Rescue personnel shared another perspective to dispel the drama about turning off the stadium lights to chase away “Teacher Sakon” and not helping him carry his belongings. They stated that Teacher Sakon also coordinated assistance with vehicles to take the “Monthong Wittaya Team” to compete in Minburi.
On 27 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported widespread social media criticism after photos emerged showing Teacher Sakon Kliangsrisert, former coach of the Monthong Wittaya school team, carrying bags and some belongings out of the stadium late at night on 26 February. The stadium lights were turned off and no athletes helped carry the items, sparking drama about the inappropriateness of the treatment toward the teacher. However, rescue personnel from Chachoengsao, who were at the scene, clarified that this was not true.
When asked, Mr. Chamnarn Chatwichean, deputy head of operations for the Chachoengsao rescue unit and one of the eyewitnesses, said that the previous night they were contacted by Teacher Sakon to help bring vehicles to move the last items out of the athletes’ training camp, including wardrobes, shelves, and miscellaneous belongings. The rescue team brought three pickup trucks to assist. The atmosphere was normal with no unusual incidents.
At that time, Teacher Sakon was still watching the children practice at his usual seat outside the dormitory, with Coach York supervising the training as usual. After practice, the coach called the athletes to line up to explain details about the upcoming competition and listed the names of the players traveling to compete. After the lineup ended, the stadium staff turned off the lights as usual. Teacher Sakon then carried some belongings and walked across the field to a vehicle parked on the opposite side of the stadium.
Regarding the issue of no one helping carry the items, Mr. Chamnarn said Teacher Sakon is modest and declined help even though rescue workers and athletes offered assistance, saying only, “There’s not much, just a little,” before getting into the vehicle and leaving.
Therefore, the rumors that the stadium lights were turned off to drive Teacher Sakon away or that no one helped him are false. Additionally, the athletes and the Chachoengsao rescue team helped push Teacher Sakon’s bus parked in front of the athletes’ camp because it wouldn’t start. They loaded it onto a flatbed truck, and Teacher Sakon temporarily left it in the Chachoengsao rescue unit’s parking area.
This vehicle belongs to Teacher Sakon. After leaving Surasakmontri School, he used this vehicle to transport the Monthong Wittaya school children to early competitions. However, due to the vehicle’s age, it later failed to start. He then purchased a six-wheeled truck called "Dream Carrier," selling his own vehicle to help the owner of that six-wheeler afford medical treatment. He later refurbished the truck for transporting students to competitions, eventually turning it into the "Dream Carrier."
This afternoon, Mr. Chamnarn received another request from Teacher Sakon to help take the Monthong Wittaya school football team to compete in Minburi district, Bangkok. Teacher Sakon continues to lead the students to competitions as usual. However, it is still unclear whether Teacher Sakon will return to coach the team for the final training session tomorrow, but for now, he continues to manage the team as usual.