On the evening of October 6, a warm and spirited ice hockey match took place at the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena in Bangkok, graced by the presence of King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida. This event featured a friendly showdown between Thailand’s national women’s ice hockey team and their counterparts from China, marking not only the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China but also King Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday.

Before the puck dropped, the atmosphere was electrified by a lively dance performance that set an enthusiastic tone for the evening. Among the notable attendees were Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang and his wife, Wang Huan, alongside Wang Xuan, the president of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, IOC member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul and her husband, as well as Luc Tardif, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Ambassador Han Zhiqiang took a moment to address the audience, highlighting the deep-rooted friendship between China and Thailand. He spoke about the fruitful cooperation across various sectors that benefits both nations and emphasized that this friendly match serves to strengthen the cultural exchanges both countries’ leaders have championed. With the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand approaching next year, Han expressed anticipation for a series of events aimed at further enhancing these ties.

Echoing this sentiment, Minister Phiphat shared his views on the enduring friendship between the two nations, noting that practical cooperation continues to deepen across numerous fields. He pointed out that the joint ice hockey match symbolizes the unique bond shared by Thailand and China and expressed hope for ongoing contributions to their friendly relations through sports and cultural exchanges, guided by the leaders of both countries.

As the match commenced, excitement reached new heights when Queen Suthida scored the first goal just three minutes into the first period, igniting cheers from the crowd. The game showcased a dynamic exchange of offense and defense, with both teams playing energetically. Queen Suthida’s impressive shots on goal kept the audience engaged throughout the match. In the end, the friendly encounter concluded in a thrilling 6-6 tie, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship and friendship.