Thailand's massive 2018 Asian Games delegation aimed for record-breaking gold medal success in Indonesia
In short: In 2018, Thailand sent 830 athletes to the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, marking its eighteenth appearance at the event. With high expectations set by national sports authorities, the delegation prepared to compete across 46 disciplines, supported by a private broadcaster providing unprecedented multi-platform coverage for fans back home.
The 2018 Asian Games, held from 18 August to 2 September in Indonesia, represented a significant logistical undertaking for Thailand. The nation sent a substantial contingent of 830 athletes, comprising 445 men and 385 women, to compete in 46 sport disciplines. This effort was overseen by chef de mission Thana Chaiprasit, a veteran of previous Olympic and regional games. The scale of participation was vast, ranging from traditional sports like boxing and weightlifting to newer additions like jet skiing and contract bridge, reflecting the diversity of the games.
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) established ambitious performance targets for the team. While the Governor of the SAT, Sakol Wannapong, publicly aimed for 20 gold medals, the Director of the Sports Science Department, Somphorn Wannasriri, projected a more specific haul of 17 gold, 15 silver, and 28 bronze medals. These goals were set with the intention of exceeding the performance at the previous Incheon games, where the country secured 12 gold medals. To ensure the public could follow these efforts, Workpoint Entertainment became the first private entity to hold exclusive broadcast rights, streaming events across television, social media, and mobile platforms.
Preparation for the games was extensive, beginning well before the opening ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. In February 2018, Thailand participated in a test event with 92 athletes and 33 officials to familiarize themselves with the conditions. The delegation included specialized squads across numerous sports, such as 60 athletes in athletics, 24 in contract bridge, and 54 in rowing and canoeing. The inclusion of diverse teams, including men's and women's squads in football, basketball, and field hockey, underscored the breadth of Thailand's sporting ambitions during this eighteenth appearance at the Asian Games since their inaugural debut in New Delhi.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Thailand at the 2018 Asian Games
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