Before presenting today's Sport Insider column, I would like to wish all Thairath Sport fans a Happy New Year 2026.
May this year, the Year of the Fire Horse, be lively and excellent, a year of great prosperity. May all your hopes and intentions be fulfilled successfully.
Especially for those born in the Year of the Horse, many of whom are prominent national leaders.
Including “Nai Nu” Anutin Charnvirakul, the current Prime Minister, and former Prime Minister “Uncle Tu” General Prayut Chan-o-cha, both born in the Year of the Horse.
Likewise, the female leader of Thai football, known by all,
“Madame Pang” Nualphan Lamsam, president of the Football Association of Thailand, is also born in the Year of the Horse.
A feature in the women’s section of the last Thairath newspaper edition described her as...
“The Positive Power Horsewoman” is a vivid image of Madame Pang—another celebrity born in the Year of the Horse.
Besides being beautiful, charismatic, and energetic like typical people born in the Year of the Horse,
she also has strong leadership, works quickly, and has a relentless fighting spirit.
She truly deserves the nickname “The White Horse Lady of Thai Football.”
She is both the hope for rescuing Thai football’s crisis and the one who smoothly connects the world through football.
Although recently she has faced criticism and various dramas,
Madame Pang smiles through adversity and clearly states that no crisis is the end of the world.
With genuine determination, it can be overcome.
Importantly, she is a positive thinker who always sees the bright side.
No matter how tired or down she is, after crying she gets up again, believing life must go on.
Meanwhile, the Sports Journalists and Photographers Association of Thailand, led by “President Men” Paitoon Chutimakornkul,
has nicknamed the Football Association of Thailand under Madame Pang’s leadership as “The Backbone Association.”
Because in 2025, nothing seemed to favor the football association at all.
It was truly a year of drama for the Football Association.
From having to bear the burden of paying a 360 million baht copyright debt, leading to a financial crisis,
to issues with the national team coach, including dismissing Samurai coach Masatada Ishii,
and appointing English head coach Anthony Hudson as his replacement.
Ending with the disappointing performance at the SEA Games, which fell far short of expectations.
We surprisingly missed out on all four gold medals.
However, despite the lack of clear success on the field,
Madame Pang’s efforts to resolve every problem and improve the situation must be praised.
She has taken on the burden of debts she did not cause, issues with Thai League broadcasting rights,
and has worked hard to enhance on-field performance in every aspect.
Madame Pang has had to bear a heavy load in all matters concerning Thai football, which has been truly severe.
Though today, everything has yet to meet the goals,
we offer our support for Madame Pang to lead Thai football further this year.
I also had AI analyze the horoscope of the petite matriarch named Nualphan Lamsam,
born in the Year of the Fire Horse, 1966, with a Yang Fire element.
This year’s chart shows strong energy with opportunities for positive change,
if she applies mindfulness and adapts to the incoming fire energy.
She has strong financial and intellectual potential, as her Yang Fire element aligns with the current era.
This year highlights more stable work and fortunate finances.
But she should be cautious about health due to changing weather conditions.
In summary, the fate of the female leader of Thai football, born in the Year of the Horse, in this lively Fire Horse year,
is likely to improve compared to the past two years.
Combined with her genuine determination and refusal to give up in the face of obstacles,
I sincerely hope that the development of Thai football as a whole in 2026
will rise positively, fulfilling everyone's hopes at last!
- Bee Bangpakong -