Thai Cycling Officials Seminar Updates Rules, Elects New President

"Seth Mek" Pol. Gen. Decha Hemkrasi, Vice President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), President of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Thailand Cycling Association under Royal Patronage, presided over the opening of the 2027 Cycling Officials Seminar No. 1. A total of 37 cycling officials attended to develop their knowledge, capabilities, and standards for accurate and fair officiating, and to learn about UCI rule changes, in line with the Thailand Cycling Association's personnel development strategy. The event also included the election of a new officials club president, held at the Athlete Building, Kamol Sports Complex (FBT) in Bangkok's Nong Chok district on October 22, 2026.

After the opening ceremony, Pol. Gen. Decha revealed that under the association's strategic plan, personnel development components include training courses for coaches, officials, and bicycle mechanics to enhance their knowledge. For officials, annual seminars will be held to inform them of new regulations since the UCI changes rules every year before the start of the 2027 competition season, ensuring officials perform their duties to the highest standard. These are the association's goals for multi-dimensional personnel development, aligned with the Sports Authority of Thailand's strategic plan. The occasion was also used to elect a new officials president.

Pol. Gen. Decha stated that cycling has many disciplines: mountain bike, road, BMX, and track, each with multiple events. Mountain bike includes cross-country, downhill, eliminator, and mixed relay. Road includes road race and time trial. Track has numerous events. Cycling officials must therefore pass training from basic level, then serve as trainees, then take exams to advance to Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1. UCI instructors provide training and conduct promotion exams. If any official demonstrates the knowledge and ability to develop into an International Commissaire, the association will provide full support.

Regarding the election of the Cycling Officials Club president, once a new president is elected, they will appoint vice presidents, club secretary, treasurer, ethics committee, technical committee, and registrar, with a structure mirroring the UCI. This will then be reported to the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) so they know who the new officials president is. When appointing cycling officials for the National Games, National Youth Games, University Games, or private competitions, the officials president and committee will select suitable officials to prevent errors or disputes.

Thai cycling officials who have reached international level, or International Commissaire, include Mr. Natthaphong Lohitnawi, an International Commissaire for track and road; Mr. Khattiya Thanachayakul, an International Commissaire for BMX who recently officiated at the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Additionally, there are more than 10 Elite National Commissaires (ENC) across road, mountain bike, BMX, and track disciplines. Most recently, Ms. Nawanop Sukprayun, an official...