Rising cyclist Watcharapong secured the boys' youth time trial championship at the Thailand Cycling Championship held in Chanthaburi province, showcasing excellent form.
Watcharapong Sangkasorn, a rising cyclist from the Fisherman Friend Air Force 46 team in Phitsanulok, won the boys' youth time trial at the 2026 Thailand Road Cycling Championship for the Royal Trophy, Round 4, held in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi. Meanwhile, Kwisara Amkamnerd from the Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai team claimed the girls' youth title. Somsak Phaniengthong, chairman of the Ek Phaniengthong Foundation, expressed his delight at the large number of participants, noting it helped stimulate the economy and promote tourism effectively.
The 2026 Thailand Road Cycling Championship for the King Bhumibol Royal Trophy and the Thailand Mountain Bike Championship for the Royal Trophy, Round 4, took place from 24-26 April. The Cycling Association of Thailand, under Royal Patronage, cooperated with Chanthaburi province, Pong Nam Ron district, Thap Sai subdistrict municipality, and the Ek Phaniengthong Foundation to organize the event in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi. The road cycling opening ceremony, featuring the time trial event, was held on 24 April at the square in front of the Pong Nam Ron district office, chaired by Somsak Phaniengthong, chairman of the Ek Phaniengthong Foundation. Also present were General Decha Hemkrasri, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) and president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), along with the Cycling Association of Thailand president and various government officials.
After the opening, Somsak Phaniengthong expressed gratitude to the Cycling Association of Thailand for honoring and trusting Pong Nam Ron district to host the Thailand Cycling Championship for the 11th consecutive year. He noted the benefits in multiple areas: developing athletes for excellence, boosting the economy, and fostering local collaboration in event organization. He also addressed safety concerns due to the district's border location adjacent to Cambodia, saying the large number of participating athletes demonstrates Pong Nam Ron's full potential as a tourist destination.
Somsak further stated that the competition venues in Pong Nam Ron are well-prepared, featuring beautiful and challenging road routes and mountain bike trails meeting international standards, having previously hosted international events. This benefits young athletes by providing opportunities to develop skills and readiness for national and international competitions. After races, athletes can visit local attractions such as Wat Khao Chawang, Khlong Phra Phut Reservoir, Khao Kluea Shrine, and enjoy the seasonal fruits of Chanthaburi province including durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and lychee, which are available for purchase as souvenirs.
The road cycling time trial was broadcast live on Facebook Live via the Thailand Cycling Association and on YouTube via the TCA Channel, garnering over 12,000 views. Notable results include the women's open category (18.6 km): 1st place went to Sgt. Phet Darin Somrat, a Thai national team cyclist from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence, with a time of 28:48.271; 2nd place to rising star Pithayaporn Saetan of Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai with 28:54.387; and 3rd to Kamonrada Khaoplod from team KOMKOM with 29:25.490.
In the women's under-23 category (18.6 km), 1st place was Pithayaporn Saetan from Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai with 28:54.387, followed by Napatsawan Kaewthip from the same team with 34:05.287.
In the men's open category (27.9 km), 1st place went to Police Senior Sergeant Major Peerapong Ladngern of the Royal Thai Police team with a time of 35:52.607, 2nd to Sergeant Thanakarn Chaiyasombat of the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence with 37:04.837, and 3rd to Mr. Alex Destribois Coudroy from team KOMKOM with 37:44.199.
In the men's under-23 category (27.9 km), 1st place was Tinpat Muangdet of the Air Force Cycling Team KOM-KOM with 38:59.652, 2nd was Second Lieutenant Thanaphat Sakultra from Prime19 with 41:32.644, and 3rd was Natthawat Mangkwong from the Air Force Cycling Team KOM-KOM with 41:58.432.
In the boys' youth category aged 14-16 (9.3 km), 1st place went to Watcharapong Sangkasorn from Fisherman Friend Air Force 46 Phitsanulok with a time of 13:13.402, 2nd to Burapha Hingthaisong from Bangkok Sports School & Roojai team with 13:41.182, and 3rd to Athikun Santa from the same team with 13:54.773.
In the girls' youth category aged 14-18 (9.3 km), 1st place was Kwisara Amkamnerd from Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai with 15:10.498, 2nd was Thanchanok Jinaphirom from Bangkok Sports School & Roojai with 15:41.376, and 3rd was Siwaporn Phuttharam from the same team with 15:53.823.
In the men's youth category (18.6 km), 1st place was Kritpas Homkajorn from PUM BIKE HOPINN SPECIALIZED LOPBURI with 25:19.967, 2nd was Patchara Sithisampan from Gemburi with 25:35.349, and 3rd was Thannop Pandee from HEROBIKE-Phayao Pittayakom School with 26:49.237.
Additionally, the mountain bike downhill competition at Khlong Phra Phut Reservoir produced notable results: In the women's open category, champion was Phet (Police Senior Sergeant Major) Wiphawee Deekabales, a Thai national team cyclist and 33rd SEA Games gold medalist from Air Force Cycling Team KOM-KOM with a time of 1:25.588; 2nd was Kanokrat Ritdech from Bike Net with 1:27.283; and 3rd was Nada Binmuhammad from Kasem Bundit University with 1:38.283.
In the men's open category, the champion was Best, Asst. Ranger Methasit Boonsaneh, a Thai national team cyclist and 33rd SEA Games gold medalist from Lomocycle Core-nutrition Veetireco Royal Navy with 1:15.373; 2nd was Private Bannawit Nakwong from Royal Navy with 1:19.022; and 3rd was Chitiphat Asa from Fisherman Friend Rama 3 with 1:21.618. Complete results are available on the Cycling Association of Thailand’s website at www.thaicycling.or.th.
On Saturday, 25 April, the mountain bike cross-country competition took place, with the opening ceremony starting at 08:30, chaired by Mr. Praphit Yanpanya, district chief of Pong Nam Ron. The race course was within Khlong Phra Phut Reservoir, with a lap distance of 4.3 kilometers. In the afternoon, the “Bike for Life-TCA GREEN CYCLING” health ride event began at 15:00, officially opened by Mr. Monsit Paisanthanawat, governor of Chanthaburi. The route started at the Pong Nam Ron district office, turning back at Wat Nam Khiao, then returning to the finish line, totaling 10 kilometers. A children's race covered 5 kilometers. The events were broadcast live on Facebook Live via the Thailand Cycling Association and TCA Channel, as well as on YouTube via the TCA Channel, starting at 14:30.