‘Maj. Gen. Muek’ is proud of the strong-hearted Thai cyclists who swept numerous awards at the Tour of Thailand.
‘Maj. Gen. Muek’ expressed pride in Thai cyclists who showed fighting spirit and brought honor to Thailand at the international long-distance cycling event, Tour of Thailand 2026 Stage 5. Tutlathon Sosalam of the Thai national team delivered an outstanding performance by winning the Intermediate Sprint point 2 (IS2) and King of the Mountains point 1 (KOM1) titles. Nattapon Jamchat earned the Intermediate Sprint point 1 (IS1), while Peerapol Chaowchiangkwang won King of the Mountains point 2 (KOM2) and was named Most Combative Rider. Meanwhile, Arthit Poulard, a Thai national team cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games, is poised to claim the Best ASEAN title at the competition.
The international long-distance cycling race, Tour of Thailand 2026, competing for the royal trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, runs from 24 March to 2 April 2026. The route covers Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces for a total distance of 1,113.70 kilometers. The opening ceremony for Stage 5 was held on 28 March at the Phaya Naga Square (Boeng Wiang Cultural Plaza) in Si Chiang Mai district, with Mr. Naruphon Phanochit, head of Nong Khai Provincial Office, presiding over the opening and the athletes’ send-off. Also attending were 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, Mr. Jaran Klangpradit, district chief of Si Chiang Mai, and other local officials.
Stage 5 began at Phaya Naga Square (Boeng Wiang Cultural Plaza), Si Chiang Mai district, passing through Sangkhom district, Ban Ngiu village, Thanthip Waterfall, Phu Huai Isan, and returning to finish in front of the Si Chiang Mai district office, covering 136.50 kilometers. The award ceremony was honored by General Decha Hemkrasri, president of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, Mr. Jaran Klangpradit, Si Chiang Mai district chief, and other local officials who presented prizes to the athletes.
The winner of Stage 5 was Alexander Salby, a Danish cyclist from China’s Li Ning Star team. Second place went to Pierre Babier of France from Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team, and third place to Jesper Rasch from the Netherlands, representing China’s China Anta-Mentec Cycling Team, all finishing with the same time of 2:52:09.
For the Intermediate Sprints, the IS1 title was claimed by Sergeant Major Nattapon Jamchat of the Thailand Continental Cycling Team, while Lieutenant Colonel Tutlathon Sosalam of the Thai national team secured IS2 and King of the Mountains point 1 (KOM1). King of the Mountains point 2 (KOM2) went to Air Force Captain Peerapol Chaowchiangkwang of the Thailand Continental Cycling Team, who also earned the Most Combative Rider award after an impressive performance.
The overall leader remains Vadim Pronski from Kazakhstan’s Terengganu Cycling Team with a total time of 15:00:29, continuing to wear the yellow jersey. Arthit Poulard retains the Best ASEAN rider title, wearing the purple jersey for the fourth consecutive day, currently ranking eighth overall with a total time of 15:01:07. The points classification leader for sprints is Alexander Salby from China’s Li Ning Star team, wearing the green jersey, and the King of the Mountains points leader is Vadim Pronski, wearing the polka-dot jersey.
In the team classification, China’s Li Ning Star leads with a total time of 45:01:58. In the ASEAN team classification, the Philippines’ Go For Gold team ranks first with 45:06:54, followed by the Thai national team in second place with 45:07:31. Complete results are available at www.tourofthailand.in.th.
After the race, General Decha said that today, Thai cyclists Sergeant Major Nattapon Jamchat, Lieutenant Colonel Tutlathon Sosalam, and Air Force Captain Peerapol Chaowchiangkwang won nearly all the stage awards. He praised their fighting spirit and the honor they brought to Thailand. The Best ASEAN rider remains Arthit Poulard from the Thai national team preparing for the 20th Asian Games. With one stage left, Arthit is expected to claim the ASEAN champion title. Although the overall leader jersey is out of reach, other awards are still attainable.
General Decha added that for the final stage on 29 March, he reminded all cyclists not to be complacent. Coach Tum Wisut Kasiyapat has already planned the strategy. After the men’s team event, the women’s team competition will take place from 31 March to 2 April. He called on all Thai people in Nong Khai province and viewers watching the live broadcasts on ThaiPBS Facebook Live and YouTube to continue supporting the Thai athletes.
Stage 6 on 29 March will start at 08:30 from the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 60th Birthday Anniversary Plaza. The opening ceremony and athlete send-off will be presided over by Mrs. Prodpran Samanmit, Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand for Professional Sports and Boxing. The route will run from the anniversary plaza through Tha Bo district, Si Chiang Mai district, Pho Tak district, Phra That Bang Phuan, Nong Song Hong intersection, finishing in front of Nong Khai Provincial Central Stadium, covering 125.50 kilometers. The stage will be broadcast live on ThaiPBS Facebook Live and YouTube from 08:30 onward.