Sopita Tanasan

Women’s Olympic weightlifters

Yet again, our Olympic weightlifting team absolutely dominated the games in Rio de Janeiro this year, sweeping up four medals between Sopita Tanasan (women's 48kg) and Sukanya Srisurat (women's 58). Since 2004, women's weightlifting has been one of Thailand's most successful Olympic sports and it seems to only get better as time goes on. 

Credit: Thepaperless.co

Kroeksit Palamart (Palang Piangpiroon)

Author Palang became this year's SEA Write Award winner among 88 other competitors after his rap poem "Nakorn Kon Nok" (The Outsider) was praised for its unique reflection of contemporary society. The poem broke conventions by using hashtags, rap rhythms and words to form shapes of social media logos in a poem that explores topics like war and obsession with power. 

Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band

The hipster molam band took the world by storm this year when they went on an extensive 19-date tour around Europe and even landed a gig at Glastonbury Festival. Lead by ringleader Maft Sai, the band also performed live on the famous Boiler Room music streaming channel, proving to everyone that molam also has a much deserved spot in the international world of music. Their second studio album, dubbed Planet Lam, is on sale now and definitely worth a listen.  

Milk Pailin

The petite cocktail superstar won the Southeast Asian round of Diageo’s much-hyped World Class awards in Bali. Back in Bangkok, she’s also had a hand in two of the city’s most exciting cocktail menus of the year. At steak restaurant Il Fumo, she created a menu all about booze-forward old-school classics—think lots of rye whiskey, cognac and bitters, not so much fruit. Meanwhile at Vesper, her new Art Book menu is one of the most creative in town, charting 14 boozy creations each inspired by a famous work of art. 

Credit: Thai PBS

Toon Bodyslam

The popular rock band's lead singer took time away from music this year and challenged himself to run 400km from Bangkok to Bang Saphan in only 10 days.  As eyes all around the country watched him run, Toon collected donations along the way that would contribute to providing hospitals around the country with better facilities and equipment. On Dec 10, the singer finally reached his finish line—raising a total of more than B70 million for charity. 

Ratchanok Intanon (May)

Back in April, the badminton player often referred to as "Nong May" became the world's No. 1 singles female badminton player, after she became the first person ever to win three superseries competitions in three consecutive weeks. Despite controversy about potential doping prior to the Olympics, she was eventually cleared and was chosen to be Thailand's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

Sappasit Foongfaungchaven and Pattaraphurit Rungjaturapat of AP Thailand

AP Thailand

Back in November, the property development company landed itself a spot in Time magazine's "25 Best Inventions of 2016" thanks to a series of unusual "L" and "Z" shaped football pitches that they squeezed into a chaotic slum area of Khlong Toei district. Praised as an innovative solution to urban space limitations, the project has improved the livelihoods of the local community while proving that there are no boundaries to space and design.

Credit: thairath.co.th

Motorbike and taxi drivers at Sanam Luang

Since Oct 13, the day that Thailand lost our beloved monarch, social media has been filled with thankful posts dedicated to the kind motorbike and taxi drivers that offer free rides to and from the Sanam Luang area. Many have praised these drivers, who don't earn very much to begin with, for their goodwill in offering free rides in a time when everyone is trying to get to the same place. Even when being offered money, none would take it. And the generosity wasn't just limited to Sanam Luang, either, with many reports of motorcycle taxis declining payment across the city.  

Credit: fb.com/volunteersfordad

In fact, all the volunteers at Sanam Luang

Speaking of generosity during the mourning period, Thais have offered up their time to volunteer at Sanam Luang in countless ways. Now, two months later, there are still no signs of things slowing down. Whether it's the people giving out free, delicious food all day long, picking up trash around the palace, offering medical services or handing out water, mosquito repellent, fans, umbrellas and more, it's hard to remember a time that truly exemplifies the kindness and unity of Thai people more than now.