Bangkok, Thailand, December 15, 2025 – Hosts Thailand staged a breathtaking comeback to overcome a resolute Vietnam 3–2 and clinch their 17th SEA Games women’s volleyball title, the 15th in a remarkable consecutive run, in a pulsating final of the 33rd SEA Games at a packed Huamark Indoor Stadium on Monday night.
Appearing in their 19th final of the biennial regional showpiece, world No.18 and reigning Asian champions Thailand were pushed to the limit by world No.28 Vietnam, winners of the 2025 AVC Nations Cup and familiar foes in SEA Games finals, having met the Thais on this stage 12 times previously.
Thailand made a sluggish start, dropping the opening set 19–25, but the hosts quickly rediscovered their rhythm. Roared on by the partisan crowd, they regrouped with renewed composure and intensity. Sasipapron Janthawisut, Pimpichaya Kokram and Chatchu-On Moksri were relentless in attack, powering Thailand to dominant 25–13 and 25–18 victories in the next two sets to take a 2–1 lead.
Vietnam refused to yield. Their disciplined net play proved decisive in the fourth set, which unfolded as a tense, point-for-point battle. Locked at 17–17 and again at 22–22, Vietnam, led by the heavy artillery of Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Tran Thi Bich Thuy and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, withstood the deafening cheers of the home crowd. They seized the key moments to edge ahead 25–23 and force a deciding fifth set.
The decider delivered drama in abundance. Vietnam surged to a commanding 10–5 advantage, momentarily silencing the venue faithful. Yet Thailand showed championship steel, steadily clawing their way back with clinical execution and unwavering nerve to draw level at 12–12 and 14–14. What followed was a gripping exchange of leads that had the crowd on its feet. From 23–23, Thailand found their winning touch, sealing the contest with two consecutive points, the final blow delivered by a blistering ace from Pimpichaya, to prevail 25–23 and lift the coveted title.
The arena erupted in jubilation as fans leapt in celebration and waved flags in a sea of red, white and blue.
Sasipapron spearheaded Thailand’s attack with a match-high 28 points, including 27 kills and an ace. Pimpichaya added 24 points, while Chatchu-On contributed 16. For Vietnam, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy led the charge with 24 points, with Tran Thi Bich Thuy and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh chipping in 15 and 14 points respectively.
Thailand held the upper hand in most statistical categories, outscoring Vietnam in kills (81–59) and service aces (10–3). Vietnam, however, excelled in blocking with nine stuffs to Thailand’s eight and capitalised on more opponent errors (33–18).
The victory extended Thailand’s flawless record against Vietnam in SEA Games finals to 12 wins from 12 encounters. With this triumph, Thailand have now claimed the SEA Games title 17 times overall, including an extraordinary 15 straight championships. Vietnam, meanwhile, settled for silver for the 12th time.
Earlier in the day, Indonesia captured the bronze medal after a thrilling 3–1 (28–26, 13–25, 30–28, 26–24) victory over the Philippines, ending the Filipinas’ campaign in heartbreak once again.
Indonesia’s talisman Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi delivered a commanding performance, topping all scorers with 26 points from 22 attacks and four blocks. Amie Provido and Angel Anne Canino led the Philippines with 14 points apiece.
The loss extended the Philippines’ SEA Games medal drought, which dates back to 2005 when they claimed bronze on home soil. Since then, their best finishes have been five consecutive fourth-place results from 2017 to 2025.
In the men’s tournament, world No.51 Indonesia, defending champions and winners of the last three SEA Games titles, launched their title defence in emphatic fashion with a straight-set 25–15, 25–22, 25–19 victory over Myanmar in Pool B.
With only three teams in the pool and the top two advancing, both Indonesia and the Philippines secured their semifinal berths after registering straight-set wins over Myanmar. The two powerhouses will meet on Tuesday, December 16, to determine the top spot in Pool B, while Myanmar moved on to the 5th–7th classification round.
In Pool A, world No.59 Thailand and world No.60 Vietnam also booked their semifinal places with back-to-back victories. Thailand, former eight-time SEA Games champions who finished fourth in the last two editions in Quang Ninh and Phnom Penh, showed their renewed strength by brushing aside Laos in straight sets, 25–13, 25–12, 25–16.
Napadet Pinijdee led Thailand with 12 points, supported by Anurak Phanram with 11 and Kissada Nilsawai with seven.
Thailand, champions of the first leg of the 2025 SEA V.League in the Philippines, will face Vietnam on December 16 to decide the Pool A winners, while Laos take on Singapore to determine third and fourth places in the group.
Match Schedule
Tuesday, December 16 (All local times)
- 12.30pm: Pool B: Philippines vs Indonesia
- 15.00pm: Pool A: Laos vs Singapore
- 17.30pm: Pool A: Thailand vs Vietnam