They have taken off! 29 members of the Thai national youth Muay Thai team head to Greece to compete in the 'IFMA Youth World Championships 2026'.
In the early hours of 5 November, the Thai national youth Muay Thai team, under the Muay Thai Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, departed from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Greece via Emirates Airlines flight EK 371. They are preparing to participate in the 2026 IFMA Youth World Championships in Olympia, Greece, from 6-16 November 2026. The delegation is led by Mr. Chatthai Leng-yee as head, Mr. Siam Suwanrat as deputy head, and Major General Nirin Punnotok as team manager.
This group of Thai national youth Muay Thai athletes was selected through the 2026 Thailand Youth Muay Thai Championships held in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province from 16-20 October.
The delegation to Greece includes officials, coaching staff, and athletes led by Mr. Chatthai Leng-yee (head), Mr. Siam Suwanrat (deputy head), Major General Nirin Punnotok (team manager), Ms. Supanida Aditha (assistant team manager), Air Force Captain Boonsong Nuanyong (head coach), Second Lieutenant Theerawat Yiyuim (assistant head coach), Mr. Chatthai Chanthahan (coach), Mr. Patavee Phansawat (coach), Mr. Mongkol Laosungnoen (coach), Mr. Prettawat Somthaisong (coach), Ms. Tharnthip Chimpalee (coach), and Ms. Kesinee Thaptsai (coach).
The 29 athletes are as follows: Under-14 boys – Wanchana Onphetkhong (36 kg), Kantkawi Daengsupha (38 kg), Theeraphat Phummuang (40 kg), Krisanaphat Khomkham (44 kg); Under-16 boys – Thanakorn Meengern (42 kg), Kittiyos Saensri (45 kg), Twit Sriwiset (48 kg), Katankit Pedthong (51 kg); Under-18 boys – Monthon Juanrung (45 kg), Thanarat Buamat (48 kg), Anucha Phairo (51 kg), Suwatch Kongsawat (54 kg), Pannatat Lakphitak (57 kg).
Under-14 girls – Prachyaporn Nakphan (36 kg), Wanida Sahatsanon (38 kg), Pandita Phetkhum (40 kg), Kanokporn Chanunan (48 kg), Pattharida Piakaew (50 kg); Under-16 girls – Sudarat Amornjanyapan (45 kg), Panrat Yusengiam (48 kg), Punyisa Pinjaroen (51 kg); Under-18 girls – Natthida Kanburi (45 kg), Kwanchanok Anoma (48 kg).
Wai Khru category: Boys – Under-14 Pakin Chuenchoo, Under-16 Kiattikan Praneetpolkrang, Under-18 Phetchat Praneetpolkrang; Girls – Under-14 Bawornrat Sapsombat, Under-16 Napa Chaisorn Phatrasathianchai, Under-18 Warinrampai Wonmanee.
Before departure, Major General Nirin Punnotok, team manager, revealed that the Thai team was rigorously selected nationwide through the 'Thailand Youth Championships 2026' in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Having trained for some time, they are ready to compete. Beyond aiming for excellence, the team also intends to promote Muay Thai globally, as it attracts significant international interest. They expressed deep gratitude for the royal patronage allowing officials and athletes to receive royal advice and encouragement from His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, which greatly inspires the Thai youth Muay Thai team.
Air Force Captain Boonsong Nuanyong, head coach, said some fighters are new to the national team, but fortunately, they have considerable skill and experience from national competitions. After training, they are ready to compete. The team has set a goal of winning 4-5 gold medals, which is considered achievable. Their main concern and instruction to athletes is managing weight carefully amid Greece's cold weather, emphasizing discipline in diet to avoid difficulties. He asked Thai people to send support and encouragement to help the team bring home medals.
Meanwhile, "Nong Party" Pandita Phetkhum, a 14-year-old female Muay Thai fighter in the 40 kg category and niece of Olympic hero Worapot Phetkhum, said this is her second time on the Thai national team. Last year, she won gold when Thailand hosted the event, so this trip is to defend her title. She has trained well and is confident about retaining her championship. She said, "We will fight with all our might and ask Thai people to cheer for us."
Additionally, Major General Patchara Rattakul, chairman of the Muay Thai Association's Sports Promotion Working Group under Royal Patronage, stated that since taking this role, they have set a three-year strategic plan (2026-2028) to reshape the organization, engage young people, and build a youth foundation aiming for the 2032 Summer Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. The first task was organizing the 2026 Thailand Youth Muay Thai Championships to select promising young fighters nationwide as representatives for the 2026 IFMA Youth World Championships in Olympia, Greece, from 6-16 November 2026. They secured 29 athletes for both Muay Thai fighting and Wai Khru categories. The team departed on the night of 5 November 2026. He hopes that beyond competing for excellence at the international youth level, this competition will enhance the athletes' skills, instill discipline, responsibility, respect for rules and opponents, and sportsmanship. At the same time, it helps preserve, continue, and promote Muay Thai, a valuable cultural heritage of Thailand, ensuring it endures with new generations and develops sustainably on the international stage. He encouraged Thai fans to support the national youth Muay Thai team to perform at their best and achieve success.