Villagers of Ban Nong Chad, Sawang Daen Din District, Sakon Nakhon Province, united to organize a parade welcoming Boonyarit Wongthorn, the setter of the Thai national men's volleyball team and hero of the 2025 SEA Games gold medal.
On 23 December 2025, villagers in Ban Nong Chad, Sawang Daen Din District, Sakon Nakhon Province, came together to hold a grand parade welcoming Boonyarit Wongthorn, a key setter of the Thai men's national volleyball team, who played a significant role in leading the team to a magnificent gold medal win at the 2025 SEA Games.
At the 33rd SEA Games in 2025, hosted by Thailand, the Thai men's volleyball team, coached by South Korean coach Park Ki-won, performed excellently with continuous victories, impressing sports fans across the country.
The path to this gold medal was not easy. In the previous three SEA Games in 2019, 2021, and 2023, the Thai team had been stopped at the semifinals. However, this time, the team broke the curse by defeating the Philippines decisively in the semifinals with a straight 3-0 set victory, advancing confidently to the final.
The final challenge was a major test when Thailand faced Indonesia, the defending 2023 SEA Games champions and the nation with the most titles at 12. Yet, with fighting spirit and perfect teamwork, Thailand edged out Indonesia in a thrilling 3-2 set win to claim the gold medal for the first time in eight years. This victory on home soil brought pride to the entire nation.
A key contributor to this success was Boonyarit Wongthorn, the main setter who skillfully controlled the game and created opportunities for his teammates, becoming a beloved figure among Thai volleyball fans.
This achievement resonated back home, where villagers in Ban Nong Chad warmly welcomed him with a ceremony, honoring him as a community hero and inspiring local youth to see that even from a small village, one can reach the ASEAN stage and bring honor to the country.