The Nakpan siblings did not disappoint Thai fans as Putthapoom claimed gold and Phumjaithai took silver at the 2026 Asian BMX Championships. Meanwhile, Pornpak and Natchanon were named outstanding mountain biking athletes.
The Nakpan siblings impressed Thai fans with outstanding performances at the 2026 Asian BMX Racing Championships in Malaysia. Putthapoom led from start to finish to win the men's under-23 gold medal, while Phumjaithai secured silver in the junior men's category. Meanwhile, Kometh was edged out by a Filipino rider, finishing fifth. At the final round of the Thai Mountain Bike Championships cross-country event, Pornpak Praphothang and Natchanon Jaidee were awarded the top athlete honors for 2026.
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, said he traveled to support the Thai national team competing at the 2026 Asian BMX Championships in Nilai, Malaysia on 8 August. "Om" Mr. Putthapoom Nakpan, a national rider in the 20th Asian Games team, delivered an excellent performance by leading the race from start to finish to claim the men's under-23 title. Japanese and Chinese riders took silver and bronze respectively. Putthapoom’s younger brother, Phumjaithai Nakpan, also earned a silver medal in the junior men's category, with gold going to a Japanese rider and bronze to a South Korean.
General Decha added that another Thai national rider, "Ae" Sergeant Kometh Sukprasert, performed well in all three qualifying motos in the men's open category. However, in the final, he had a slow start and was squeezed off course by Filipino rider Patrick Bran Ku before the first turn, losing his rhythm and finishing fifth. He instructed Mr. Harvey Creps, head coach, to address these issues promptly, as the team's goal is to win medals at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Mr. Harvey Creps, head coach of the Thai national BMX team, said overall results were satisfactory. Although Kometh finished fifth, he had the best time in Moto 1, surpassing Azuma Nagai of Japan, who won gold in this event. Unfortunately, in the final, Kometh was pushed off track by a Filipino rider right after the gate start and couldn’t recover in time, missing the chance to medal. In the women's category, Sergeant Chutikarn Kitwanisathien finished sixth in the open women's race, and Ms. Hathaiphet Jaiswang placed fourth in the women's under-23. Compared to other ASEAN nations, Thailand remains competitive, though riders from Japan, South Korea, and China are stronger at the Asian level. The coach plans to refine tactics and improve performance in preparation for the Asian Games medal target.
Sergeant Kometh Sukprasert said he had a slow start in the final and was pushed off course by a Filipino rider, which cost him time and position. He intends to work on these weaknesses and train harder. Regarding his hopes for a medal at the Asian Games, he is determined to give his best for Thailand’s honor.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Thai National Road and Mountain Bike Championships, competing for the King Bhumibol Trophy and His Majesty the King’s Trophy, held their final fifth round from 7-9 August at Bhumibol Dam in Sam Ngao District, Tak Province. The cross-country mountain bike opening ceremony on 8 August at Sirichon Plaza was presided over by Mrs. Sunee Busaphan, Deputy Governor of Tak Province, alongside Mr. Wiphu Piwat, Deputy Governor of Electricity Generation at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Mr. Prasit Upachit, Director of Bhumibol Dam, Mr. Boonliem Takham, Sam Ngao District Chief, Ms. Thamolwan Charoenwongpisit, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tak Office, Captain Thitaporn Noirak, Secretary of the Cycling Association of Thailand, and other officials.
After the opening ceremony, Mrs. Sunee Busaphan, Deputy Governor of Tak Province, expressed gratitude to the Cycling Association of Thailand for hosting the final round of the national championships at Bhumibol Dam. Many athletes competed with strong determination to win the national title. Bhumibol Dam offers excellent facilities for various sports including cycling, trail running, and paragliding, making it a hub for diverse athletic events. She thanked the Sports Authority of Thailand, Tak Province, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand for supporting such activities, and invited everyone to visit Tak and experience the beauty of Bhumibol Dam — known as “The Father's Dam.” The people of Tak warmly welcome all visitors.
In the mountain bike cross-country category, notable results included the women's open race (17.6 km) where Ms. Pornpak Praphothang, a Thai national team rider for the 20th Asian Games from Chiang Khan Military District 28 team, won in 1:08:47, securing the Thai national championship with 110 points and the royal trophy. Second place went to Ms. Pinpak Chiangsuang of the Royal Thai Navy Core Cycling team at 1:09:30, and third to Ms. Kingkan Narong of Prime 19 team (who did not start).
In the women's under-23 category (17.6 km), Ms. Pornpak Praphothang of Chiang Khan Military District 28 won again with a time of 1:08:47, clinching the national championship with 114 points and the royal trophy. Second place was Ms. Pinpak Chiangsuang of the Royal Thai Navy Core Cycling team at 1:09:30.
In the men's open category (22 km), First Lieutenant Worapong Muangsuk of the Navy team won in 1:04:03, followed by Sergeant First Class Phonchat Nakthongkham of Navy CoreNutrition at 1:05:03, and Mr. Pongpira Pongayukul from the Ma Mui Nakhonsawan-Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai club at 1:07:46. The national championship title went to Sergeant First Class Phonchat Nakthongkham with a total of 104 points and the royal trophy.
In the men's under-23 category (22 km), First Lieutenant Worapong Muangsuk of the Navy team won in 1:04:03, second place was Mr. Pongpira Pongayukul from Ma Mui Nakhonsawan-Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai club at 1:07:46, and third place Mr. Kamonthacha Inthong from the Air Force cycling team at 1:20:03. The national champion was Mr. Pongpira Pongayukul with 97 points and the royal trophy.
In the junior men's category (17.6 km), Mr. Natchanon Jaidee of the Air Force cycling team and Ranong Racing (Banhan Concrete) won in 57:59 minutes, securing the Thai national championship with a perfect 120 points and the royal trophy. Second was Mr. Prin Chuwaen of Suankhwan Muang Yala team at 1:02:15, and third Mr. Kittipon Iamklai of Krabi Bike team at 1:02:54.
In the junior women's category (13.2 km), Ms. Phumrat Chalermkit, a Thai national rider preparing for the 20th Asian Games from the Fisherman Friend Wat Dong Noi team, won in 1:04:11, securing the Thai national championship with a perfect 120 points and the royal trophy. Complete results are available on the Cycling Association of Thailand website www.thaicycling.or.th.
The 2026 cross-country mountain biking outstanding athlete awards, receiving the Preeda Julalamon trophy, went to Ms. Pornpak Praphothang of Chiang Khan Military District 28 as the top female athlete, and Mr. Natchanon Jaidee of the Air Force cycling team and Ranong Racing (Banhan Concrete) as the top male athlete. The outstanding coaches, receiving the Seri Trairat trophy, were Mr. Sommat Raojai, coach of Ms. Pornpak, and Mr. Krekkiat Jaidee, father and coach of Mr. Natchanon.
On the same afternoon, a "Bike for Life - TCA GREEN CYCLING" health cycling event was held at Sirichon Plaza. This collaboration involved the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Cycling Association of Thailand, and Bhumibol Dam authorities. Mrs. Sunee Busaphan, Deputy Governor of Tak Province, presided over the ceremony. The 6-kilometer route within Bhumibol Dam attracted over 500 cyclists from various clubs in Tak Province.
The "Bike for Life - TCA GREEN CYCLING" event promotes green sports activities focusing on environmental protection, pollution reduction, and combating global warming, supporting government policies via the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The Cycling Association of Thailand also organized an exhibition on safe cycling practices, distributing blinking lights and reflective signs reading "Ride Safely, Care for Fellow Travelers" to participants for attaching beneath bicycle seats to reduce accidents. Additionally, there was an exhibition on the dangers of e-cigarettes and a "No Smoking, No Drinking" campaign encouraging Thais to abstain from tobacco and alcohol.
Simultaneously, the Cycling Association of Thailand offered a free bicycle repair clinic, allowing the public to bring old bicycles for maintenance and reuse, promoting cost savings aligned with King Rama IX's "Sufficiency Economy" philosophy. There were also contests for creatively decorated bicycles with economical designs, vintage bike competitions, and awards presented to the oldest and youngest participants, both male and female.
On Sunday, 9 August, the road race event will take place, with Mr. Boonliem Takham, Sam Ngao District Chief, officiating the opening ceremony at 07:30 at Sirichon Plaza. The race begins at 08:00, covering 62 kilometers except for the men's open category, which covers 104 kilometers. Thai PBS will broadcast live from 14:10 to 16:00. Live streams will also be available via the Thailand Cycling Association's Facebook page and TCA Channel YouTube from 08:30 onwards. Additionally, a mountain bike eliminator race will start at 09:00 within Bhumibol Dam, spanning 600 meters.