Madam Pang secures major broadcast deal to cover $10M debt for Thai football

The agreement was signed with three major corporations: Gulf Energy, AIS, and JAS, which lasts four year starting from the 2025–2026 season and is worth 2 billion baht ($61.22 million). It includes exclusive domestic broadcast rights for Thai League 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Thai FA Cup, League Cup, U21 competitions and women’s leagues.

The contract also includes an option to extend for an additional two years if performance benchmarks are met, Thai newspaper The Standard reported.

Madam Pang, President of the Football Association of Thailand. Photo by Facebook/Madam Pang

This deal comes on the heels of a major legal setback for FAT. Earlier this year, Thailand’s Supreme Court ordered FAT to pay 360 million baht in compensation to Siam Sport, a former media partner. The dispute stemmed from a 2011 contract that was unilaterally terminated in 2016 under then-president Somyot Poompanmoung, resulting in nearly a decade-long legal battle that ended in Siam Sport’s favor in 2024, according to Thai News Agency.

Following the court's ruling, Madam Pang acknowledged FAT’s responsibility and moved swiftly to resolve the financial crisis. Her leadership has been widely praised, with Thai media giving her credit for turning a legal and financial disaster into an opportunity for revival for the nation’s football scene.

The new deal not only eliminates FAT’s debt burden but also signals a strong financial future for Thai football, since this $10.4 million debt, if delayed and resolved slowly, would generate huge interests as time goes by.

Despite this major deal, FAT still holds additional unexploited value in the television rights of various Thailand national teams, suggesting huge potential of more financial benefit in the future for Thai football.