Kritphas and Phumrat rose as Thailand champions and received the top athlete awards for 2026. The director of Bhumibol Dam expressed readiness to host again in 2027.
Kritphas Homkajorn and Phumrat Chalermkit delivered outstanding performances to win the Thailand national road cycling championships, earning the top male and female athlete awards for 2026. Meanwhile, Prasit Upachit, director of Bhumibol Dam, expressed pride that the event promoted tourism and boosted the local economy, announcing his readiness to host the national cycling championships again in 2027. The live broadcasts on Facebook Live and YouTube attracted over 20,000 viewers.
The 2026 Thailand Road Cycling Championship, competing for the King’s Bhumibol Cup, and the Mountain Bike Championship, competing for the His Majesty the King’s Cup, held their fifth and final round from 7-9 August at Bhumibol Dam, Sam Ngao District, Tak Province. The road race opening ceremony on 9 August at Sirichon Plaza was honored by Boonliam Takham, Sam Ngao District Chief, as chair, with attendees including Sunee Busapan, Deputy Governor of Tak, Prasit Upachit, Director of Bhumibol Dam, Thamlawan Charoenwongphit, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Tak Office, Natthawat Fuekfon, Director of the Sports Authority of Thailand Tak Province, and Captain Thitiporn Noirak, Secretary of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage.
Prasit Upachit, director of Bhumibol Dam, explained that the fifth race’s route included both inside and outside the dam area. The mountain bike course within Bhumibol Dam is especially challenging, requiring high skill, physical readiness, and suitable equipment. Outside the dam, cooperation from government agencies, the private sector, local administrative organizations, and Sam Ngao Police ensured smooth traffic management. Meanwhile, competitors had opportunities to enjoy Bhumibol Dam’s scenic spots, including camping sites and viewpoints along the dam crest. The dam also allowed local residents to sell food, drinks, souvenirs, and handicrafts free of charge to stimulate the community economy.
“Bhumibol Dam would like to thank Chusak Rooying, Governor of Tak, and General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand, for allowing the dam community to participate in this valuable event. We sincerely hope to be honored to host the national road and mountain bike championships again in 2027. Bhumibol Dam warmly welcomes all cyclists and tourists,” said Prasit.
Thamlawan Charoenwongphit, director of TAT Tak Office, said that TAT Tak has supported the road and mountain bike championships at Bhumibol Dam for the second consecutive year. The large number of athletes participating helps promote tourism in Tak Province, which features notable attractions like Bhumibol Dam in Sam Ngao District, Wat Phra Borom That Tak—a sacred site for people born in the Horse year—and the revered Luang Pho Than Jai. Other attractions include the Ping Riverside Antique House and the world's longest petrified wood measuring 69.7 meters at Doi Soi Malai National Park in Ban Tak District. Besides promoting tourism, the cycling event helps stimulate the local economy, with all provincial agencies involved in welcoming athletes and tourists.
The fifth race was broadcast live on Thai PBS Channel 3 for the men’s open and under-23 men’s categories. Additionally, Facebook Live on the Thailand Cycling Association page and YouTube’s TCA Channel streamed the men’s 40-49 age group, attracting over 20,000 viewers. Notable results include the men’s open category (104 km), where Arthit Polard, a national team cyclist for the 20th Asian Games from Roojai Insurance Winspace, won in 2:24:23. Second place went to Apisit Suphan of Team Gemburi (2:24:23), and third to Sarawut Sirironchai from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense (2:24:23). The national champion title went to Apisit Suphan with 154 points, earning the royal trophy.
In the women’s open category (62 km), first place was Sergeant Phetcharin Somraj, a national team cyclist for the 20th Asian Games from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense, finishing in 1:44:51. Second was Sergeant Choniporn Batriya, also from the same team, in 1:47:24, and third was Rungnapa Kusal from Team Gemburi in 1:47:27. The national champion title was awarded to Sergeant Choniporn Batriya with 170 points, receiving the royal trophy.
In the men’s under-23 category (104 km), first place went to Natthawat Mangkornwong of the Air Force Cycling Team with a time of 2:24:37. Second was Natthakorn Kaewmukda of HCCT BY Pump Lung Teng & RSU Rangsit University (2:24:42), and third was Second Lieutenant Thanaphat Sakuntra of Prime 19 (2:24:42). The national champion title was awarded to Second Lieutenant Thanaphat Sakuntra with 136 points, receiving an honorary trophy.
In the women’s under-23 category (62 km), first place and national champion was Natcha Songken from Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai with a time of 1:47:31 and 172 points, earning an honorary trophy. Second place went to Pittayaporn Saetan from the same team (1:47:48), and third to Supannika Chan from PUM BIKE HOPINN SPECIALIZED LOPBURI (1:48:06).
In the youth men’s category (62 km), first place was Patchara Sitthiphan from Team Gemburi with a time of 1:35:38. Second was Kritphas Homkajorn from PUM BIKE HOPINN SPECIALIZED LOPBURI (1:35:38), and third was Surasit Suetrong from Team Bike Net (1:35:39). The national champion title was awarded to Kritphas Homkajorn with 168 points, earning the royal trophy.
In the youth women’s category (62 km), first place and national champion was Phumrat Chalermkit, a Thai national team cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games from Fisherman Friend Wat Dong Noi, finishing in 2:06:33 with 178 points, earning the royal trophy. Second place went to Yadawadee Chuaykham from Municipal School 1 (Ban Tha Thapao), Chumphon CHAOYANG OKO (2:06:41), and third to Thitirath Yongyangyuen from Lertsawin New Era Environmentally Conscious Construction Materials Team (2:06:41).
The 2026 Road Cycling Athlete of the Year awards, receiving the Preeda Julalamon trophy, were announced. The top male athlete was Kritphas Homkajorn, a youth national team member from PUM BIKE HOPINN SPECIALIZED LOPBURI. The top female athlete was Phumrat Chalermkit, preparing for the 20th Asian Games from Fisherman Friend Wat Dong Noi. The best coaches, awarded the Seri Trirat trophy, were Suriyan Saengboon for Kritphas Homkajorn and Payungsak Chalermkit, grandfather and coach of Phumrat Chalermkit.
On the same day, the mountain bike cross-country eliminator race was held within Bhumibol Dam. Notable results include the men’s open category, where Sergeant Poonsiri Sirimongkol, a national team cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense, won the national championship with 110 points, earning the royal trophy. Second place went to Warrant Officer Wacharakorn Onthuree of the Navy Trinx Chaoyang Arisun OKO / Singburi team, and third to Pongsapira Pongayukul of Club Mamuay Nakhonsawan–Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai.
In the women’s open mountain bike category, first place and national champion was Pornpak Protang, a national team cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games from Chiang Khan MTB 28th Military Circle team, with a perfect score of 120 points, earning the royal trophy. Full results are available on the Cycling Association of Thailand’s website at www.thaicycling.or.th.
The next event organized by the Cycling Association of Thailand will be the third round of the 2026 Thailand Open Road and Mountain Bike Championship at Khao Kha Yai, Chai Nat Province, on 15-16 August. Interested participants can register on the association’s website www.thaicycling.or.th until 13 August at 12:00 noon or register in person at the BMX race command center at Khao Kha Yai on Friday, 14 August, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Further details are available on the Cycling Association’s Facebook page or by calling 0-2719-3340-2 during official hours.