The Uttaradit Provincial Sports Association has set a national precedent by becoming the "first province" to adopt the National Sports Development Fund's policy. In collaboration with Krung Thai Bank, they have gone into the field to open bank accounts for athletes, supporting the direct transfer of training allowances straight to the athletes themselves.
On 26 March 2026, this initiative was part of the preparations for the 41st National Youth Games, known as the "Surat Thani Games," aiming to elevate the athlete support system to be transparent, efficient, and streamlined in a tangible way.
This policy is being promoted by Minister of Tourism and Sports Attakorn Sirilak, who has assigned the Sports Authority of Thailand and the National Sports Development Fund to implement direct payments to athletes, enhancing efficiency and accountability.
The Uttaradit Provincial Sports Association, together with Krung Thai Bank's Uttaradit branch, organized on-site account openings for provincial athlete representatives, enabling them to receive their allowances quickly and boosting their morale ahead of competitions.
The 41st National Youth Games, the "Surat Thani Games," will take place from 7–17 May 2026 in Surat Thani Province. This collaboration marks a significant step in modernizing Thailand's sports budget management system into the digital era.