By Uzma Sahar 
Thailand’s Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn clinched a gold medal in sailing at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Thursday, marking a historic sporting achievement for the Thai royal family.
The regional sporting event is currently underway in Thailand, with competitions taking place across multiple venues.
Queen Leads Team to Victory in Pattaya
Queen Suthida competed in the mixed keelboat SSL47 category, sailing a 47-foot vessel alongside nine other crew members. Serving as both tactician and helmswoman, the 47-year-old royal played a decisive role in guiding the Thai team to victory in waters off Pattaya.
Thailand finished ahead of Malaysia, which secured silver, and Myanmar, which took bronze.
The gold medal is set to be formally presented to Queen Suthida later on Thursday by her husband, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, aged 73.
From Flight Attendant to Champion Sailor
Before becoming queen, Suthida earned a degree in communications and worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways. She later pursued a military career and rose through the ranks, earning widespread public respect.
Known for her passion for fitness and sports, the queen recently completed a half marathon in Bangkok with an impressive time of 2:13:40, running alongside legendary Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge.
Earlier this month, Queen Suthida also led the Thai delegation at the SEA Games opening ceremony in Bangkok on December 9.
A Royal Legacy in Sailing
Queen Suthida’s triumph continues a long-standing royal tradition in sailing.
Her father-in-law, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, won a gold medal at the 1967 SEA Games held in Thailand. Competing in the OK class on a boat he designed and built himself, King Bhumibol claimed victory alongside his eldest daughter, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, according to the SEA Games website.
Thailand Dominates Medal Tally
The SEA Games conclude on Saturday, with Thailand leading the medal standings, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam.
Although eleven nations were originally scheduled to compete, Cambodia withdrew shortly before the Games due to renewed border tensions with the host country.