Bangkok: The Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office has explained the decision to reconsider the plan to purchase broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup. The decision was influenced by the high price and the challenge of justifying the expenditure to the public. If deemed unfair, the funds should be allocated for other purposes.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, addressed rumors about the government's potential withdrawal from acquiring the 2026 World Cup broadcasting rights. She stated that the Public Relations Department had engaged in discussions with various stakeholders, including the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), as directed by the government. The discussions revealed changing circumstances due to the Middle East conflict, altered broadcast times, and potentially limited opportunities for merchandise and advertising sales during the tournament.
The exact fee for the broadcasting rights, as proposed by the International Federation of Football (FIFA), remains undisclosed. However, Ms. Isarabhakdi highlighted that the proposed fee is substantial. The difficulty in justifying this expense to the public is compounded by Thailand's population size of nearly 70 million, which is significantly smaller than other countries with populations of 1.5 billion, yet with lower broadcasting rights fees. On a per capita basis, the price discrepancy is approximately 10-20 times. Given Thailand's current economic challenges and the lack of private sector sponsorship seen in previous tournaments, Ms. Isarabhakdi intends to present these findings to the Cabinet for further deliberation.
The government is exploring alternative options with FIFA, including paid viewing or limited broadcast segments of 5-10 minutes. Although details remain unclear, there is still an opportunity for private companies to see a business prospect, provided the cost is reasonable and justifiable to the public.
Ms. Suphamas clarified that while the government is committed to supporting the World Cup for its positive impact on youth, the current investment may not be prudent. She emphasized that the decision should be based on individual assessments and encouraged the public to await the outcome of the Cabinet meeting, with another press conference anticipated soon.