The Ice Hockey Association has produced a transfer slip for 720,000 baht to counter claims from the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), filing a complaint against the accusations while affirming that payments were made in full without any kickbacks and challenging verification of their claims.
This follows the case where Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), submitted documents to file criminal charges against the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand on three counts of fraud.
First, the association was accused of claiming rink rental fees of 720,000 baht per month, which allegedly exceeded the actual rental cost that should have been around 200,000 to 300,000 baht per month.
Second, the association was said to have paid national team athletes less in allowances than the amounts claimed from the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Third, there were allegations of improper payments for foreign coaches, including accommodations for coaches who were not actually hired, at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Phaholyothin Road, Bangkok, with Mr. Phumwisarn Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), observing.
The issue began when Mr. Chumphon Krusakdapong, also known as Mr. Patranat Yanakornthanaphan, owner of the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena (TIIHA), lodged a complaint about corruption in the association's operations, particularly regarding the monthly rink rental fee of 720,000 baht, which was said to be excessively high compared to the actual usage cost of about 200,000 to 300,000 baht. In fact, the rink agreed on a service rate of 13,000 baht per session, with practice sessions lasting between one to one and a half hours, averaging no more than six times weekly. The problem lay in the issuance of invoices and receipts for amounts far exceeding the actual usage.
On 24 March 2026 at SC Park Hotel, the legal advisor for the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand presented some evidence and documents, stating that payments were indeed made and receipts were genuine from the rink. The monthly amount of 720,000 baht was paid every month as invoiced. The accusation of fraud or embezzlement by the association is untrue because they have bank transfer records to the account of Pinpinat Yanakornthanaphan, director of The Theater of Dream Co., Ltd., matching the invoice amounts. Tax invoices are also available. If the PACC suspects forgery, they can submit the documents for forensic examination. Importantly, all payments were made before the SEA Games competition.
Regarding athlete allowances, the distribution was arranged so that all athletes benefited and were satisfied. All athletes signed documents as proof. The best witnesses are the athletes themselves. The association denies any deductions or kickbacks from athletes’ allowances.
Concerning foreign coaches, the association recruited a skilled Swiss coach, but he was contractually bound to his club and could not coach the Thai national team. To resolve this, the association used the allocated budget from the SAT to hire domestic coaches within the approved budget. Whether these hires were real can be verified by examining the bank transfer slips.
Therefore, the association confidently states that it has not committed fraud regarding all three charges. Their public statement today aims to clear their name and show the public another perspective—that they did not engage in corruption.
“Whether to file a counter-lawsuit is up to the president of the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand. Another point I want to clarify is that this case began with a complaint to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), but it was referred back to the PACC because the NACC considered it a minor issue. The PACC compiled the case and forwarded it to the public prosecutor, who will decide whether to file charges. If the evidence is insufficient, the case will end without prosecution; if charges proceed, it will be contested. The recent complaint to the Crime Suppression Division is a duplicate complaint; that police unit lacks jurisdiction. If they had authority, they should collect documents within 30 days and send them to the NACC. If the NACC finds it the same matter, the case ends and returns to the PACC. Regarding civil claims to recover funds, those must be pursued through civil court,” the association’s legal advisor said.