From this week until the end of the month,
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has assigned the Football Association of Thailand to host three major events within a close timeframe.
Starting with hosting the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers for the Under-17 Youth Championship.
From 8-20 Nov 2026 at Buriram City Stadium, Buriram Province.
Followed by hosting the 30th Annual AFC Awards Bangkok 2026.
At Aksra Theatre King Power, Bangkok, on Thursday, 19 Nov 2026.
And another major event: Thailand hosting the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ for the third time.
Scheduled from 18-28 Nov 2026, with 12 top Asian nations competing.
To select three teams to advance to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027 final round.
This time, the venue moves from the familiar city of Pattaya.
Changing the atmosphere to the south with a grand event at Ban Nam Khem Beach Football Stadium, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga Province.
To promote secondary city tourism and firmly establish Phang Nga as an international sports city.
The government policy, led by “Big A” Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports,
aims to use “sports” as a mechanism to create economic value and distribute opportunities across regions through the 2026 AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup.
It hopes to establish a model connecting sports, tourism, and community economy.
While laying the foundation to bid for hosting the Beach Soccer World Cup in the future.
In fact, this future is near, as “Big Pom” Adisak Benjasiriwan, Vice President of the Football Association of Thailand and Chair of Futsal and Beach Soccer Development,
recently told me on the live show “Sports People Ask, Field Doctor Answers” earlier this week that
Thailand has already submitted its candidacy to host the “Beach Soccer World Cup 2027” to FIFA for consideration.
Planning to use four well-known coastal cities popular with global tourists—Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket,
and Takua Pa in Phang Nga, the current venue for the Asian Beach Soccer competition.
The Association has invested over 20 million baht to transform Ban Nam Khem Beach Football Stadium into a beautiful, fully equipped international-standard venue in every aspect.
Importantly, this new beach soccer stadium has grandstands that can accommodate up to 1,500 spectators.
Minister Surasak stated that if Thailand can host Asian-level competitions with high quality,
it will be an important foundation for future consideration to host world-class events.
This perspective views sports competitions as an investment to develop national potential, rather than events that end when the games conclude.
By integrating all sectors and measuring real benefits.
Phang Nga Province has strong potential in natural resources, beaches, culture, food, and community identity, which can be suitably linked with sports competitions.
“Ban Nam Khem is an area with a strong community story, rebuilt after the past tsunami. Today, we have the opportunity to bring international sports events to create new opportunities for the area.”
This may be another important demonstration of how Thailand can leverage its natural resources and sports potential to create new opportunities for tourism economy.
“FROM PHANG NGA TO THE WORLD — We must work together to maximize the benefits of this opportunity for Thailand.”
For the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2026™, starting next week, fans can attend free of charge.
All matches will be broadcast live on TrueVisions NOW, with free viewing of all Thailand national team games according to the schedule below.
Wednesday, 18 November 2026: Thailand vs. Iraq at 18:30.
Friday, 20 November 2026: Bahrain vs. Thailand at 18:30.
Sunday, 22 November 2026: Thailand vs. Japan at 18:30.
The Thai national beach soccer team, under the leadership of “Coach Ek” Setthakornchai Chunta,
is more prepared than ever before.
“Big Pom” Adisak, the head, has already declared in advance that
the Thai barefoot football team will be one of the three Asian representatives at the 2027 Beach Soccer World Cup in style,
without relying on host nation quota… at all!!!
- B Bangpakong -