Sisaket #BelieveInPlang
An evening honoring distinguished figures in Thai football.
The FA Thailand Awards 2025/26 ceremony has concluded impressively!
Congratulations to all award recipients and clubs, truly deserving recognition for their achievements over the past season.
I will gradually share details about the various awards in the coming days.
Especially the PRESIDENT'S AWARD 2025/26 honor.
This year, “President Plang,” Nualphan Lamsam, the petite female head of the Thai Football Association, presented it to “Big Hoi” Thawatchai Sajakul, also known as Vanasthana Sajakul.
The legendary former manager of the Thailand national team who created historic moments for Thai football, stories of which could be told for days.
So, I will hold off on writing about “P' Hoi” for now and share that story another time.
What I want to write about today is the joy and fulfillment of the people of Sisaket.
For being selected as the host of the 52nd King's Cup football tournament in 2026.
Scheduled during the FIFA international match window, from 9-17 November 2026.
Matches will take place at the Koh Klang Nam Stadium, operated by the Sports Authority of Thailand, with a capacity of 12,000 seats.
The four competing national teams are Thailand (world rank 94), Oman (rank 79),
Bahrain (rank 92), and Tajikistan (rank 101).
This underscores a golden year for the authentic "football city" of Sisaket.
This season, two teams from the same province, Rasrisai United and Sisaket United,
made history by winning the second-tier Thai League 2 championship and runner-up respectively.
Both earned promotion to the top-tier Thai League 1 in the same year, an unprecedented achievement for any provincial team in Thailand.
So it’s no surprise that “King's Cup fever” will spread throughout the city and the lower northeastern region.
This will undoubtedly ignite great excitement.
Those who recall the atmosphere four years ago when Thailand narrowly defeated Turkmenistan 1-0 in a friendly match here will remember.
The overwhelming support from Sisaket football fans and neighboring provinces filled the stadium to capacity.
Fans queued early in the morning to buy tickets.
So much so that shoes were lined up in a long snake-like queue outside the stadium.
That scene is sure to return this November for the King's Cup tournament.
Credit goes to the sincere efforts of “Big Tong” Siripong Angkasakulkit, Deputy Minister of Transport and president of the Sisaket Provincial Sports Association.
Those who have followed the news know that “Big Tong” has long expressed his desire to host the King's Cup at least once.
His goal is to elevate Sisaket, known as one of Thailand’s top ten poorest provinces,
according to the latest survey by the National Economic and Social Development Council.
He aims to transform it into a leading Sport City in every aspect.
To generate income for locals, stimulate the economy, and revive tourism in the province.
This aligns with the government's Sport Tourism policy, which receives full support.
Although this is Sisaket's first time hosting the King's Cup,
it is sure to be a memorable event for many.
As MP Tong, the main organizer, clearly stated on stage,
“Thank you to the association for giving Sisaket this opportunity. Though you may think it’s a small place, our hearts are very big.”
“Especially in football, when we play, the stadium is always full.”
“Thanks again to the association, and as the minister said, we #BelieveInPlang.”
“We will prepare thoroughly and ask the association’s representatives to join us in the ceremonial blessing so we can win together.”
“I invite football fans to come and support the Thailand national team at the King's Cup in Sisaket.”
This hosting model mirrors last year’s success in Kanchanaburi exactly.
Kanchanaburi’s team earned promotion to the Thai League before being surprisingly chosen as host.
Similarly, Sisaket achieved promotion to the top league with two teams simultaneously.
Then fulfilled their dream of hosting the King's Cup this year.
It’s a happy beginning for both.
But the ending,
we hope will not be a return to old disappointments... that’s all!!!
- Bee Bangpakong -