NAGOYA, Japan — 22 September 2026, Thai women’s singles badminton player Pitchamon “Pink” Opatniputh has been provisionally suspended after the International Testing Agency (ITA) reported an adverse analytical finding for furosemide, a substance prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
The suspension means Pitchamon cannot compete at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan while the provisional measure remains in effect.
The ITA, which is conducting anti-doping activities on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), said Pitchamon’s sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in Nagoya on 17 September. Laboratory analysis returned a positive result for furosemide.
Furosemide is listed under WADA’s S5 category, Diuretics and Masking Agents, and is prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition.
Following notification of the result, Pitchamon was placed under a provisional suspension with immediate effect. During the suspension, she is barred from competing, training, coaching or participating in activities at the 2026 Asian Games.
However, the case remains under review and the provisional suspension does not constitute a final finding or sanction.
Pitchamon has the right to challenge the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD). She can also request analysis of her B-sample in accordance with the applicable procedures.
The ITA said it would not comment further while the case remains ongoing.
Thailand’s Sports and Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said badminton player Pitchamon “Pink” Opas-iamkha traveled to Japan with the national badminton team on 16 September and underwent an anti-doping test before the International Testing Agency (ITA) reported an adverse analytical finding.
Surasak said Pitchamon will now have to await the result of her B-sample analysis. The relevant authorities will also need to issue statements on the case, with the procedures expected to be completed during the 20th Asian Games, which will close on 4 October.
The Thai women’s badminton team, which has no remaining individual events scheduled, is due to return to Thailand on 25 September.
The minister said the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) already requires participating countries to educate athletes about prohibited substances before the Games.
He said he was confident that Thai athletes had taken precautions regarding banned substances, but the latest case would prompt officials to reinforce guidance on food and medication to help prevent similar incidents during the current Asian Games and in the future.
Reports have said that if the B-sample also returns an adverse result, Pitchamon could face a ban of up to two years. Any final sanction, however, would depend on the applicable anti-doping rules and the outcome of the case.