Thammasat congratulated students, organizing an event honoring students representing Thailand participated in the 32nd SEA Games.

Thursday 15 June 2023

     Thammasat University organized an honor ceremony for students who participated in the 32nd SEA Games at the Student Affairs Division 3 Conference Room, Student Activity Building A, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, to congratulate and honor students who have made a reputation in sports for Thailand and Thammasat University, having Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University presided over the scholarship awarding ceremony. 

     SEA GAMES is the largest sporting event of excellence in Southeast Asia. Currently, the SEA Games organized the competition for the 32nd time held in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia with 32 sports competitions and members from 11 countries participating in the competition, consisting of Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. For Thailand, a total of 846 athletes attended in the competition, of which 21 athletes are students of Thammasat University.

     Assoc. Prof. Roj Khun-anake, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, said that Thammasat University students representing Thailand to compete in 8 sports, including athletics, international fencing, taekwondo, football, soft tennis, finswimming, water polo and diving which could win a total of 18 medals, consisting of 5 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 10 bronze medals.

     To support students who built a reputation for Thailand and Thammasat University, therefore 21 scholarships were awarded to honor the students (totaling 190,000 Thai baht).

     Let’s talk about behind the scenes of success with representatives of Thammasat athletes who won medals in the latest SEA Games.

     Worakan Srinualnad, a student from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sports Science and Sports Development Major, the representative of Thailand won the gold medal in the international fencing competition mentioning about this success that he was very happy. The gold medal received this time is to unlock the goal that I always wanted to achieve. Even after going through six months of intense training with an injury during training that almost made me decide not to compete, however I chose to keep fighting and get through it. The next goal is to develop myself to reach the dream stage like the Olympic Games and become one of the people who continue to develop the fencing sport in Thailand.

     “If talking about preparation, I would say that moment was the battle of life with the fact that I wanted to knock down the old champion causing me to exceed my own limits, so it's been 6 months that were really hard. Thank you to my family for everything and for supporting all matters. Thanks to the manager for taking the time to find a way to incorporate training. Thank you coaches for taking care of us and believing in us. Thanks physiotherapist, thank you for not giving up, for fighting, turning pain into motivation until I succeeded and finally, thank you to the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences who helps support me in all aspects. All professors are attentive and understanding, I was able to consult and inquire with them on all matters,” Worakan said.

     Wuttiphat Sa-nguanwong, a student from Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sports Science and Sports Development Major won a gold medal in the Finswimming competition expressing his feeling that this competition is considered the achievement of the goals set and is the first gold medal at the SEA Games that he can earn a record. Now, it can be considered that the dream that he had hoped for was fulfilled. In terms of training, it took quite a long time, he practiced very hard, and so caused him to feel discouraged sometimes. However, he fought and tried until he was surpassed. He had injuries throughout training but was also doing physical therapy.

     “I encourage all athletes of Thammasat to achieve success in sports as they hoped for. To be successful, it takes both time and effort, so keep going. It's important for athletes to have discipline, patience, and to set a goal. In addition, a strong mind and good encouragement is important. Make sure to try developing different techniques that suit yourself and the type of sport you play for further self-development, ”Wuttiphat said.

     Chulanan Khantikulanont, a College of Innovation student who won a gold medal in Taekwondo, said she was very happy because she didn't expect she would win a gold medal as she was injured at the end of last year. This caused her not to be able to practice since then, therefore she relied on to practice in April which, from the first day of practice, she was injured, leaving 10 days before going to the race. So, just being able to stand on the field, she would already be very happy.

     “The essence of being an athlete is discipline and responsibility in one's own duties. If you wish to win, you have to practice. Taekwondo has weight matters involved, therefore you are required to have a lot of responsibility and discipline. I want to tell people who are trying not to give up and go through it to the end. Playing sports is already tiring and if our dreams are still clear, go for them to the fullest. There will be nothing to regret later,” said Chulanan.

     Thammasat University students who participated in the 32nd SEA Games and received scholarships consisted of:

Students receiving scholarships of 10,000 baht, 17 scholarships

Gold medal

     1. Chulanan Khantikulanont, College of Innovation, Taekwondo

     2. Worakan Srinualnad, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, International fencing

     3. Nannaphat Khoncharoenkrai, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Cricket

     4. Chonthicha Kabutr, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Athletics (Pole vaulting)

     5. Wuttiphat Sa-nguanwong, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Finswimming

Silver medal

     1. Sippakorn Thong-ngiew, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Soft tennis

     2. Supakrit Charoensin, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Soft tennis

     3. Phakaphon Thienchaiphong, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Soft tennis

     4. Paponphat Wong-ek, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Finswimming

Bronze medal

     1. Nuchwara Wichaksanapong, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Finswimming

     2. Pichamon Limpaibool, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Taekwondo

     3. Kittiphong Nonphala, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Finswimming

     4. Surabordee Saengkaew, Faculty of Political Science, Finswimming

     5. Phuriphong Saengthanaphanich, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Water polo

     6. Noppawit Sawetmalanont, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Water polo

     7. Panittha Jeerattanapavibool, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Football

     8. Chatcha Klomkamol, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Soft tennis

Students receiving scholarships of 5,000 baht, 3 scholarships

     1. Supisara Ngerndit, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Athletics

     2. Thitiwut Permpool, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Diving

     3. Punyanuch Pitakduangkamol, Faculty of Liberal Arts, International fencing