Amara Wichithong (born April 1963) is a pioneering Thai windsurfer recognized as the countryâÂÂs first female competitive board sailor. Over a distinguished career spanning more than thirty years, she secured over 200 regional and international titles, helping to popularize windsurfing in Southeast Asia. Wichithong represented Thailand at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the womenâÂÂs Lechner A-390 event.
She founded a watersports school in Pattaya and has since been a committed advocate for marine conservation and environmental education, leading numerous community initiatives promoting sustainability.
She has been bestowed with the Royal Honorary Pin (Rak Tha-lay Ying Cheep) and the Sports Positive Award 2024 (Asia) for her extensive contribution to the protection, conservation, and restoration of marine and coastal natural resources in Thailand.
Amara Wichithong is one of ThailandâÂÂs most accomplished windsurfers, and a pioneer of the sport in Southeast Asia. She represented Thailand at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the womenâÂÂs Lechner A-390 windsurfing event.
Raised in Ayutthaya, Wichithong had a challenging early life and limited formal schooling. At age 13, she moved alone to Pattaya to support herself and found work by the sea. It was there that she discovered windsurfing and quickly developed an affinity for the sport. Within three months of learning, she entered and won her first local competition.
By age 17, Wichithong had won the international freestyle windsurfing title in Israel. Over the next two decades, she competed across Asia and Europe, winning more than 200 titles in freestyle, slalom, and course racing. She earned medals at multiple Southeast Asian Games and represented Thailand on numerous international stages.
Following her competitive career, she founded Amara Watersports, a watersports training center on Jomtien Beach, which offers windsurfing, wingfoiling, paddleboarding, and sailing instruction. Her school continues to mentor national-level athletes and hosts windsurfing events.
In addition to her contributions to sport, Wichithong is a committed environmental advocate. She leads beach cleanup campaigns, trains youth and women in ocean conservation, and organizes community workshops on plastic upcycling and sustainable tourism. Her initiatives include converting marine plastic waste into usable bricks for local construction and involving students in citizen science activities.
WichithongâÂÂs legacy as an athlete, entrepreneur, and environmentalist continues to inspire a new generation of Thai women to pursue excellence in sport and sustainability.
On July 4, 2022, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presented the Royal Honorary Pin Rak Tha-lay Ying Cheep to Ms. Amara Wichithong for her dedication to protecting and restoring marine and coastal resources, and for being a role model and inspiration in environmental protection. Her efforts include public education, outreach, and youth activities to cultivate awareness and foster marine conservation across Thailand.
She is also the winner of the Sports Positive Award 2024 (Asia) for her extensive contribution to combating ThailandâÂÂs plastic pollution crisis.