Thai people should have the right to watch the national football team on free TV.
The ASEAN football championship, known as the "ASEAN Cup 2026," has now reached the final match.
The defending champions, Vietnam, and Thailand’s national team are meeting again for the third consecutive time as scheduled and expected by many.
Our local fans who prefer "free viewing" can finally rejoice!
TrueVisions, the rights holder, has responded to public demand.
They announced live broadcasts of both ASEAN final matches.
On Saturday, 22 August and Wednesday, 26 August.
For free via the TrueVisions NOW app, without network restrictions.
Under the campaign "Unlock TrueVisions NOW for Thai People – ASEAN Final."
Fans nationwide are invited to download the TrueVisions NOW application.
To prepare to cheer and support the “War Elephants” in these two decisive ASEAN championship games.
True executives confirmed their intention to provide all Thai people with access to these important matches.
This aligns with the principles and commitment of the CP Group and True Corporation.
Who have long supported Thai talents advancing to international stages.
Regarding calls for broadcasts on free-to-air TV,
True likely has certain conditions and reasons that prevent this from happening.
However, offering free viewing via the TrueVisions NOW app in an era when people easily access social media
should be acceptable!
We should thank True for their generosity here.
Likewise, Madam Pang Nualphan Lamsam, the strong female president of the Football Association of Thailand, has been fully active on this matter.
This led "Big A" Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports,
and "Big Noi" Tanukiat Janchum, manager of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF),
to seriously join efforts to find a solution.
This is an excellent omen for all parties.
The sports minister and the NSDF manager are also looking ahead to live broadcasts of future football competitions involving the national team.
They have requested the association to prepare plans for budget allocation consideration.
To support future free-to-air broadcasts.
This aligns with the view of Pauline Ngampring, founder of the Thai Power cheering club,
who shared with me on the live show “Sports People Ask, Field Doctor Answers” last week.
Pauline expressed sympathy for the Football Association under Madam Pang Nualphan Lamsam,
which has been heavily criticized on this issue, even though it is not the association’s responsibility.
The matter involves private companies directly purchasing the broadcasting rights, so the association cannot interfere with their business.
This issue requires government involvement.
Because it concerns the public interest of the nation’s people,
who should have equal opportunities to watch all sports events involving the national team on free TV.
Private companies may buy rights as they wish, and that cannot be prevented.
But the government also has the duty to find ways to broadcast live
so that people can watch Thai athletes’ performances on free TV alongside private broadcasts. That would be appropriate.
If it’s foreign sports like the World Cup or the Euro with no Thai team participating, that’s acceptable.
Anyone interested can purchase packages from private companies who invest as they see fit.
But for every event where the Thai national team competes,
Thai people should be able to watch for free through government arrangements without conditions.
That way, severe controversies
involving the association and the national football team
like those seen in this ASEAN Cup would be avoided.
- Bee Bangpakong -