Buriram United players made a celebratory gesture during the 2025/26 FA Cup match, prompting netizens to wonder if it conveyed a political message.
On 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7, many say sports and politics should not mix. Similarly, the International Olympic Committee declared in the 1975 Olympic Charter that all forms of propaganda—political, religious, or racial—are prohibited in the Olympic Games or venues.
This aligns with a statement from the Football Association of Thailand during the 2019 election period under Dr. Somyot Poompanmoung’s presidency, which was publicly released.
The Football Association of Thailand, under royal patronage, enforces governance rules between itself and its members. Article 4 stipulates political and religious neutrality, prohibiting discrimination based on nationality, gender, language, religion, politics, or other reasons. Any violation will result in suspension or expulsion from membership.
To prevent such incidents, the Football Association urges members to monitor and prohibit any acts—direct or indirect—by clubs, teams, staff, players, or fans that display such behavior. This includes documents, signs, plans, still or moving images, or symbols that convey such meanings, especially as they could affect international relations.
However, on 14 Jan 2026 GMT+7 during the Chang FA Cup 2025/26, in the match where Buriram United hosted and defeated Pattani 4-0, the players made gestures resembling the "Talk and Do+" slogan used during the Bhumjaithai Party's election campaign.
Notably, Theerathon Bunmathan made a hand symbol similar to that used by Bhumjaithai Party leaders to signify the number 37, the party's candidate number in the 2026 House of Representatives election.
This has led football fans to raise questions online about whether Buriram players' actions were appropriate or possibly violated any provisions of the House of Representatives Election Act.
They also questioned the Football Association of Thailand on whether such expressions are permissible in professional football competitions.