Coach Aod Shares Spiritual Rituals Behind Women’s Volleyball Success

Following a meeting with the Prime Minister at Government House on September 3, 2026, national women’s volleyball coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, widely known as 'Coach Aod,' shared insights into the spiritual preparations that accompanied the team's recent performance at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship.

According to Khaosod Online, Coach Aod revealed that he carried sacred wooden prayer beads—sourced from Nepal and Thailand—throughout the tournament. During the final match, he was observed praying, specifically invoking the spirits of King Naresuan the Great and King Taksin the Great to guide the team toward success. Coach Aod emphasized the importance of fulfilling spiritual vows, noting that any team members who made promises to sacred entities must now return to fulfill them.

For residents and visitors in Thailand, this story highlights the deep integration of traditional spiritual practices within modern Thai sports culture. While the coach’s personal rituals are a matter of individual faith, they reflect a broader cultural emphasis on mindfulness and spiritual dedication often seen in Thai public life. It remains to be confirmed which specific temples or shrines the team members will visit to fulfill their vows, as these details are personal to the athletes. This report is based on statements provided by Coach Aod to the media and does not imply any official government endorsement of these specific spiritual practices.