The Southeast Asian squad has risen from being promising hopefuls to formidable challengers, achieving historic milestones and claiming their place as a key player in the sport
For years, Thailand’s volleyball story has largely been written by its women’s team – a powerhouse in volleyball, carrying a legacy of titles and international acclaim. The men’s team, while full of potential and passion, had not yet reached the same heights.
That began to change in 2021, when the FIVB Empowerment programme stepped in, providing the resources, coaching and infrastructure needed to help the men’s team take the next step in their volleyball voyage.
The impact was clear almost immediately. With the Empowerment support allocated for coaching and equipment, the Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) was able to improve its training systems and provide players with the tools and support they needed to raise their game.
The appointment of Korean coach Park Ki-Won became a turning point. Having decades of experience and success stories, coach Park brought a fresh approach to training and strategy. His methods helped players develop a sharper understanding of the game, both individually and as a team. Training became more focused, and the players’ confidence began to grow with him at the helm.
Thailand’s Korean mentor Park Ki-Won helped turn the team into a fierce competitor internationally.
The hard work paid off in 2024 when the men’s team took home titles at the Southeast Asian Volleyball League. Victories in Manila and Yogyakarta came in straight sets, showing the team’s strength and control on the court. These wins were not merely a demonstration of athletic skills but results of discipline, teamwork and mental focus, all of which had improved under their renewed programme. Thailand men’s volleyball had turned a corner.
The Southeast Asian squad’s biggest moment, however, came earlier in 2023, when they made history at the AVC Challenge Cup, claiming their first-ever title in the competition by beating Bahrain in straight sets and a long list of tough opponents. This was not just a major milestone, but also a ladder that led them to a place in the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup that gave them a chance to compete on an even bigger stage.
Thailand made history after winning the AVC Challenger Cup in 2023.
This marked a new chapter in Thailand’s volleyball story, as this set the tone for what is to come for the men’s team. Their rise could not have come at a better time. While the women’s team continues to flourish as a global force, the men are now making their mark in giving Thailand’s strength in both men’s and women’s volleyball programmes.
Few countries in the Southeast Asian region can claim such a balanced presence in the sport. This shared success puts Thailand in a stronger position on the international stage, both as a competitor and as a leader in the region.
This balance has generated new energy for volleyball across the country. For years, young athletes were inspired primarily by the women’s team. Now, the achievements of the men’s team have also opened doors to young boys as a clear path forward to play volleyball.
In Thailand, schools, clubs and leagues have developed that interest for the young players to follow in the footsteps of their Thai men’s and women’s volleyball heroes, which helps build a stronger foundation for the sport in the country.
With the FIVB Empowerment support, the Thailand men’s team provided them a determination to keep building on their success. And with coach Park’s leadership that is focused on consistency and adaptability to international play, the men’s team are developing into a skillful contender.
FIVB Empowerment has turned Thailand’s men’s volleyball team into game-changers, rewriting their story with historic victories and positioning them as serious competitors on the world stage.
In principle, competition will be a lot tougher, but their recent wins will give them the push to take on bigger challenges, not just hoping to participate but also aiming to make an impact on a bigger stage.
Thailand men’s team’s success is a tale of progress and possibility, enabled by the support of FIVB. From a team that once stood in the shadow of its female counterparts, they have stepped into the spotlight, proving themselves as real contenders. And with this newfound strength, they are shaping Thailand into a true volleyball powerhouse. With both teams continuing to push forward, they are setting a new standard, not just in Southeast Asia but also around the world.
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