Thailand’s Saysunee Jana smiles after her victory. PR

Thailand made a commanding start to the 13th Asean Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, following Tuesday night’s glittering opening ceremony with a dominant display across multiple disciplines on Wednesday.

The hosts dazzled at venues across the province, keeping rivals at arm’s length in the medal race and establishing an early advantage over three-time defending champions Indonesia.

By press time, Thailand’s gold medal tally had already climbed impressively to 18.

The opening day was marked by triumphs in fencing, swimming, cycling, basketball and powerlifting.

Para fencer Saysunee Jana, one of the most decorated Thai para athletes, lived up to the expectations of the Thai fans by delivering the women’s sabre class B gold medal with a commanding performance.

A triple gold medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Saysunee faced Indonesia’s Niken in the title showdown. Her ruthless execution saw her sweep to a 15-2 win that drew roars of approval from the stands.

Visit Kingmanaw was the second Thai fencer to taste success, beating compatriot Sudsakorn Sawaengmanee 15-8 in the men’s epee B final.

The pool proved equally fruitful for the hosts, with Thai swimmers contributing nine gold medals on the opening day.

Nithikorn Jeampiriyakul set the tone, storming to victory in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB14 with a new Games record of 1:08.09min.

He was swiftly followed by Anchaya Ketkaew, who claimed gold in the women’s 100m freestyle SB9 in 1:10.14min.

Anchaya took her second gold of the competition with victory in the women’s 100m freestyle S9 race.

Further victories came courtesy of Monrudee Kangpila (women’s 100m breaststroke SB9); Prakaithip Chaiwong (women’s 100m breaststroke SB7-SB8); Eakapan Songwichean (men’s 50m backstroke SB5); Natirat Meeprom (men’s 200m breaststroke SB14); Sampachan Samathi (men’s 100m freestyle SB10); and Wilasini Wongnonthapoom (women’s 50m backstroke S4-S5), each adding to the Kingdom’s burgeoning haul.

Cycling brought yet more glory, with Thai riders sweeping the podium in several road racing events.

In the men’s individual time trial H1-H3, Aekrawee Khamyang, Nonthawat Khowsutthi and Phongchai Yanaruedee secured gold, silver and bronze respectively.

The H4-H5 final produced another Thai clean sweep, led by gold-winner Atachai Sriwichai. Sumas Panalai and Kitsipat Muangkot took the silver and bronze in the event.

The women riders were not to be left behind as Patcharapha Seesen, Naphatsakorn Rodklang and Muthita Kuanwiangchan swept the board in the individual time trial H1-H5 race to replicate the feat.

Indonesia did strike back in the men’s time trial B, where Nurfendi (41:59.763) edged Thailand’s Surachai Yokphanitchakit (42:10.546) and Patiphat Hemphitak (42:56.933) to claim the top spot on the podium.

In the women’s event, Indonesia’s Vanza Mifthahul Jannah claimed gold in 34:55.616min, with Thailand’s Watcharobon Boonmalert (35:57.202) taking bronze.

Basketball provided one of the day’s most stirring spectacles.

Thailand’s women’s wheelchair 3x3 team – Natnapa Ponin, Nopparat Tanbut, Warisa Thamlaaied, Pimjai Putthanoi and Pawarati Jala – secured the nation’s first gold of the Games with a 12–5 victory over the Philippines.

The men’s side followed suit, defeating the same opponents 20–13 to complete a double triumph. For the men, it marked a sixth consecutive Games victory, cementing their status as regional powerhouses.

The drama extended to the powerlifting arena, where Kamolpan Kraratpet clinched gold with a final lift of 104kg, edging Vietnam’s Hoang Tuyet Loan Chau by a single kilo.