The Malaysian chief umpire praised the international mountain bike course at Thong Pha Phum as the finest in Asia, describing it as excellent.
On 13 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Betis Lajaya, the Malaysian chief umpire, gave high praise to the "2026 Thailand MTB Cup" international cross-country mountain bike race held at Vajiralongkorn Dam, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, calling it the most perfect course in Asia. He noted that athletes must use both strength and technique to compete. The event attracted 28 teams from 12 countries competing, with live broadcasts via the Thailand Cycling Association Facebook page and the TCA Channel on YouTube.
Lieutenant General Decha Hemkrasri, Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), President of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, revealed that the Cycling Association, together with Tha Khanun Municipality and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), organized the "2026 Thailand MTB Cup" on 14 January. Additionally, there will be road cycling and mountain biking races for the Thailand National Championships, competing for the King's Bhumibol Royal Trophy and the King's Royal Trophy respectively, from 16-18 January at Vajiralongkorn Dam, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province.
Lieutenant General Decha stated that the "2026 Thailand MTB Cup" is registered with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as an international C1 category event for world ranking points. The competition is divided into six categories: men's and women's open, under-23 men and women, and junior men and women. Twenty-eight teams from 12 countries participate, including Kazakhstan, Singapore, Japan, Canada, the United States, the Philippines, Israel, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, the Thai national team, and three Thai club teams. Meanwhile, Betis Lajaya, the Malaysian international umpire appointed by UCI as chief umpire, inspected the race route alongside six elite-level Thai national umpires to ensure compliance with UCI safety and regulatory standards.
Betis Lajaya, the Malaysian international umpire, stated that the "2026 Thailand MTB Cup" course is perfect. Having officiated in Thailand multiple times, she said this course is the best as it meets all requirements for mountain bike racing. Riders must use both power and technique. Most mountain bike courses in Asia tend to emphasize either power or technique excessively, but this course balances both appropriately. Personally, she highly appreciates the course design.
Betis added that preparations in management, athlete care, transportation, and ensuring a safe race route were well organized ahead of the event. Thai umpires have also improved their standards, with well-prepared documentation and good coordination. She expects no problems, as each umpire has sufficient experience to officiate at an international level.
The schedule for the "2026 Thailand MTB Cup" at Vajiralongkorn Dam is as follows: On 14 January at 09:00, the finals for women's open, under-23 women, and junior women categories take place. At 11:00, the finals for under-23 men and junior men categories occur. At 13:30, the men's open final is held. Live broadcasts will be available on the Thailand Cycling Association Facebook page and the TCA Channel YouTube from 09:00-10:30 and 13:30-15:00.
Lieutenant General Decha also said that the road and mountain bike races for the Thailand National Championships with royal trophies, first round of 2026, have been registered with UCI as a CN category national championship event for both time trial and road race. The event will also serve as a selection race for Thai national team representatives to compete in the 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Saudi Arabia from 5-11 February.
Those interested in registering for the road and mountain bike races of the Thailand National Championships, first round 2026, can register in person on Thursday, 15 January, from 09:00 to 17:00 at the command center near the helicopter parking area at Vajiralongkorn Dam. Further details are available on the Thailand Cycling Association Facebook page or by calling 0-2719-3340-2 during office hours.