May Ratchanok, Thailand's female badminton player, was nicknamed “Fiery Aunt May” as part of the 10 famous sports personalities of 2025.
On 30 Dec 2025, the Sports Journalists and Photographers Association of Thailand followed its tradition of annually assigning nicknames to sports figures. The purpose is to tease and joke with sports personalities, who are close colleagues of sports media, working together throughout the year. The nicknames are meant in good spirit, not to insult or criticize.
The year 2025, the Year of the Small Snake, is passing, and 2026, the Year of the Horse, is arriving vigorously. In 2025, there were many sports activities, notably the 33rd SEA Games hosted by Thailand at the year's end. This tournament inspired many sports nicknames, but the Sports Journalists and Photographers Association selected ten notable ones agreed upon by the sports community. We begin with
1. Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).
Nickname: “Drama Resolver.”
Dr. Kongsak led through constant drama as Thailand hosted the 33rd SEA Games after 18 years. He faced numerous challenges, including budget limits, government transitions, unprepared venues, changes in opening and closing ceremony designers, and criticism over allowances and event organization. He patiently and candidly addressed every issue, earning the nickname "Drama Resolver" because he never avoided problems but stood firm to solve them. Despite heavy initial criticism, this SEA Games became the most successful in history, with Thailand winning 233 gold medals—the highest ever. This victory proved the leader’s determination to "resolve" every crisis so Thai sports could advance proudly.
2. The Football Association of Thailand.
Nickname: “The Burdened Association.”
Under the leadership of "Madam Pang" Nualphan Lamsam, the Football Association faced a difficult year in 2025. It was a year full of drama, including taking on 360 million baht in copyright debt causing financial crisis, and coaching issues aimed at improving Thai football’s direction until English coach Anthony Hudson was appointed to restore fan confidence.
At year’s end, the association hoped to redeem itself with SEA Games results, targeting four gold medals. However, it achieved only two silver medals in men’s football and futsal, and two bronze medals in women’s football and futsal. The SEA Games ended without any gold medals, falling short of the four-gold target.
Though on-field results were disappointing, “Madam Pang” deserves praise for addressing all problems, including inheriting debts she did not create and tackling Thai League copyright issues. She also worked to improve on-field performance, tried to create happiness nationwide by providing better training venues and pausing the Thai League, and prepared bonuses to motivate players. However, some clubs opposed these moves due to the professional league system. Despite not meeting goals this year, we hope that in the "new sky of next year," “Madam Pang” will lead Thai football to greater heights.
3. “Mini” Chankao Udomphen, a 10-year-old girl.
Nickname: “Talented Beyond Her Years.”
“Mini” Chankao Udomphen, a young skateboarder from Udon Thani, impressed audiences with outstanding skills at only 10 years old. She thrilled live spectators and TV viewers in the extreme sports street skateboarding event at the 33rd SEA Games, becoming Thailand’s youngest SEA Games gold medalist, breaking the previous record held by gymnastics legend Teerach Phoopanit who won gold at 13.
“Mini” was considered an underdog because many expected "Nong ST" Wareerya Sukkesom, a national team senior and her idol who made history as the first Thai skateboarder to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, to win gold. Instead, “Mini” proved to be “talented beyond her years.” She said she did not expect to win gold but aimed to perform her best. Her surprise victory earned her the nickname “Talented Beyond Her Years.” Her next goal is the Olympic Games.
4. “May” Ratchanok Intanon, 30-year-old national badminton player.
Nickname: “Fiery Aunt May.”
“May” Ratchanok Intanon made history by winning her first-ever women’s singles gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games hosted by Thailand, defeating junior Supanida Katethong 2-0 sets decisively. Previously, she had only silver in 2009 at age 14 and bronze in 2011. This victory marked a grand finale at 30 years old before retiring from SEA Games. Fans gave her the nickname “Fiery Aunt May” for her outstanding performance, solid experience, and strength befitting a former world champion and world No. 1. She also helped Thailand’s women’s team win gold, ending with two golds in her last SEA Games. This success reaffirms that “May Ratchanok” remains a badminton idol in Thailand, strong even as she enters her “aunt” years!
5. Mon Thong Wittaya School, 7HD football runner-up that went viral across Thailand.
Nickname: Dream-Carrying Team Shaking Thailand.
Mon Thong Wittaya School football team from Bang Nam Priao district, Chachoengsao province, a small school with limited resources, became a legendary underdog in Thai football in 2025. They defeated major teams like Debsirin and Assumption Sriracha in the 7HD Champion Cup (7-Color Football). They reached the final against Chai Nat Provincial School, creating a phenomenon at Suphachalasai Stadium with overflowing crowds. Their live TikTok stream on Channel 7HD reached over 1.6 million views, setting a record in sports. Though they finished as runners-up, they won the hearts of the nation. Coached by experienced Sakon Kliangprasert, who emphasized discipline and fighting spirit, they traveled in the “Dream Carrier” bus, inspiring Thai youth enormously.
6. “Bew” Puripol Boonsorn, Thai national sprinter.
Nickname: “Speedster Bew 9 Seconds.”
One of Thailand’s sensational athletes at the 33rd SEA Games was 19-year-old sprinter “Bew” Puripol Boonsorn. In the men’s 100m heats, he shocked the athletics world by running 9.94 seconds, breaking the competition record. He became the first ASEAN sprinter to break the 10-second barrier. The World Athletics Federation later ratified this record, ranking him as Asia’s third-fastest sprinter after China’s Su Bingtian (9.83s) and Qatar’s Femi Ogunode (9.91s). Bew won gold in the 100m, plus two more gold medals in the 200m—breaking the SEA Games record—and the men’s 4x100m relay.
7. “Pro Gino” Atthaya Thitikul.
Nickname: “Unmatched Swing.”
2025 was another golden year for “Pro Gino” Atthaya Thitikul, especially defending her title at the year-end CME Group Tour Championship with a $4 million prize. She won three titles this year, the most in her career. Additionally, she received two major year-end awards: LPGA Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average. Her average score of 68.68 per round set a new tour record, surpassing Swedish legend Annika Sorenstam’s 68.70 from 2002. This cemented her dominance in 2025. Pro Gino also reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking from 4 August onward.
8. Amateur Muay Thai Association.
Nickname: “Locked to Help Friends.”
Muay Thai was a highlight at the SEA Games and is Thailand’s original martial art. Although the Amateur Muay Thai Association exceeded its goal with 11 gold, 6 silver, and 1 bronze medals—surpassing the target of 10 golds—controversy arose over medal distribution to other countries and match-fixing allegations. This became a major issue after fighters Mongkutphet Phetpraowfa and Arisara Noonied spoke out. The matter was taken to Associate Professor Pimol Srivikrom, President of the Thai Olympic Committee, demanding justice. The Olympic Committee then urgently summoned the Amateur Muay Thai Association to clarify and resolve the issues, particularly concerning foreign interference and control that disadvantaged Thai promoters and fighters.
9. Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai.
Nickname: “World-Shocking Left Star!”
Tawanchai, nicknamed “Left Star,” is one of Thailand’s top Muay Thai fighters, earning over 10 million baht per fight in the ONE Lumpinee event. His aggressive style draws roaring crowds. However, 2025 was his toughest year. Early in the year, on 23 March in Japan, he was knocked out in round three by Japanese fighter Masaaki Noiri, missing the interim kickboxing world title. Later, on 19 December, fans were shocked again when Tawanchai lost by TKO to Liu Mengyang, who knocked him down with a leg kick in the first round. Tawanchai now faces a long recovery and uncertainty if he can return to his fierce fighting style.
10. Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.
Nickname: “Global Sports Ambassador.”
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC member and President of the Badminton World Federation with over 200 member countries, continues to work tirelessly in sports. This year, she devoted much time traveling by plane across Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa attending meetings and strengthening ties between international sports federations and Thai sports associations. She addresses issues at all levels, global and national, earning love and respect from all sports federations. Whenever they need to coordinate with key global figures, she ensures smooth collaboration, enhancing the efficiency of Thai sports organizations.
Sports is a universal language, and with her expertise, personality, and Thai-style warm smile, Khunying Patama stands out as Thailand’s strong female IOC member, gaining recognition not just personally but also boosting the "Thailand" brand worldwide. In badminton, she is known for greeting athletes with a traditional Thai wai, especially during medal ceremonies, inspiring badminton players globally to return the gesture. This promotes Thai culture and goodwill internationally.
She consistently fosters relationships between international sports federations and Thailand’s sports associations, resolving any issues at global or national levels promptly. All sports federations admire Khunying Patama and rely on her to coordinate with key global figures instantly, facilitating smooth operations for Thailand’s sports bodies.