Thai media “National Thailand” reported on the 25th (Korea Standard Time) that “Thai Prime Minister Theta Taishin will give 9 million baht (about 331.47 million won) to the national team if the Thai men’s soccer team catches South Korea in the World Cup qualifying round.” Thailand will play the fourth match of Group C of the second Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Korea at 9:30 p.m. on the 26th.
Thailand held the second place (four points) in the group by drawing 1-1 in the third round of the second preliminary round against Korea (seven points), which is ranked first in Group C on the 21st. In the away match against Korea, Son Heung-min scored the first goal in the 42nd minute of the first half, but Sufanat Muehanta scored the equalizer in the 16th minute of the second half, securing one valuable point. Thailand is one step closer to the final preliminary round as there was a prediction that the team that takes as many points as possible to Korea in Group C will advance to the final preliminary round.
The Thai government is aiming for victory this time. The local soccer community was full of enthusiasm. The Rajamangala Stadium, which will play against Korea, sold out 48,900 seats early on. The ticket price soared almost 10 times the normal price, and the Thai Football Association put up a large screen outside the Rajamangala Stadium to create an environment in which local fans could cheer enthusiastically inside and outside the stadium.
Even the Thai prime minister came forward to win the match. Prime Minister Thawishin promised 9 million baht for victory and 3 million baht for draw. To be exact, he pledged 3 million baht per point on his social media.
Prime Minister Thawishin was appointed as Thailand’s prime minister in 2023 as co-founder of “Sansiri,” Thailand’s largest real estate company. He is a former real estate tycoon who can spend lavishly, and he is so sincere about the game that he said, “My favorite sport is soccer, and I will cheer with you at Rajamangala Stadium.”
Prior to this, Thai Football Association President Madame Fang Nuanfan Ramsam also boosted the team’s motivation with his high winning allowance. As the CEO of Thai insurance company Muang Thai, Ramsam is a wealthy person who has also reached out to luxury goods businesses. The Thai team will receive 4 million baht (about 14.36 million won) for the victory and 1 million baht (about 36.84 million won) for the draw.
Thailand’s national team, which already earned 1 million baht with a draw in the third leg with South Korea, was able to expect a higher win allowance with Thai Prime Minister Thawishin’s support shot, and was fully motivated to win the returning match against South Korea.
BY: 안전놀이터