysia with 17 points and third-place Myanmar with 21 points.
Thus, the Thai national team unofficially secured the first gold medal in SEA Games history for the keelboat SSL 47 sailing category—a sport newly introduced at the 33rd SEA Games—in a proud achievement.
On 18 December at 17:00, His Majesty the King will personally attend the medal ceremony for the SSL 47 sailing competition at the 33rd SEA Games (33rd SEA GAMES Thailand 2025) at Ocean Marina Yacht Club Pattaya, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, to encourage and honor all athletes.
Tomorrow, the public can join in cheering and supporting the Thai national sailing team in the eighth and final race of the 33rd SEA Games, which will be broadcast live on the Star Sailors League YouTube channel.
