Cycling Nationals Return to Trat After Eight-Year Absence
The Thailand Cycling Association will host the second round of the Thailand Open national championship in Trat's Laem Ngop district on February 13-14, 2027, marking the first cycling event there in eight years. Mountain bike and road racers will compete for a royal trophy with live streaming available, while Trat province prepares Valentine's Day festivities and promotes local tourism attractions for participants and families.
Lt. Gen. Decha Hemkrasri, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation, president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation, and president of the Thailand Cycling Association under royal patronage, revealed that the association is joining forces with Trat province and the Trat Provincial Administrative Organization to hold the Thailand Open mountain bike and road cycling national championship, competing for the royal trophy bestowed by HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, from February 13-14, 2027, in Laem Ngop district, Trat. The competition will be broadcast live on the Thailand Cycling Association Facebook page and TCA YouTube channel for fans to follow both days.
Decha said the association was coordinated by former Interior Ministry permanent secretary Sutthipong Chuncharoen, a Trat native, who then connected with Trat Governor Chatraparorn Niyom and Trat PAO President Wichian Thapcharoen, both of whom agreed to support and co-host. The road cycling Thailand Open coincides with Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 14, so the province is preparing a major celebration, and athletes bringing families can also enjoy the festival of love.
Decha added this marks the first time in eight years the cycling association has returned to hold an event in Trat, after previously hosting the women's international Tour of Trat in May 2019 to celebrate the association's 60th anniversary and serve as an Olympic qualifier for Tokyo 2020.
After competing, cyclists can visit attractions such as the Laem Ngop viewpoint, Ban Nam Chiao, Black Sand Beach, Ao Tan Khao, Ban Chun Beach, Trat City Museum, Trat City Pillar Shrine, the French-built Juang Residence from the Rama V era, Ban Had Lek border market, the Thai Red Cross He Lao center, or cross to Koh Chang to see the naval monument landmark.
Governor Chatraparorn Niyom said after being contacted by the cycling association to co-host, the province invited relevant agencies — including the provincial administrative organization, provincial police, public health, disaster prevention, electricity authority, highways department, rural highways, rescue volunteers, and other related units — to meet and prepare. They will also invite association representatives to a follow-up meeting to detail all competition aspects.
The governor noted that hosting this event not only promotes exercise among the general public but also...
