Looking back to three years ago! Coach Park opens up to South Korean media after leading Thailand's men's national volleyball team to win the SEA Games title for the first time in 8 years.
On 22 Dec 2025 GMT+7, following a thrilling match where Thailand's men's volleyball team narrowly defeated Indonesia 3-2 sets, they secured the gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games. This victory ended an 8-year title drought for the Thai men's volleyball squad and marked their 9th championship amid roaring cheers from the stadium crowd.
Beyond the long-awaited championship celebrations for the Thai athletes, for Coach Park Ki-won this is a valuable result after taking over as head coach of Thailand's men's national volleyball team in February 2023, nearly 2 years and 10 months ago.
Coach Park told Yonhap, “I came to work in Thailand three years ago and had to prepare the team in a new environment. The efforts now bearing fruit into a meaningful success are very special. This victory did not come from me alone but from the help of everyone, the trust within the team, and good timing. I want to thank everyone who has traveled this journey together.”
Coach Park was sent by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as head coach of the Thai team in February 2023, shortly before the 2023 SEA Games. Due to the limited time, the Thai team finished only 4th in that SEA Games, leaving without a medal.
Subsequently, at the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup, he successfully led Thailand to the championship by defeating Bahrain 3-0 sets, earning the right to compete in the 2023 FIVB Challenger Cup.
Although they lost to the host Qatar 0-3 sets at the global level and missed qualification for VNL 2024, this was a very positive sign for the development of the Thai men's team.