The 13th ASEAN Para Games opened in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with a ceremony featuring leading vocal artists who celebrated Thai identity and the heritage of the Northeast (Isan) region through three performances. The event concluded as Saysunee Jana lit the cauldron, officially commencing the competition among athletes from 10 ASEAN nations across 19 sports, with 493 gold medals at stake.
The ASEAN Para Games, the region’s premier multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, officially opened at His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima at 7:00 p.m. on 20 January 2026.
His Majesty the King graciously appointed General His Royal Highness Prince Chalermsuk Yukol to preside over the opening ceremony on His behalf.
As host nation, Thailand presented a large-scale production of light, sound, and performance, highlighting Thai and Isan arts and culture to regional and international audiences through three main acts:
Performance 1: “One Symphony” – a vocal collaboration by Tachaya Prathumwan (The Voice Thailand) and luk thung artist Sunaree Ratchasima.
Performance 2: “Heartbeat Isan Pop” – a performance by MILLI (Danupha Khanatheerakul) and luk thung artist Arpaporn Nakornsawan.
Performance 3: “Rhythm of Heart” – a vocal performance by Gam The Star (Wichayanee Pearklin), representing the spirit and determination of para athletes.
During the athletes’ parade, Prawat Wahoram, a Thai wheelchair racer and seven-time Paralympic gold medallist, carried the national flag to lead the host nation’s delegation.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the torch relay, which featured:
Chaiwat Rattana, a wheelchair racing athlete from the Cerebral Palsy Sports Association of Thailand, Panom Laksanaprim, a swimming athlete from the Blind Sports Association of Thailand, and Orawan Kaising, an athlete from the Intellectual Disability Sports Association of Thailand.
The torch was then passed to “Waew” Saysunee Jana, a wheelchair fencing athlete from the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand and a five-time Paralympic gold medallist. She served as the final torchbearer and lit the cauldron, officially opening the Games.
The 13th ASEAN Para Games are being held from 20 to 26 January 2026 in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, with para athletes from 10 ASEAN member countries: Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Thailand as the host nation.
A total of 493 gold medals are contested across 19 sports. Events include athletics, swimming, badminton, cycling, five-a-side football (visual impairment), seven-a-side football (cerebral palsy), boccia, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, shooting, powerlifting, archery, fencing, judo, goalball, wheelchair tennis, table tennis, chess, and bowling, which is held in Bangkok. Two demonstration sports, lawn bowls and wheelchair rugby, are also included.
Source: ASEAN PARA Games 2025
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