Auychai Srisuwan, manager of the Thai national sepak takraw team, confirmed that it was not a WALK OUT but a WALK OVER.
On 27 May 2026, a controversy erupted during the 2026 sepak takraw world championship final in Malaysia between Thailand and Malaysia when the score was tied at 1-1.
In the third set, with Thailand leading 14-13, Singaporean referee Muhammad Radi awarded a point to Malaysia after Thailand struck the ball down, ruling that Thailand had stepped on the line, tying the score at 14-14.
Recently, Boonchai Lophipitak, acting president of the International Sepak Takraw Federation, clarified that Thailand was at fault for walking out or refusing to continue playing. The correct procedure is to file a protest with the referee within 30 minutes after the match ends, as is standard practice in competitions.
Meanwhile, Auychai Srisuwan, manager of the Thai national sepak takraw team, said, “A WALK OUT would have played into their hands, so we did not do that. We chose a WALK OVER, which means if we are injured with no substitutes or fail to show up within the 15-minute allowed time, it signals that we are not protesting the match. We respect the organizers and the opposing players, but we refuse to play in conditions that are unfair to the competition.”