The Asian powerhouse enters another VNL season with experience and a strong foundation through Empowerment
Thailand’s women’s national team returns to the Volleyball Nations League in 2025 as one of Asia’s most enduring competitors. Backed by years of experience and support through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, they enter another season with a team that has grown into its own identity and carrying forward a legacy shaped by a generational shift.
The Fab Six included Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong, Nootsara Tomkom, Onuma Sittirak, Malika Kanthong and Amporn Hyapha. They laid the foundation for Thailand’s rise on the world stage, and their farewell at the 2021 VNL marked the end of an era and a handover to the next.
That next era is led by the Magnificent Se7en: Piyanut Pannoy, Thatdao Nuekjang, Hattaya Bamrungsuk, Pornpun Guedpard, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Chatchu-On Moksri and Pimpichaya Kokram. This core group has taken ownership of the team and carried its legacy forward.
The team’s transformation has been supported in lockstep by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme, which has provided CHF 551,000 in support to initiatives of Thailand Volleyball Association since 2018. A large portion of that support was delivered in 2022 and 2023, including CHF 216,000 in dedicated coaching support. Additional support for equipment and infrastructure have helped improve training conditions for the national team. This Empowerment support has played a key role in sustaining elite performance and building a stronger pathway for the next generation.
Thailand have featured in every edition of the Volleyball Nations League since 2018, adapting to changes in both personnel and playing systems along the way. In 2022, they reached the Final Round for the first time – a milestone that reflected years of consistent development. In 2025, they return to a competition that has grown with them, bringing a squad shaped by experience, continuity and national identity.
Thailand’s first week of VNL action takes place in Beijing from 4 to 8 June, where they will meet Poland, Belgium, Türkiye and France. The second week sends them to Hong Kong from 18 to 22 June for matchups against Italy, Japan, Czechia and Bulgaria. Their final set of pool matches will be played in Arlington from 9 to 13 July, with fixtures against the United States, Germany, Dominican Republic and Canada.
Thailand’s core brings experience, balance and leadership. Chatchu-On remains a consistent scoring threat, while Ajcharaporn and Pimpichaya offer stability and power on both flanks. Thatdao and Hattaya continue to anchor the middle, and setter Pornpun leads the offence with control and vision. At the back, Piyanut provides calm and reliability in defence.
This generation is not trying to replicate the past, instead they have built something of their own – gained from experience and a style that reflects who they are. Their place at this level comes from years of playing together, learning from teams before them and staying true to Thailand’s identity.
The fan support behind this team remains among the strongest in international volleyball – and it is easy to see why. They play with connection, commitment and a cheerful spirit that goes beyond results. They are shaping their own legacy, with the Fab Six looking on with pride.
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