KKU Ready to Welcome the World Pétanque Community! Press Conference Confirms Readiness to Host the "52nd World Pétanque Championship," with Athletes from 48 Countries Competing

KKU Ready to Welcome the World Pétanque Community! Press Conference Confirms Readiness to Host the “52nd World Pétanque Championship,” with Athletes from 48 Countries Competing

15 September 2026
16:52

Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with the Central Committee of Thai Pétanque Sports and the International Federation of Pétanque and Provençal Games (FIPJP), is preparing to host the 52nd World Pétanque Championship in the Men’s Triples category and the Precision Shooting event from 20 to 25 November 2026 on its campus. Bringing together athletes and officials from 48 countries, the event will connect sport, culture, tourism, and international friendship.

The university announced its hosting of the 52nd World Pétanque Championship, Men’s Team category, at a press conference on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 9.00 to 10.00 am in the Cherm Khwan Room, Baya Sita Hotel, Khon Kaen University. The conference declared the readiness of Thailand and Khon Kaen University to stage this major international pétanque tournament, which runs from 20 to 25 November 2026 on the university campus.

Presiding over the press conference were Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, PhD, Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization, Khon Kaen University, along with General Mangkorn Kosinthornsenee, Advisor to the National Olympic Committee of Thailand under Royal Patronage and Chairman of the Central Committee of Thai Pétanque Sports under the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, and Ms Supanart Lamlert, Executive Committee Member of the World Pétanque-Boules Federation (WPBF) and Executive Committee Member of the International Federation of Pétanque and Provençal Games (FIPJP), who jointly outlined the tournament’s readiness, significance, and standards.

The university has prepared on every front, including competition venues and facilities, accommodation, food and hospitality, medical and health services, international affairs and protocol, transportation and security, as well as public relations and support for athletes and officials, to ensure their convenience and safety throughout the tournament.

A further highlight is that the tournament coincides with Khon Kaen University’s ‘Srithan International Festival’, giving athletes and visitors from 48 countries the chance to experience world-class sporting competition alongside the arts, culture, Thai traditions, and the distinctive way of life of the Northeastern region.

Khon Kaen University has prepared readiness in every dimension, including competition venues and facilities, accommodation, food and hospitality, medical and health services, international affairs and protocol, transportation and security, as well as public relations and facilitation for athletes and officials, in order to ensure convenience and safety throughout the entire tournament period.

Another special feature of this tournament is that its timing coincides with Khon Kaen University’s “Srithan International Festival,” providing an opportunity for athletes and visitors from 48 countries to experience both world-class sporting competition alongside arts, culture, Thai traditions, and the unique way of life characteristic of the Northeastern region.

General Mangkorn Kosinthornsenee stated that hosting this competition is an honour for Thailand and an important opportunity for Thai pétanque to demonstrate its capability and standards in managing international competitions. At the same time, choosing Khon Kaen University and Khon Kaen Province as the venue brings world-class sport to the regions, giving the public, young people, athletes, and sports personnel in the Northeastern region the opportunity to experience an international competition at first hand.

Ms Supanart Lamlert stated that the World Championship is an important platform for the international pétanque community, and that the tournament must be conducted under the same rules and standards for courts and equipment, competition systems, officiating, and management, as well as logistics and support for athletes and officials from various countries. She confirmed that the International Federation of Pétanque and Provençal Games (FIPJP) is committed to working closely with the Thai side and Khon Kaen University, providing guidelines, requirements, and technical and logistical support to ensure the competition meets international standards.

The tournament is also significant for building international relations and developing pétanque worldwide, as it gives athletes, coaches, referees, and sports personnel from various countries the chance to exchange experiences and build networks. At the same time, Khon Kaen Province can showcase its capabilities in event management, hospitality, and culture, as well as the goodwill of its people, to the international community.

The 52nd World Pétanque Championship, Men’s Team category, is more than a sporting competition: it is a platform that connects sport, culture, tourism, and international relations, while presenting the potential and identity of Khon Kaen Province and Thailand to the global community.

Khon Kaen University invites the university community and the people of Khon Kaen Province to join together as gracious hosts in welcoming athletes, officials, and visitors from around the world this November, and to create lasting impressions and a shared sense of pride for Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, and the international pétanque community.