Thailand's only sports poll, KBU SPORT POLL.
Conducted by the Center for Human Capital Development Innovation at Kasem Bundit University (CIHCD KBU), led by Director Rattapong Boonyanuwat.
In collaboration with the Sports Management Institute for Sports Organizations (WISDOM) and the Facebook page Be Bangpakong.
They surveyed local sports fans to welcome the Year of the Horse 2026 with the topic “The best of Thai sports in 2025.”
This followed athletes, sports associations, and administrators uniting to produce achievements and bring honor to the nation in many dimensions.
The poll results showed that the Athletics Association of Thailand was voted the sports association with the most outstanding performance.
Especially at the 2025 SEA Games, where the Thai athletics team again rose to number one, dominating the gold medals impressively.
They won a total of 13 gold, 11 silver, and 4 bronze medals, meeting the goals set by the association and team before the competition began.
Meanwhile, “Thep Bew” Phuriphon Boonsorn, an exceptional 19-year-old Thai sprinter, was voted the male athlete with the most outstanding performance.
He made a world athletics sensation by running the 100-meter heat in 9.94 seconds at the 33rd SEA Games.
Besides breaking the competition record, Bew also became the first ASEAN sprinter to run under 10 seconds.
For the female athlete with the most outstanding performance, the poll awarded “Pro Jeen” or “Pro Jeeno” Atthaya Thitikul, a Thai female professional golfer.
Last year, she won the most championships, capturing three titles.
She also swept two major year-end awards: LPGA Tour Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average in the season.
Her 68.68 scoring average is the lowest in tour history.
This surpassed the previous record of 68.70 set by Swedish golf legend Annika Sorenstam in 2002.
Moreover, Atthaya reaffirmed her unrivaled greatness in 2025 by reclaiming the world number one ranking from 4 August 2025 to present.
However, the poll result I regard as truly the pinnacle in Thai sports last year.
I would like to highlight “Khun Ying Pattama Leeswadtrakul,” Thailand’s sole female IOC member with iron will.
She is also president of the Badminton World Federation, which has over 200 member nations—one of the few global sports federations led by a woman.
She was overwhelmingly voted the most outstanding sports executive, receiving 91.20 percent of the votes.
Khun Ying Pattama has an impeccable social image, working tirelessly in sports at all times.
She was honored by the Sports Journalists and Photographers Association of Thailand in 2025 as a true "Global Sports Ambassador."
She dedicates both body and spirit without rest.
Much of her time is spent on airplanes traveling across Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa for various meetings.
She constantly fosters relationships between international sports federations and Thai sports associations.
Any issues are resolved at global and national levels; she is accessible to all sports federations, who all cherish Khun Ying Pattama.
If anyone needs assistance coordinating with key figures worldwide, she arranges it immediately.
This brings great efficiency to the work of Thailand's sports organizations.
Sports are inherently a universal language, reinforced by her knowledge, personality, and Thai-style smile.
This makes Khun Ying Pattama, Thailand’s strong female IOC member, stand out and be widely respected—not just as an individual.
But also for the name “Thailand,” which she carries across the globe.
In badminton, Khun Ying Pattama greets athletes with a wai gesture, especially during medal ceremonies.
Now, badminton players worldwide return the wai in rows.
This image of Thai culture being shared with the world is a priceless form of soft power.
These connections prove that Khun Ying Pattama fully supports Thai sports on the global stage and facilitates it.
At the same time, her international work continues to be well recognized worldwide.
Therefore, Khun Ying Pattama Leeswadtrakul is a valuable figure, full of positive creative energy for sports.
She contributes to culture and efficiently supports all sectors she works with.
I thus declare Khun Ying Pattama “number one” in achievements for 2025 and past years.
She will surely continue to bring great benefits to Thai sports for a very long time!!!
- Be Bangpakong -