Bangkok: Senator Chamlong has voiced his concerns about the impending drastic cuts to the 2027 sports budget, advising "Governor Tu," the newly appointed head of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), to leverage her expertise in overcoming the financial impasse by collaborating with various stakeholders.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Jamlong Anantasuk, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Sports, recently chaired a meeting to prepare for an upcoming seminar titled 'Thailand Football: Building a New Foundation under the Ministry of Sports for a Sustainable Future.' The seminar aims to drive and reform Thai football and is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Aswin Grand Convention Hotel.
Mr. Chamlong emphasized that the Senate Committee on Tourism and Sports is poised to discuss the future direction of the Football Association of Thailand. However, he highlighted that the principal issue at the national level is funding. The budget from the National Sports Development Fund has seen significant cuts, affecting various sports associations that now lack sufficient resources to support athletes in international competitions like the SEA Games in Malaysia, the Asian Games, and the Olympics.
As part of the ad hoc committee reviewing the draft budget for the fiscal year 2027, Mr. Chamlong expressed his deep concern over the budgetary crisis impacting the "Excellence in Sports" initiative, which is supposed to fund various sports associations. The budget for excellence in sports has been slashed to 1.3 billion baht, with only about 900 million baht expected to reach the associations, leading to severe financial constraints.
Senator Chamlong suggested that the new SAT Governor should focus on revenue generation and actively seek private sector support to bolster Thai sports. He also stressed the importance of establishing a solid foundation for sports among Thai youth to keep them away from drugs and suggested integrating efforts with local administrative bodies to develop accessible sports facilities and stadiums.
In addition, Senator Chamlong congratulated "Tua Proadpran" on her historic appointment as the first female governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), noting the high expectations placed on her due to her extensive experience and strong connections in the sports world. He expressed confidence in her ability to coordinate effectively with various organizations and lead Thai sports towards a brighter future.