Thai football association to sue former management

The Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand) will seek approval from its board to sue the former management of the association, led by Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, for alleged mismanagement which caused substantial financial damage.

The association’s incumbent president, Nualphan Lamsam, told a press conference on Tuesday that she has inherited 132 million baht in debt, 360 million baht in compensation due to Siam Sports Syndicate as ordered by the Supreme Court, and 27 million baht in cash.

Additionally, she claimed that General Somyot, former commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, had borrowed about 155 million baht from FIFA for the development of FA Thailand’s activities, a financial burden that the association will have to shoulder until 2030, past the end of her term at the FA Thailand.

Nualphan went on to say that General Somyot, while serving as FA Thailand president and chairman of the Thai League, received about one million baht in monthly salary, adding that previous FAT presidents had declined the payment because the job is voluntary.

General Somyot claims that he has already returned all the salary paid, totalling 32 million baht, to the association, said Nualphan, adding that, when she has ordered accountants to check the association’s books, they found no evidence that the money was refunded.

Furthermore, General Somyot had extended a contract with the Plan B Company, to manage the interests of FA Thailand, until 2028, said Nualphan, adding that she had already spoken with Plan B’s management and expects to have no problem working with the firm.

Regarding the 360 million baht in compensation, the FA Thailand president said she will approach the management of Siam Sports Syndicate for talks, hoping that the case could be settled amicably.

She said that she holds no personal grudge against anyone, but wants to protect the interests of the association and the country.