Thailand U16 Ice Hockey Team Heads To New Zealand Tournament
Thailand's U16 ice hockey team will compete in the Pan Pacific Series in New Zealand this October, marking the youth program's first official international tournament while promoting Thai culture globally.
Team manager Janista Liwchelaiwong has set her sights on Thailand's U16 ice hockey team using the Pan Pacific Series as a platform to showcase Thai culture through the sport. Janista Liwchelaiwong, manager of the Amazing Thailand Ice Hockey youth development program for athletes under 16, along with coach Tewin Chatsuwanpol, announced Thailand's participation in the Pan Pacific Series 2026, to be held in Queenstown, New Zealand from October 29 to November 2, 2026. The young Thai athletes were also inspired by Jonas Siegenthaler, a Thai-Swiss professional ice hockey player who competes for the New Jersey Devils in the NHL.
The Pan Pacific ice hockey competition is a collaborative effort among four nations—New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Australia—to develop youth ice hockey together, with New Zealand serving as this year's host. This tournament marks Thailand's first official international competition for its U16 development program and represents a crucial step in preparing young athletes for elite-level competition in the future.
The U16 youth team is part of the larger Amazing Thailand Ice Hockey Team initiative, which combines youth sports with tourism promotion through a youth sports tourism concept. The program aims to use international ice hockey as a platform to promote Thailand to the global audience while creating valuable opportunities for young athletes through cultural exchange, international friendships, and world-class sporting experiences.
Janista Liwchelaiwong revealed that last year, she brought 12 young Thai athletes to compete in Australia and returned with victories, making this an excellent opportunity for the federation to support the U16 athletes as part of a continuous development program that can feed athletes into the U18, U20, and senior national teams. With the Pan Pacific Series 2026 in New Zealand coming later this year, this represents a prime opportunity to develop Thailand's U16 ice hockey athletes.
"Our goal is certainly to win," she said, "but beyond that, this is a chance for the young athletes to showcase their abilities, gain inspiration, and grow. Our Thai team also serves as ambassadors of Thai culture in the process."
