Twenty teams of cyclists from 12 countries are ready to compete in the Tour of Thailand long-distance cycling race.
Nong Khai province warmly welcomed international cyclists ahead of the men's team competition in the "Tour of Thailand 2026" long-distance cycling race, set for 24-29 March. Several teams immediately began practicing on the race routes. The opening ceremony on 24 March at 08:30 was honored by Nong Khai Governor Saransak Srikhruanet as the presiding official. The event was broadcast worldwide via Facebook Live and ThaiPBS's YouTube channel.
"Sergeant Major Muek," 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 of Thailand, together with Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces, is hosting the international long-distance cycling race "Tour of Thailand 2026." The competition, vying for the Royal Cup of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, is scheduled from 24 March to 2 April 2026, covering routes in Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces with a total distance of 1,113.70 kilometers.
General Decha stated that athletes from various countries have now arrived in Nong Khai province. The race organizing committee and Nong Khai province gave the teams a warm welcome, impressing all athletes. In the men's team category, 20 teams from 12 nations participate: Malaysia, China, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Estonia, and Thailand. They will compete in 6 stages from 24 to 29 March, covering routes in Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces, totaling 816.60 kilometers. Arrived athletes have begun training on the routes to familiarize themselves with the terrain and weather, as all teams are determined to win and claim the Royal Cup. A team managers' meeting will be held on 23 March at 15:00 at Asawan Hotel.
The opening ceremony on 24 March will begin at 08:30 at the Chalerm Phrakiat 60th Birthday Anniversary Plaza of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, in front of the old provincial hall. Nong Khai Governor Saransak Srikhruanet will preside. Before the ceremony, Nong Khai province will present a welcoming performance for the athletes. Additionally, bicycles will be donated to Nong Khai under the "Bicycles for Children" project, aiming to provide bikes to students in remote areas who walk to school. This also supports energy-saving policies amid the global oil shortage and rising prices, General Decha said.
General Decha added that around 300 cyclists from Nong Khai's cycling clubs will join the parade to escort the athletes, riding from the starting point to in front of Wat Chom Manee, covering approximately 3.5 kilometers. Stage 1 will take place entirely within Nong Khai province, passing through Mueang and Tha Bo districts, finishing in front of Nong Khai Central Stadium, covering 108.60 kilometers. The event will be broadcast globally via Facebook Live and ThaiPBS's YouTube channel. Viewers can start watching the live broadcast from 08:30 onwards. All stages, for both men's and women's teams, will be covered live.
Coach Tum, Wisut Kasiyapat, head coach of the Thai national cycling team, said that the Thai cyclists, including the professional Thailand Continental Cycling Team and the national team, are 100% ready. They have practiced on all actual race stages, especially Stage 3, which finishes at Phu Phoi Lom in Udon Thani. They aim to win the stage and the King of the Mountain award, hoping to be earned by S.T. Sarawut Sirironnachai, the 13th SEA Games gold medalist. For the overall points classification, they aim to finish at least in the top 10. He acknowledged that many competing teams are professional UCI Continental teams, but Thai cyclists will fight wholeheartedly and perform their best.
The international long-distance cycling race "Tour of Thailand 2026" is scheduled from 24 March to 2 April 2026, covering a total distance of 1,113.70 kilometers. The men's team category will compete in 6 stages from 24 to 29 March on routes in Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces, covering 816.60 kilometers. The women's team category will compete in 3 stages from 30 March to 2 April on routes in Nong Khai province, covering 297.10 kilometers.