How Thailand returned to Asian women's volleyball summit and set sights on Paris 2024 after Pleumjit Thinkaow and the Fab Six called it quits
Two years after the retirement of six Thai volleyball greats, their successors clinched a first Asian title in a decade earlier this month. Find out how they did it and who their new stars are at the Paris 2024 Volleyball Women's Olympic Qualifier and Asian Games.
Volleyball
A glorious new era in Thailand women’s volleyball may have just begun.
In September 2023, the team triumphed at home in Nakhon Ratchasima to claim a first Asian title in a decade.
The squad of 2013, and the only previous title-winning side of 2009, contained what became known as the Fab Six including star players Pleumjit Thinkaow and Wilavan Apinyapong.
Despite their successes in continental competition, Thailand are yet to make it to the Olympic Games having just missed out three times in succession.
Tokyo 2020 in 2021 was the last chance for the Fab Six to make it, but they went down 3-0 in the Asian Qualification Tournament Final in Nakhon Ratchasima to the Republic of Korea.
Thailand’s new squad – blending youth and experience and led by 2013 Asian champion Piyanut Pannoy - will aim to break new ground at one of three FIVB Road to Paris 2024 Volleyball Olympic Qualification Tournaments (OQT).
Hosted by Poland in Lodz, Thailand are one of eight teams seeking a top-two berth to ensure qualification for the Olympic Games for the first time.
Exit the Fab Six, enter the Magnificent Se7en.
In September 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam, Thailand’s women won their first Asian volleyball title.
Four years later, they regained the title on home soil in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Outside hitter Apinyapong led the side to both triumphs with Pleumjit – another mainstay of the team at middle blocker - taking over the captaincy in 2016.
Together with setter Nootsara Tomkom, 2009 Asian Championship MVP Onuma Sittirak, opposite hitter Malika Kanthong, and middle blocker Amporn Hyapha, they comprised the Fab Six.
But after their failure to qualify for Tokyo 2020, they took their final bow at the 2021 Nations League.
After their exit, only four survivors - libero Pannoy, setter Pornpun Guedpard, middle blockers Thatdao Nuekjang, and outside hitter Ajcharaporn Kongyot - remained from the 2013 Asian Championship triumph.
For the 2022 Nations League (VNL), a number of players who had previously been peripheral members in the national squad were offered a chance to establish themselves as starters.
And the likes of Pimpichaya 'Beem' Kokram, Chatchu-On Moksri, and Hattaya Bamrungsuk made full use of the opportunity.
With Guedpard statistically the best setter in the competition, and Pimpichaya one of the top attackers, Thailand made the Nations League quarter-finals for the very first time.
And despite an outstanding performance from Ajcharaporn Kongyot, and taking the opening game, they went down 3-1 to Türkiye.
The World Championships in the Netherlands and Poland were less successful.
After a bright start in the first round, the Thais suffered four defeats out of four in round two in Lodz although they did equal their best finish of 13th.
Thai women regain Asian title after Nations League setback
The team eased to a 14th consecutive Southeast Asian Games title in Cambodia, only dropping a set in the final where they beat Vietnam 3-1.
But the 2023 Nations League was something of a disappointment as the team ended their campaign with four consecutive 3-0 defeats on home soil in Bangkok to finish down in 14th place.
Still, expectations were high in August when Thailand hosted the Asian Championships in Nakhon Ratchasima for the first time since they clinched a second title in 2013.
After silver medals at the previous two competitions, they cruised through to the semi-finals where - on the back of 20 points from Chatchu-On - they stunned two-time reigning champions Japan 15-11 in the deciding set.
The final against People's Republic of China was even more tense. And with the home crowd making themselves heard, Chatchu-On scored 23 points and Ajcharaporn 22 as Thailand won 16-14 in the decider to regain the Asian Championship crown.
Chatchu-On claimed the most valuable player award with Guedpard named best setter and Nuekjang selected as one of the tournament's two best middle blockers.
They will hope to fare considerably better in Lodz than during last year's World Championships and perhaps secure that elusive Olympic berth.
Just a week later, the Thai women will start their bid for a first Asian Games title in Hangzhou, China, after claiming bronze in 2014 and silver in 2018.