Madam Pang vs Pol Gen Somyot: The battle to save Thai football

When Nualphan Lamsam took over as president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) in February 2024, she inherited not just the nation’s soccer helm but also a staggering financial crisis left by her predecessor, Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung.

The FAT had racked up liabilities of 132.6 million baht with only 27.7 million baht in the bank, leaving the woman dubbed Madam Pang with a deficit of 105 million baht. However, this was only the tip of the iceberg.

Handed debt bomb

An even bigger crisis exploded earlier his month when the Supreme Court ordered the FAT to pay 360 million baht plus interest to Siam Sport over a terminated contract.

The total financial burden has since soared to 665 million baht – a debt Nualphan did not create but must now resolve.

Marking her first year in office earlier this month, she launched a public fundraising campaign, Thai People Love Thai Football (#คนไทยรักบอลไทย), to rescue the association from financial ruin.

She assured full transparency in the campaign, but the move also reignited scrutiny of FAT financial dealings during previous administrations, particularly under Somyot’s leadership from 2016 to 2022.

Somyot responded with a letter denying claims he had taken a monthly salary of one million baht from FAT, which was allegedly returned as a donation.

He called the accusations misleading and damaging to his reputation, implying that Nualphan’s administration was shifting the blame for the financial turmoil onto him.

His defence set the stage for an escalating dispute, one that could shake the foundations of Thai football’s governing body.

On his last day as FAT president, Somyot remarked that he envied his successor – suggesting they were taking over a stable and healthy organisation.

Instead, when Nualphan unlocked the office door, she discovered a mountain of debt. With lawsuits against the FAT settled and no legal avenues left, the challenge is no longer about winning court battles but about finding solutions.

Nualphan has emphasised that failure to secure the necessary funds could lead to the seizure of FAT assets, including its headquarters.

Should the 110-year-old association collapse under her tenure, the consequences for her reputation would be severe.

Tears and determination

The pressure became evident last week when she burst into tears during a press conference, expressing frustration at inheriting a crisis not of her own making.

Despite the immense challenges, her first year in charge has been marked by notable successes, including guiding the national team back into FIFA’s top 100 rankings and successfully hosting the FIFA Congress.

However, issues such as scheduling problems in the Thai League have drawn criticism, proving that the FAT’s troubles extend beyond its finances.

Nualphan is now preparing to sue Somyot and his former leadership team, arguing that their unilateral termination of the Siam Sport contract was financially reckless and directly responsible for the current crisis.

Citing commercial law, she insists the association has the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the damage.

If she wins the case, it could open a Pandora’s box of financial audits and accountability claims, potentially reshaping the leadership of Thai football.

Plea for public support

Beyond the court battle, Nualphan has launched a nationwide campaign to rally financial support, selling themed merchandise, seeking public donations, and organizing fundraising events such as charity football matches.

She insists on transparency, vowing that every baht raised will be publicly accounted for. Her hope is that Thai football’s deep-rooted fan culture will translate into the financial backing needed for the association to survive this crisis.

However, a darker shadow looms over the controversy. An internal audit uncovered irregular transactions during Somyot’s administration, raising further questions.

Suspicious legal fees of 30 million baht – 100 times the agreed amount – were paid to lawyers just before Somyot’s departure.

Additionally, the FAT took a $5-million loan from FIFA under Somyot’s watch, but there is no clear record of how the money was spent.

Also unaccounted is money from the sale of Thai football’s data rights to a Malaysian company. Even Somyot’s claim that he donated 32 million baht from his salary has yet to be substantiated by financial records.

Nualphan’s public announcement was not just a plea for support but also a declaration of intent: she is determined to recover the FAT losses, even if it means going to court.

Somyot, on the other hand, has shown no signs of backing down. If the case goes ahead, it could trigger a thorough investigation of FAT financial records, forcing both sides to reveal further details.

The power struggle is far from over, and Thai football’s governing body could see dramatic shifts in the coming months.

For now, the FAT’s future hangs in the balance.

Will Nualphan’s campaign save the association, or will the financial burden prove too heavy, leading to its collapse?

Can Somyot defend his legacy, or will deeper investigations expose mismanagement that could permanently tarnish his reputation?

One thing is certain – Thai football is fighting not just for survival, but for its credibility and trust, both among its supporters and within the global sporting community.