Thailand National Team Manager and the King's Cup Championship
The countdown to the 52nd King's Cup football tournament begins.
For the first time, the matches will be held in Sisaket Province, the “City of Sports,” from 14 to 17 November 2026.
Four nations will participate: Thailand, Oman, Tajikistan, and Brunei national teams.
The excitement so far may not be as intense as expected.
This is partly due to the opponents facing the Thai team in the semifinals not being particularly attractive.
Additionally, the final match is scheduled for a Tuesday, which is not a public holiday.
This makes it difficult for fans from other provinces to travel to watch the game live at the stadium.
However, it is believed that on match day, the passion of the Sisaket locals for sports
will create a lively atmosphere for this King's Cup tournament, as vibrant as in previous years.
Football fans who cannot visit northeastern Thailand can watch the live broadcast on Thairath TV Channel 32, www.thairath.co.th/tv/live,
Facebook: Thairath TV (ThairathTV), Facebook: Thairath Sport, YouTube: Thairath Sport, and the TrueVisions Now app.
The match schedule for the two days is as follows:
Saturday, 14 November 2026, semifinals: first match Oman vs. Tajikistan at 16:00.
Second match: Thailand vs. Brunei at 19:30.
On Tuesday, 17 November 2026, the third-place and final matches will be held at Sisaket Provincial Stadium (Ko Klang Nam).
Recent news coverage about the Thailand national team over the past couple of days
has mostly focused on the appointment of a new "Thailand national team manager" after two years.
"Madam Pang" Nualphan Lamsam, the football chief, officially assigned "Sia Kueng" Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, a well-known businessman, to this position.
He will play a role in driving the development of the national team to be more prepared in all aspects.
Alongside coach Anthony Hudson, who retains full authority over team tactics and strategy for the War Elephants.
"Big Kueng" will mainly support management and coordinate work between the association, coaching staff, and players.
I agree with "Madam Pang" on reinstating a team manager for the War Elephants.
Especially appointing a young and energetic figure like Sia Kueng - Chalermchai, who is fully capable of supporting the national team in every way, is a good move.
This reminds me of many former famous national team managers who achieved success.
Each of them made a lasting impression by winning the King's Cup in their respective eras.
Such as "Big Hoy" Thawatchai Sajakul,
"Big Kong" Wirat Chanpanich,
and the most recent manager who led Thailand to reclaim the King's Cup after nine years,
"Big Khajorn Chiawvanont," chairman of True Bangkok United Football Club.
He achieved great success in the 44th King's Cup in mid-2016, a decade ago.
That tournament, held under King Rama IX's reign, remains one of the most memorable for Thai football fans.
It was the year marking the 100th anniversary of the Thailand national team.
Players wore retro jerseys featuring the "Great Crown" emblem in white and red.
They proudly lifted the King's Cup trophy at Rajamangala National Stadium.
It was also the first time FIFA recognized the King's Cup as an official 'A Match' friendly tournament.
This allowed the winning Thailand team to earn full FIFA ranking points.
Each King's Cup tournament creates a moment that establishes the identity of the "national team manager" as a well-known figure among football fans nationwide.
Therefore, although Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, known as "Kueng," is already famous in high society,
to become a household name among football and sports fans throughout Thailand,
he must lift the King's Cup trophy in Sisaket first!
- Bee Bangpakong -