Madame Pang Addresses ASEAN Cup Broadcast Issues

Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand, has addressed public frustration regarding the limited availability of the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup broadcasts. Many Thai fans have expressed disappointment that matches are not available on free-to-air television, as the rights holder, Sportfive, sold the broadcasting privileges to TrueVisions, which is airing games exclusively via its TrueVisions Now application.

Madame Pang explained that the Football Association of Thailand does not hold the broadcast rights for this tournament, placing the matter outside their direct control. She noted that if the association held the rights, they would have ensured broader access for the public.

For residents and visitors in Thailand, this means that following the national team’s progress—which currently includes a strong performance with victories over Laos and Malaysia—requires a subscription to the specific digital platform rather than traditional television channels. The national team is scheduled to play away against the Philippines before returning to Rajamangala Stadium to face Myanmar.

While the association continues to support the team’s development, the situation highlights the complexities of international sports broadcasting rights. It remains to be confirmed if any future negotiations or public pressure might influence accessibility for the remainder of the tournament, though the current arrangement remains firmly with the private rights holder.