Surasak Phanjaroenworakul presided over the signing of an MOU to support Thai League 3 football clubs for the 2026–2027 season, aiming to elevate professional football in Thailand by strengthening its grassroots foundation, covering 69 clubs nationwide.
On 5 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, chaired the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for sustainable support of Thai League 3 professional football clubs for the 2026–2027 season. Also present were Thanujiat Janchoom, Manager of the National Sports Development Fund, and Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, along with representatives from all 69 Thai League 3 clubs.
Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, stated, “This MOU represents integrated cooperation among the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Football Association of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, and 69 Thai League 3 clubs to provide financial support for club development. The Fund is providing 1 million baht per club, totaling 69 million baht.”
He explained that Thai League 3 is a vital foundation of Thailand’s professional football system. Strengthening Thai League 1 and Thai League 2 depends on building a quality and standard base in Thai League 3, in terms of competition, management, and professional operations. It also provides a platform for regional players to showcase talent, improve skills, and advance to higher leagues and potentially the national team.
Football is a popular sport in Thailand and worldwide. Beyond offering hope and opportunities to youth, it promotes health, physical development, discipline, and constructive use of free time. Importantly, football clubs in each province serve as community hubs, connecting people and fostering economic activities, tourism, and local income generation.
Meanwhile, Thanujiat Janchoom, Manager of the National Sports Development Fund, said, “This support aligns with the policy of the Minister of Tourism and Sports, who recognizes the challenges and limitations faced by Thai League 3 clubs. Discussions led to ways to ease their burdens and assist sustainable club development. The Fund acknowledges football’s importance as a mass sport widely accessible to the public.”
He added, “This support marks the beginning of elevating regional professional football. We hope every club will use the budget to enhance team potential and management systems to higher standards, and develop systematic operations so clubs can grow and become self-reliant in the long term.”
Additionally, the Fund is prepared to consider supporting other professional sports such as volleyball and other promising sports. Establishing a foundation for professional sports is a crucial government mission to create opportunities for Thai athletes to develop skills to the highest level and boost the country’s competitive potential in the future.
Regarding this budget support, the Fund will proceed according to established procedures and criteria to ensure clubs can use the funds promptly. Details on spending methods and criteria will be explained to ensure all clubs act correctly, transparently, and accountably for maximum efficiency.
Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand, said, “Currently, Thai League 3 has 69 participating clubs divided into six zones. It is one of the professional football leagues with the largest number of clubs compared to many Asian countries. Previously, the Football Association supported clubs with a budget of 1.25 million baht last season.”
Since assuming office, the Minister of Tourism and Sports has emphasized Thai League 3 as a grassroots league playing a key role in developing Thai football. Besides serving as a talent scouting platform, many clubs represent their provinces, symbolizing pride and hope for local football fans and fostering community unity.
Developing Thai League 3 clubs goes beyond the pitch; it connects to the economy, society, and culture of each province. This includes creating careers for athletes and football personnel, employment, local business services, and encouraging people and fans to attend matches, boosting regional economic activities.
Through collaboration among the Minister of Tourism and Sports, the National Sports Development Fund, and the Football Association of Thailand, a direct budget support plan was established, providing 69 million baht from the Fund to Thai League 3 clubs.
This enhances clubs’ resources to develop teams, raise competition standards, and manage clubs more effectively, boosting confidence among athletes, staff, sponsors, and football fans in each province. The shared goal is to build a strong professional football system from the regional level, linking concretely to Thai League 2, Thai League 1, and the national team.
This collaboration is not merely financial support for 69 clubs but an investment to develop Thailand’s professional football ecosystem. It creates opportunities for youth and athletes, builds careers for sports personnel, and uses football’s power to drive regional economic and social progress, laying a stable and sustainable foundation for Thai football’s growth.