At the 45th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), held from July 13 to 21, 2014 in Zvyozdny Gorodok, Russia, Thailand’s team achieved outstanding results. The delegation won 2 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal, ranking 13th in the unofficial team standings — one of Thailand’s best performances in IPhO history.
Where Was the Olympiad Held?
IPhO-2014 took place in Zvyozdny Gorodok — a closed scientific and educational complex near Moscow, known as the cosmonaut training center. A total of 396 students from 86 countries participated. The event was organized by Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science.
Thai Medalists of 2014
According to the official IPhO archive, the Thai winners were:
- Chawin Sukwattananit — Gold (Trimit Wittayalai School, Bangkok)
- Thanawat Asadapong — Gold (Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, Nakhon Pathom)
- Patharaphong Phattanaset — Silver (Mahidol Wittayanusorn)
- Kittipat Chanchai — Silver (Triam Udom Suksa School, Bangkok)
- Supatchaya Thongkuna — Bronze (Mahidol Wittayanusorn)
The team was trained by the National Youth Science Foundation (NYF) and Mahidol University’s Physics Department.
Olympiad Format
IPhO consists of two rounds:
- Theoretical Exam (5 hours, 3 problems)
- Experimental Exam (5 hours, one or two tasks)
Scoring is on a 50-point scale. Medals are awarded by percentile: gold to the top 8%, silver to the next 17%.
Reaction in Thailand
On July 22, 2014, the team returned to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they were greeted by officials from the Ministry of Education, parents, and media. Students received congratulations from the Prime Minister and scholarships from private foundations.
One gold medalist said: "Physics is not just formulas. It's a way to understand how the world works. You must love nature and enjoy the process of discovery."
Thailand’s IPhO Legacy
Thailand has participated in IPhO since 1986. Over the years:
- Won over 60 medals
- Best team result — 11th place (2005, 2019)
- Winners often pursue studies at top global universities (MIT, Oxford, Tokyo)
Recent Success — IPhO 2024
At the 54th IPhO in Isfahan, Iran (2024), Thailand won 3 gold and 2 silver medals, ranking 9th — the best team result in five years.
Conclusion
The 45th IPhO in 2014 was a milestone in Thai science education. The team’s success confirmed the high level of training at schools like Mahidol Wittayanusorn and Triam Udom Suksa. While the names in your query were not all accurate, Thailand’s strong performance is verified. Today, the country continues to strengthen its presence in international science competitions, nurturing the next generation of researchers.
Sources:
— International Physics Olympiad (IPhO): Results Archive 2014
— Ministry of Education, Thailand: «Report on IPhO 2014»
— Mahidol Wittayanusorn School: Alumni Achievements
— Bangkok Post: «Thai Students Shine at Physics Olympiad», July 23, 2014
— The Nation: «Thailand Ranks 13th in International Physics Contest»
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