The Thai Football Association was fined more than 700,000 baht for fans lighting flares after the 2-1 victory over Turkmenistan.
On 14 May 2026, after fans handed flares to Chanathip Songkrasin, the captain of the Thai national team, to light following the match, the "War Elephants" narrowly defeated Turkmenistan 2-1, securing their spot in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup.
Due to this incident, the AFC decided to fine the Football Association of Thailand 22,500 USD, which amounts to approximately 727,000 baht.
The high fine was imposed because this was not the first offense, whether in Thai national team football or the Thai national beach soccer team. There is a risk of harsher penalties if violations continue, such as a ban on the "War Elephants" playing home matches.