Many are alarmed, pointing out the issue that Thailand may miss watching the 2026 World Cup as the government might not purchase the broadcast rights (video).
On 22 May 2026, Meng Summerhill, a renowned international football expert, spoke candidly about Thailand's problems in acquiring the broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup on the program Clear Rim Sen on Thairath Sport.
The latest trend shows that the Thai government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has indicated it might not buy the FIFA broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup to offer free viewing to the public, due to the combined cost and operational expenses reaching as high as 1.7 billion baht. There was indirect communication suggesting that those who want to watch may have to find their own viewing channels.
Meng Summerhill shared interesting views on the issues and approaches to purchasing broadcast rights for the World Cup and other popular sports events among Thais, saying, "This problem happened last time too, and in the end people chipped in collectively."
"So why didn’t you plan ahead about what to do next time? Where to get the money? Why not collect a small fee, like a baht each, starting four years ago? Honestly, it's not like you just get through it when it ends, then when it comes again you ask 'what now? where to get the money?' Then people argue among themselves, some want to watch, some don’t."
"Why not look ahead to the next four years? It will come again. What will you do? Where will you get the money? Will you deduct it from somewhere? There are many methods. It's not like suddenly forcing people or starting projects or borrowing money to do this or that."
"Instead of looking at the sports calendar that stretches far ahead—how many World Cups have there been? They already have the hosts lined up. But we move a bit when it comes, then after four years it comes again. It’s ridiculous. Then people argue on TV like children."
