Thailand took a massive leap on Monday, scooping a host of gold medals at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines.
At press time on Monday night, Thailand were second overall with 84 gold medals ahead of third-ranked Vietnam (79).
With two days to go, the Philippines are running away with the overall title having won 136 gold medals.
Thailand aim to take home 121 golds but now will be happy to break the 100-title mark.
In Monday's action, Thailand were successful in taekwondo, athletics, boxing, women's volleyball and eSports among other disciplines.
Panipak strikes gold
The Thai taekwondo team took home four gold medals.
Taekwondo star Panipak Wongpattanakit poses with her gold medal.
Panipak Wongpattanakit defeated Rheza Aragon 35-2 of the Philippines in the women's 49kg final.
Julanan Khantikulanon had a light workout in the women's 46kg showdown, beating Timor Leste's Ana da Costa 23-0.
In the men's 58kg final, Ramnarong Sawekwiharee defeated Ng Ming Wei of Singapore 27-14.
In the men's 63kg gold medal match, Nareupong Thepsen edged Malaysia's Rakib Ahmad Nor 24-22.
It was also a sad day for Panipak whose grandmother passed away before she competed in the semi-finals.
The Surat Thani native, who claimed bronze at the 2016 Olympics, is now looking forward to winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Fast sprinters
The Thai sprinters swept both gold medals in the men's and women's 4x100m relay events.
Onuma Chattha, Kwanrutai, Pakdee, Tassaporn Wannakit and Supawan Thipat took gold in the women's competition.
They clocked 44.38sec to beat the Philippines (44.57) and Vietnam (45.71).
In the men's event, Ruttanapon Sowan, Bandit Chuangchai, Jirapong Meenapra and Siripol Punpa won in a time of 39.27sec.
Indonesia (39.78) came in second and Malaysia (40.04) third.
Kieran Tuntivate claimed his second gold medal with a win in the men's 5,000m.
The American-Thai crossed the finish line in 14:31.15m.
Vietnam's Nguyen Van Lai was second in 14:32.42 and the Philippines' Sonny Wagdos third in 14:34.73.
Relatively unknown in Thailand before the tournament, Kieran is one of the most successful Thai athletes at Philippines 2019, having already won the 10,000m title.
Subenrat Insaeng was the women's discus throw winner and Wanida Boonwan was crowned champion in the women's high jump.
Pugilists meet target
The Thai boxing team met their target by winning five gold medals.
The winners in yesterday's finals were Chatchai-decha Butdee (men's 56kg), Wuttichai Masuk (men's 69kg), Anavat Thongkrathok (men's 81kg), Sudaporn Seesondee (women's 60kg) and Nilawan Techasuep (women's 54kg).
With seven fighters in the finals, only Ammarit Yaodam (men's 52kg) and Khunatip Pidnuch (men's 60kg) lost in their gold medal matches.
In all, Thailand won five gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
However, the Philippines did better with seven gold medals.
Dominance continues
The Thai women's volleyball team were again in a class of their own.
Led by veteran Pleumjit Thinkaow, the Thais comfortably defeated Vietnam 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 to win their 12th successive title and 14th overall.
The Thai spikers will next play at Asia's Olympic qualifying round in Nakhon Ratchasima from Jan 7-12.
With only one ticket up for grabs, Thailand are favourites to win the tournament and book a ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Games.
First-time champion
Cyclist Komet Sukprasert won the men's BMX time trial in 32.038sec, ahead of Indonesia's Toni Syarifudin (32.560) and Sittichok Kaewsrikhao (32.601), the other Thai in the event.
"It's great to win a gold medal in my SEA Games debut. This is a New Year gift for the Thai and Suphan Buri people," Suphan Buri native Komet said.
Thailand have won five gold medals in cycling and are crowned overall champions of the sport with one event remaining.
eSports joy
eSports is making its SEA Games debut and Thailand took the mixed title for battle game Arena of Valor after beating Indonesia 3-0 in the final at Manila's San Juan Arena.
Malaysia won the first ever gold with a 3-1 win over Thailand in the final of in the mixed Hearthstone -- a popular online card game.
In the Dota 2 mixed final, Thailand were playing the Philippines on Monday night.
Other Thai winners included the women's sepak takraw regu players, windsurfer Cholchaya Junthonglang and jujitsu fighter Banpot Lertthaisong.
