Thai badminton star Phichaon, world No. 18, provisionally suspended after positive doping test at Asian Games

Phichaon Opasnipath, the 19-year-old Thai women's badminton player known as the "Princess of Thailand," has been provisionally suspended from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after testing positive for a banned substance.

According to the International Testing Agency on Monday, the prohibited diuretic furosemide was detected in Phichaon's sample. The sample was collected in Nagoya on Thursday — two days before the Games' opening ceremony — as part of an out-of-competition test.

"The athlete has been notified and immediately provisionally suspended from competition until the matter is resolved in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Council of Asia Anti-Doping Rules," the ITA said.

The suspension bars Phichaon from all competition-related activities during the Games, including training and coaching.

Furosemide is classified as a "diuretic and masking agent" on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list and is banned both in and out of competition.

The ITA said furosemide can be used to rapidly reduce body weight by flushing water from the body. It can also be used to dilute the concentration of other banned substances in urine, making them harder to detect.

However, a doping violation has not been confirmed. The circumstances under which Phichaon ingested furosemide have not yet been established.

Under WADA rules, furosemide is classified as a "specified substance," meaning Phichaon may appeal the provisional suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-Doping Division. Thai media reported that the Badminton Association of Thailand is preparing to request analysis of the sample.

The Bangkok Post reported that the doping case has shaken the Thai delegation competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007, Phichaon took up badminton at age five under her father's guidance and rose to prominence by winning the women's singles title at the 2023 World Junior Championships in Spokane, Washington.

On the senior circuit, she finished runner-up at the Indonesia Masters in January, reached the final at the Orleans Masters and placed third at the Thailand Open. She is currently ranked 18th in the world in women's singles by the Badminton World Federation.

Phichaon is widely popular in Thailand for her striking looks and fluent English, earning her the nicknames "Pink" and "Princess of Thailand."