"Pimpichaya" talks about one special person after the Thai women's volleyball team qualified for the Olympics for the first time and won the Asian Championship.
On 31 August 2026, Beam Pimpichaya Kokram, a star player of the Thai women's national volleyball team, gave an interview after winning the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship by defeating host China in the final 3-2 sets: 25-20, 11-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-10.
This historic achievement means the Thai women's volleyball team has qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time, with the 2026 Asian Championship title granting automatic qualification for the 2028 Olympics, as well as entry to the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Championship and the 2028 Asian Championship.
Beam Pimpichaya Kokram shared her feelings after the Thai women's volleyball team secured their first-ever Olympic berth: "Everyone was amazing today. It's unbelievable—I got goosebumps. I will go to L.A. We all will go to L.A."
"Thank you to all the volleyball fans who cheered for us, and thanks to all the staff members. Also, thank you to the fans back home who sent their support. We love you all very much. We gave our all in this competition. Thank you very much."
Meanwhile, Beam Pimpichaya did not forget to mention Rusameekae Fakuealon, a famous actress and host, who vowed to run 100 laps around Wat Phra Kaew if the Thai women's volleyball team won this competition and secured the Olympic ticket for 2028.
Pimpichaya Kokram sent encouragement to everyone who will fulfill this vow for the Thai women's volleyball team after their Olympic qualification: "To everyone fulfilling the vow, keep fighting. P’Kae (Rusameekae) will run 100 laps around Wat Phra Kaew. Keep it up—we are cheering for you."
Rusameekae Fakuealon confirmed on her personal social media that she will definitely keep her promise: "A promise is a promise. I will run 100 laps around Wat Phra Kaew. I checked—one lap is about 2 kilometers, so I have to run a total of 200 kilometers."
"But I will split the running over approximately two months. I might not run in a group or with others. In the end, this run is definitely worth it, especially since the Thai volleyball team made it to the Olympics."
The Thai women's volleyball team is scheduled to return to Thailand today at 21:15 on Thai Airways flight TG615.
*Thanks for the photo from Facebook: Rusameekae Rusameekae