Copter, manager of the Nong Copter team, was stunned that his player, who did not speak rudely, was kicked in the mouth by the opposing coach.
On 1 Feb 2026, during the Thung Kong Cup football tourney in Tak province on Sunday, 25 Jan, a viral incident occurred on social media when a man suddenly kicked the football away and then kicked a player in the face on the field, causing a mouth injury.
However, Copter, manager of the Nong Copter team whose player was attacked, told Thairath Sport that the assailant was the opposing team’s coach who was intoxicated, as alcohol was indeed sold around the field. He emphasized that his player did not say anything offensive before being slapped and kicked in the mouth.
Copter confirmed that his player only said, “Referee, he kicked the ball out,” without using bad language or showing anger. The assailant responded, “So what?” before slapping and kicking the mouth, making the incident viral on social media.
Copter also urged that alcohol sales around the field be banned to reduce risks of such incidents and called for clear competition rules and penalties to help prevent similar events from happening again.