No more delays of several months in paying allowances! The Fund Board has approved direct payments to athletes, bypassing sports associations.
On 3 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Attakorn Sirilakthayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, chaired the 4/2569 meeting of the National Sports Development Fund Executive Board at the Strategy and Planning Division meeting room, 9th floor, Building C, Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, and via videoconference.
Attending were Ms. Wanida Phansaard, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand; Maj. Gen. Intrat Yodbangtoey, representative of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand; Mr. Anan Phueakpiboon, representative of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand; Mr. Santi Lothong, Fund Executive Board member representing sports associations of Thailand; Mr. Montri Hanjai, Fund Executive Board member representing provincial sports associations; Gen. Dr. Suphmonas Pharapob, Fund Executive Board member and expert in economics and finance; and Mr. Thanukiat Chanchum, Manager of the National Sports Development Fund.
The meeting approved procedures and direct payment disbursement to athletes’ bank accounts (Direct Payment) to resolve delays and improve transparency. This system will transfer funds to athletes’ accounts at the end of each month, reducing redundant steps so athletes receive full payment and can properly manage nutrition, accommodation, and physical care expenses.
The Board carefully considered all parties’ concerns and feedback. The operational procedures and responsibilities are outlined in the attached flowchart.
The pilot project will begin with two events: the Asian Beach Games, with an allowance rate capped at 600 baht per person per day, and the 41st National Youth Games “Surat Thani Games,” with a cap of 250 baht per person per day. The Fund will monitor and evaluate results to propose a standard guideline to the Fund Executive Board in the future.
Additionally, the meeting approved a total budget of 423,604,792 baht for the fiscal year 2026 to prepare Thai athletes for the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games in Japan.
This budget is allocated to support the development system for athletes to reach national and international excellence.
Of this, 392,456,467 baht is for preparing the Asian Games team, including training camps, with 271,140,670 baht approved within a 226,860,691 baht limit and 44,279,979 baht reallocated from leftover funds within the plan. The Asian Para Games received a budget approval of 108,931,045 baht within the set limits.
The meeting also allocated budgets for sending athletes to competitions: 9,157,132 baht for able-bodied athletes and 3,227,620 baht for athletes with disabilities. They approved a 31,148,325 baht project to apply sports science, innovation, and technology to develop athlete potential under the National Sports Science Service project. This will be submitted to the Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, for budget adjustment approval.
Simultaneously, the Board approved prize money support totaling 6,075,000 baht for two weightlifting athletes from the 2025 IWF World Championships by the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand, to encourage and motivate further international development.
Furthermore, the meeting approved prize money support for international competitions under established criteria for three associations covering four events, totaling 11,873,750 baht:
The Korfball Association of Thailand received 490,000 baht.
The Ju-Jitsu Association of Thailand received 7,743,750 baht.
The Rugby Football Union of Thailand under Royal Patronage received 3,640,000 baht.