The Sports Fund awarded 70 million baht in scholarships to athletes; Surasak expressed great satisfaction and announced good news of a 100 million baht budget increase next year.
Providing comprehensive support both on and off the field, the National Sports Development Fund held a scholarship awarding ceremony for athletes and sports personnel in 2026, granting scholarships to 1,038 recipients totaling 70,857,200 baht. The fund also highlighted its 21-year success, having helped 3,400 athletes graduate with a total scholarship amounting to 487,312,500 baht. Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, revealed that the fund supports athletes’ education alongside their sports careers and shared the good news that next year’s budget will increase to 100 million baht to further develop athletes’ potential and boost Thailand’s international reputation.
On 4 June 2026, at Pavilion Room, 8th floor, The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel on Srinakarin Road, Bangkok, Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the orientation and scholarship contract signing ceremony for athletes and sports personnel for fiscal year 2026 (new scholarships). The event was organized by the National Sports Development Fund of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). Priya Lalun, Deputy Governor for Sports Excellence and Sports Science of SAT, and Thanukiat Chanchum, Manager of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), also participated. The event was well attended by scholarship recipients, athletes, and sports personnel.
During the event, Surasak Phanjaroenworakul and other executives toured the National Sports Development Fund exhibition booth before watching a video about scholarship support and officially opening the event. The ceremony then proceeded with scholarship presentations, where the executives transferred funds in real time on stage to the recipients—athletes and sports personnel. In 2026, 1,038 scholarships were awarded: 298 new scholarships for athletes under the Sports Associations of Thailand totaling 19,462,800 baht; 311 new scholarships for athletes under provincial sports associations totaling 19,154,400 baht; and 429 continuing scholarships under the Sports Associations of Thailand totaling 32,240,000 baht. The total scholarships awarded this year amounted to 70,857,200 baht.
The National Sports Development Fund of the Sports Authority of Thailand operates under the Sports Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2558 (2015), Section 28 (5), with the purpose of supporting scholarships for athletes and sports personnel. It has widely allocated scholarships both at the national and provincial levels as encouragement for athletes to develop themselves both in sports and education comprehensively and sustainably. This support enables them to focus on training and competition without worrying about education expenses.
Each fiscal year, scholarships are considered for athletes and sports personnel from the Sports Associations of Thailand and provincial sports associations. An annual orientation and scholarship contract signing training session is held for recipients to provide knowledge about scholarship applications, compliance with scholarship conditions, and other related matters as stipulated by the fund. Additionally, training sessions offer useful knowledge to athletes and sports personnel, including activities where expert instructors share beneficial information for athletes, coaches, sports associations, and other stakeholders.
Since 2005, the National Sports Development Fund has supported scholarships continuously until 2026, spanning 21 years. It has provided scholarships to 4,495 individuals totaling 487,312,500 baht, with 3,400 graduates so far. Currently, 1,038 recipients are receiving scholarships in 2026. The fund aims to increase scholarship support by allowing provincial sports associations to nominate up to five candidates per province, up from three previously. Scholarship amounts include monthly stipends and tuition fees, differentiated by education level: 2,300 baht per month for primary and lower secondary education; 3,200 baht per month for upper secondary and vocational certificate (Vocation Certificate Level 1); 4,500 baht per month for higher vocational certificates (Vocation Certificate Level 2 and Technical Certificate); and 5,800 baht per month for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, the government promotes and supports Thai sports to advance from competition to sports as an economic and quality-of-life contributor. The 2026 scholarship orientation for athletes and sports personnel is a key part of this support, improving the quality of life for Thai athletes and sports staff. This will enhance their sports potential and elevate Thailand's international competitiveness.
“Providing scholarships to athletes and staff is a welfare measure aimed at developing both sports skills and education simultaneously. Many athletes come from families where they contribute to household income, and the time spent training limits their ability to help. This scholarship assists in easing those burdens. Our goal is not only to create excellent athletes but also to equip them with intellectual skills. Over more than 20 years, this program has proven effective, with many athletes succeeding in both sports and careers. The scholarship has helped alleviate their financial burdens. The fund’s budget has grown to 80 million baht this year, and next year, thanks to policies from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, it will expand to 100 million baht to continue supporting athletes and sports personnel,” he said.
Thanukiat Chanchum, Manager of the National Sports Development Fund, said the 2026 scholarship orientation training aims to provide knowledge and understanding about applying for scholarships, scholarship recipient responsibilities, and related topics. It also seeks to impart useful life skills to maximize benefits for athletes and sports personnel. The fund has supported scholarships since the 2005 academic year through 2026, spanning 21 years, and remains committed to promoting educational opportunities alongside sports skills development, helping athletes and sports staff achieve sustainable success both on and off the field.