Thai Sepak Takraw Fans Eye 15-Gold Target at 2026 Asian Games
Thai fans are optimistic about their nation's prospects at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, with 62% believing the country will win at least 15 gold medals, particularly in sepak takraw and volleyball.
Thailand's national sports teams will compete in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. To gauge public sentiment, the KBU Sport Poll—run by Kasemwattana University's Human Capital Innovation Centre with the Sports Management Institute (WISDOM) and the B Bang Pakong Facebook page—surveyed 1,102 adults between September 7–9, 2026. The sample included 702 males (63.70%), 352 females (31.94%), and 48 LGBTQIA+ respondents (4.36%).
On interest in following the games, 84.60% of respondents expressed interest, 11.52% were undecided, and 3.88% had no interest. Regarding Thailand's chances of achieving at least 15 gold medals, 33.05% believed it quite likely, 29.10% very likely, 18.92% unlikely, 14.28% quite unlikely, and 4.65% were unsure.
Sports expected to deliver gold medals ranked as follows: Sepak Takraw (94.60%), Takraw (91.22%), Women's Volleyball (90.15%), Weightlifting (88.75%), Athletics (86.88%), Golf (84.06%), Taekwondo (82.39%), Muay Thai (80.55%), Badminton (78.80%), and Sailing/Esports (76.00%).
Key success factors identified were: athletes' performance and ability (29.10%), training time and team preparation (26.50%), coaches' performance and capability (22.35%), budget and agency support (12.90%), judging fairness (7.11%), and other factors (2.04%).
