Today, Saturday, 21 Mar 2026 GMT+7
is the birthday of the petite yet strong female president of the Thai Football Association.
“Madam Pang” Nuannaphan Lamsam
who turns 60 years old, completing five Chinese zodiac cycles, marking a major traditional merit-making ceremony in her life.
This year also marks 20 full years since “President Pang” entered the Thai football scene.
She began as the manager of the Thailand women's national football team, leading the "Chaba Kaew" to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup twice consecutively.
She is also the president of Port FC, elevating the team to become one of the Thai league’s top four clubs.
She managed the senior Thailand men’s national football team, winning the ASEAN Football Championship two times in a row.
Before advancing to the highest position as president of the Football Association of Thailand today.
She has served with dedication for two full years so far.
With another two years remaining, she faces a heavy workload ahead that she must overcome.
During her tenure as head of Thai football, Madam Pang has tackled many crises under difficult circumstances.
Yet she has successfully overcome them with impressive results worthy of praise.
This includes the problem of Thai League broadcast rights, which initially seemed to reach a dead end.
But in the end, “President Pang” used negotiations combined with her personal connections.
She brought in three major private sector giants as partners, sealing a deal for live broadcasts of Thai League matches that deserved loud applause.
She also secured continuous sponsorship support for all three levels of the Thai League.
This allowed professional football in Thailand to progress smoothly without interruption.
The youth leagues started with the U23 league in the first year, then adjusted to U21 in the latest season for better suitability.
Along with reviving the youth football championship in Thailand, the “Coke Cup,” which was once prestigious in the past,
bringing it back for competition again this year.
Signing MOUs for football development with foreign countries is something “President Pang” highly prioritizes.
She signed agreements with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Qatar Football Association.
These allow various Thai national teams to train and play friendly matches abroad fully supported at no cost.
She also settled debts owed to Siam Sport, carried over from the previous board led by “Big Odd” Police General Dr. Somyot Poompanmoung.
It was remarkable that “Madam Pang” raised a large sum to clear the debt completely within just one year, finishing last month.
At the same time, there are many other matters that Nuannaphan Lamsam must accomplish concretely.
During her current administration.
Especially the performances of all Thai national teams, men’s and women’s, from youth to senior levels.
Including futsal and beach soccer teams under the care of the Football Association of Thailand.
I have often said that the national teams’ results are like the showcase products.
If the Thai national teams perform excellently and visibly well,
the image of the Football Association’s work will also shine positively.
This immediately enhances the president’s prestige and aura.
Therefore, on the occasion of “President Pang’s” 60th birthday this year,
the best birthday gift she could ask for
is for the senior Thailand team to defeat the Turkish players at the end of the coming month.
So everyone can loudly and clearly shout Happy Birthday!!!
- Bee Bangpakong -