How football became a path to power in Thai politics

The deep links between Thai politics and football go back decades and stretch as far as the English Premier League, so it was no surprise to see them resurface this month as Thailand counts down to an election.

A provincial underdog's fairytale run to the 7HD Champions Cup 2025 final was pounced on by politicians eager to boost their popularity ahead of the vote.

Monthong Wittaya School from Chachoengsao province defied the odds to face Chainat PAO School, runners-up two years ago, in the championship match at Bangkok’s Suphachalasai National Stadium on November 8.

The unfancied Monthong reached their debut final of the annual seven-a-side schoolboy tournament, organised by TV Channel 7, after stunning former champions Debsirin School from Bangkok and Assumption College Sriracha.

The tournament has been dominated by teams from Bangkok and surrounding provinces since its launch in 2003.

This year’s final saw over 30,000 spectators pack the original national stadium to capacity, scenes not witnessed since the King’s Cup final between Thailand and South Korea 32 years ago.

Atmosphere at the 7HD School Sports football final on November 8,

2025.

Politicians’ involvement

Among them were thousands of fans from Chachoengsao and Chainat, who made the long journey thanks to free transport provided by powerful politicians in their provinces.

The Chaisang family, who have dominated Chachoengsao politics for decades, reportedly provided free rides for Monthong Wittaya supporters travelling from the province bordering eastern Bangkok.

Former education minister Chaturon Chaisang, a key figure in the Pheu Thai Party, was spotted among the Monthong fans during the historic football match.

Six-time Chachoengsao MP Itthi Sirilatthayakorn also reportedly organised free buses for Monthong supporters. The former deputy agriculture minister in Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government joined residents who couldn’t make it to the stadium at a live screening of the match in a local district office.

Itthi’s son, Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, had sponsored a local tournament in early October to prepare Monthong for the final against Chainat in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow donated 100,000 baht (US$3,100) from his foundation to Monthong, praising the team as an “inspiring example of perseverance, unity, and dedication”.

Observers noted that Atthakorn is seeking reelection in Chachoengsao under Thamanat’s Kla Tham Party in the upcoming national vote. His constituency includes Bang Nam Priao district, home to Monthong Wittaya School.

In Chainat, meanwhile, the Nakasai political dynasty is the driving force behind Chainat PAO School, which draws most of its players from a football academy run by the family.

The academy also serves as a breeding ground for young players of Chainat Hornbill Football Club, founded by veteran local MP Anucha Nakasai in 2009.

The team rose from a regional division to the Thai Premier League (now known as Thai League 1) three years later but was relegated to Thai League 2 in 2020.

Anucha now serves as the football club’s honorary chairman while his younger brother, Anurut, holds the post of chairman.

Anucha’s elder sister, Jitthana Yingthaweelapa, is Chainat PAO’s chief executive. She was credited with laying on transport to the match for supporters from the province in upper Central Thailand.

Both Anucha and Jitthana joined thousands of fans in the November 11 victory parade after Chainat won the final 2-1.

Football as a political tool

Aware that football is Thailand’s most popular sport, politicians realise that showcasing their support or sponsorship of teams enables them to target voters at the local and national level.

Many wealthy politicians have even founded and run football clubs in their provinces to boost the popularity of their political dynasties, parties or groups linked to them. When those teams become successful in competitions – whether at the local, national or international level – the politicians involved get credit.

Several major Thai football clubs were founded by prominent political figures, and many still rely on these families for sponsorship.

Although football clubs are no longer a profitable business in Thailand, they remain a favourite investment among provincial and national politicians, who see the sport’s popularity as a powerful tool to forge ties with their electorate.

The political benefits outweigh any immediate financial returns.

Buriram United – winner of multiple top-tier titles – is the most famous club linked to a political dynasty.

Newin Chidchob, former national powerbroker and founder of the ruling Bhumjaithai Party, launched the club in 2010 after declaring his exit from politics. He has served as its chairman ever since.

Other prominent politicians who have founded football clubs in their provinces include the late former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa, who created Suphanburi FC 27 years ago. Multi-term MP Chada Chaised, who served as deputy interior minister in the Srettha Thavisin government, founded Uthai Thani FC in 2010.

Several other provincial football clubs are financed by local political dynasties.

They include Chainat Hornbill, backed by the Nakasai family, Chonburi FC (Khunpluem and Singhtong families),

Chiang Rai United (Tiyapairat),

Suphanburi FC (Silpa-archa),

Ratchaburi FC (Nitikarnjana),

Phrae United (Suphasiri and Prasjaksattru),

Nakhon Ratchasima FC (Liptapanlop and Tomornsak),

Khon Kaen United (Changlao),

and Ayutthaya United (Pancharoenworakul family).

Looking beyond the border

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in power from 2001 to 2006, recognised football’s power to boost political popularity when he floated the idea of acquiring English Premier League clubs Liverpool and Fulham.

Critics described the moves as a publicity stunt designed to distract attention from his political problems at the time.

In 2003, the then-PM expressed an interest in buying Fulham FC, but failed to reach a deal with its owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed.

A year later, while suffering a decline in popularity amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power, Thaksin came up with a plan to purchase Liverpool FC. He also proposed buying the club with public funds drawn from a special state lottery.

Thaksin’s proposed purchase was ultimately blocked by British authorities, reportedly due to concerns over the source of funding and human rights violations during his government’s “war on drugs”.

However, the ex-premier finally achieved his dream of owning a Premier League club when he bought Manchester City in 2007 – a year after he was ousted in a military coup. He sold the club just a year later, when his assets were seized by the Thai government.