Thailand Crowned U18 Division III Group B World Champions After Dramatic Overtime Win Over
Team captain Chayaphon “Captain Jade” Charaskorn emerged as the hero, scoring the golden goal in the final minute of overtime to seal the championship for Thailand. The victory also secured Thailand’s promotion to Division III Group A for next year’s tournament. In addition to the team triumph, several Thai players earned individual honors. Theethatchthan Luang-on was named Best Forward of the Tournament, while Kingston Jee Jun Pan, Thailand’s standout goaltender, received the Best Goaltender Award.
The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship was held in Bosnia and featured six competing nations: Thailand, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkmenistan, Iceland, Luxembourg, and South Africa. The teams were divided into two groups of three: Group A: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, South Africa Group B: Thailand, Turkmenistan, Luxembourg
The competition format differed from traditional group play. In the preliminary round, teams faced opponents from the opposite group, with points accumulated to determine group rankings. The top two teams from each group advanced to the second round to compete for a place in the final, while the third-placed teams played classification matches for fifth place.
Thailand delivered an outstanding performance in the preliminary round, defeating all three Group A teams: Defeated host Bosnia and Herzegovina 12–3 Beat South Africa 4–2 Overcame Iceland 4–2 These results secured Thailand first place in Group B. In the second round, Thailand dominated Turkmenistan (Group A runner-up) with a commanding 14–0 victory, advancing to the final against Iceland, who had defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 8–2.
Despite Thailand’s earlier win over Iceland in the preliminary round, the final proved to be a tightly contested battle. Iceland struck first, taking a 1–0 lead in the 3rd minute, before Thailand equalized late in the first period through Chayaphon Charaskorn. In the second period, Iceland regained the lead at 2–1
However, Thailand responded early in the third period when Theethatchthan Luang-on scored to make it 2–2 just two minutes in. The momentum continued as Chayaphon Charaskorn netted his second goal of the game in the 47th minute to give Thailand a 3–2 advantage. Iceland equalized again to force a 3–3 draw, sending the match into a five-minute overtime period. Thailand dominated possession in overtime, and in the final minute, Chayaphon Charaskorn intercepted the puck, broke away one-on-one, and scored the decisive goal, securing a dramatic 4–3 victory and the world championship title.
Thailand U18 World Championship Squad – Division III Group B Champions Panwath Sri Prachitchai, Anakin Wasitthanon, Kingston Jee Jun Pan, Theethatchthan Luang-on, Theethathon Luang-on, Thitthawin Phiriyaphinyo, Wiphatphong Sri Prachitchai, Kiatrach Phawatjirachoti, Woraprachya Watthanaphraya, Thamthon Jungruangkit, Theerthawatch Phattramasakul, Chayaphon Charaskorn, Thanadon Sakchaicharoenkul, Siradanai Siripronananon, Pun Jarusakulareekul, Paphangkon Nakdee, Thanaprasert Sinsirithrap, Thaphat Mongkolratchanath, Theeranont Ajhan, Head of Delegation: M.L. Kritsada Kasemsan, President of the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand Head Coach: Thewin “Coach Tor” Chatisuwan
