Countdown to the major general election on Sunday, 8 Feb 2024 GMT+7.
It is said this election will determine Thailand's future—whether the country will change and move forward.
Or whether voters will mark the same old choices, trapping the nation in a cycle with veteran career politicians—the 'dinosaur' types.
These figures have governed for many terms without ever developing or changing their ideas.
They let everything stagnate, remaining stuck while other nations have progressed and moved on.
I hope that after this election, we will see new, brighter directions in Thai politics compared to the past.
In this election, as a sports media professional, I would like to see "sportspeople" take a role in shaping national policies in parliament.
In the final stretch of the campaign, I had the chance to interview two representatives from the sports world who are running to serve the public with good intentions.
First is "The Pok" or "Goal Pok," Warong Tiwtat, chairman of the Thai Futsal League and a young, dynamic football executive in Thailand.
Second is "Bang Mad" Samart Maluleem, president of the International Muaythai Sport Association and former manager of the Thai national football team for several periods.
Both have promoted sports-related policies as key points in their campaigns, which is quite interesting.
Starting with Samart Maluleem, deputy leader of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party and party-list candidate.
He offers tangible sports policies focusing on athlete welfare, assisting athletes who are ill or disabled.
By clearly allocating and managing budgets from the Sports Development Fund as welfare for Thai athletes.
This budget comes from a 2% tax on alcohol and tobacco products.
Therefore, the fund's use should focus on welfare for athletes who have sacrificed their bodies to bring honor to the country.
Especially supporting boxers under the Boxing Act of 1999, welfare for boxers or legal beneficiaries should be increased.
So they receive subsidies from the fund appropriate to the current higher cost of living.
Similarly, welfare for disabled athletes should be properly supported as well.
Additionally, "Bang Mad" wants to make Bangkok the world capital of Muay Thai, a Thai Boxing Hub.
This involves establishing a high-standard Muay Thai training center to serve youth and local people.
It will also accommodate youth, the public, tourists, and Muay Thai athletes from neighboring countries to train in Thailand.
Meanwhile, former registered Thai boxers with the Sports Authority of Thailand should receive medical treatment funding from the Sports Development Fund—1,000 recipients yearly, each getting 5,000 baht.
In cases of illness or injury from competition, the state must cover medical expenses.
Boxers should not fight alone; they battle in the ring while we support them outside it.
On the sports policies of the younger generation, Warong Tiwtat, New Opportunity Party’s party-list candidate,
proposes the Sport Economy model to build a sports industry that transforms the country.
He said, "I am not here to fix sports problems but to use 'sports' to develop the country and maximize benefits for all Thais."
Creating a "new industry" that Thailand can truly win and grow quickly. One of the fastest-growing industries worldwide is the sports industry (Sport Economy).
This does not only mean sports competitions but the entire economic system cycle.
For example, professional sports, youth sports, sports tourism, sports tech, sports content, apparel-equipment-innovation, sports medicine, performance labs, stadiums and events, sports games, VR, AR.
These industries are high-value, generating much higher added value than traditional manufacturing.
They transform provinces and localities into 'Sport Economy Hubs'.
This model can truly create good jobs and income in local areas.
For instance, sports data analysts, youth coaches, physiotherapists, event managers, content creators, marketing and sponsorship teams, merchandisers.
It attracts massive private investment with minimal government spending. A single sports event can draw sponsors, tourists, and content far more than other event types.
We must build a new industry where we create, innovate, and set our own value.
And one of the most important industries is the 'sports industry.'"
Sports are not just fun but a new economic system that creates quality jobs, high income, and spreads to every province.
This is a national development sports policy arising from genuine sportspeople, both old and new generations.
I take the liberty to present this here on 'Thairath Sport' for sports fans to consider.
Remember, "As we choose, so we get."
So this Sunday, before you enter the voting booth, choose the person you love and the party that fits.
Please consider carefully.
- Bee Bangpakong -