Sirikanya Agrees World Cup Broadcasting Rights Not Worth the Cost; Criticizes Rushing to Promise Free Viewing, Weakening Negotiating Power

At noon on May 19, 2025, at Pheu Thai Party headquarters, Sirikanya Tansukul, a party-list MP and deputy party leader, commented on the government's possible withdrawal from World Cup broadcasting rights. She expressed confusion about the government's shifting statements—initially claiming it wouldn't use state funds, then announcing a withdrawal without clarification. She questioned whether alternative funding sources like the USO (Universal Service Obligation) fund or the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission development fund would be tapped instead, noting the government's inconsistency makes it unclear. She suggested World Cup rights no longer qualify as essential expenditure.

Sirikanya advocated for private sector investment in broadcasting rights, with private entities independently assessing risks, profits, and handling negotiations themselves. She pointed out that hastily promising free viewing to Thais undermines the government's negotiating leverage—initially the cost was 1.3 billion baht but couldn't be negotiated down further once the public commitment was made.

When asked if Deputy Prime Minister Suphamas's position that World Cup rights are too expensive and should be handled by the private sector is correct, Sirikanya agreed, noting the value is difficult to assess since benefits like public happiness and sports inspiration are hard to quantify. She urged the government to preserve funds if it lacks money, and called on the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to ensure alternative funds align with their original purpose of serving low-income and disabled populations, not World Cup broadcasting. "We've already made one mistake; let's not make another," she concluded.