Sports Union Calls for True Athlete as New Thai Sports Chief
The Sports Authority of Thailand received 10 applications to replace its governor, with a labor union calling for the new leader to have genuine sports science expertise and vision for advancing Thai athletics globally.
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) officially closed applications for the position of governor for 2025 on July 29, receiving 10 candidates. The selection process will include credential verification, English language testing, and interviews before a ranked list is submitted to the SAT board and cabinet for approval of the new governor, who will take office on October 1 replacing Dr. Kongsakdi Yodmani.
The Thai Sports Enterprise Labor Union has launched a campaign calling for the selection of a new SAT governor who is prepared in administrative work and truly versed in sports science to advance Thailand's sporting direction. According to their statement, the position of SAT governor is one of the most influential posts in Thai sports history, as it is not merely an administrative chair of a state enterprise but a position that can control the entire direction of Thai sports and serve as a key driver to promote Thai athletes to compete on the world stage with the Thai flag and the word THAILAND.
The union emphasizes that the next governor must have management skills and expertise in sports science, and crucially, must be a visionary who sees sports as a nation-building tool and athletes as the heart of success. The union calls on decision-makers to select the 14th SAT governor with these qualities.
The 10 candidates for SAT governor are: 1. Sirichest Pooltipaiyanond, chairman of the Thai Mixed Martial Arts Association 2. Dr. Suwit Loirtanakul, local politician and social worker 3. Thanpawat Techabuvadon, advisor to the Thai Bodybuilding and Fitness Association 4. Jen Piyathat, chairman of Granular Badminton Club and board member of the Thai Badminton Association 5. Kunakorn Manantirairat, former MP and advisor to the Thai Military and Police Shooting Association 6. Pol. Lt. Col. Chaiporn Ofoowongse, deputy commander of the Legal and Case Office, Royal Thai Police 7. Dr. Meechai Inwood, deputy governor of SAT for Administration 8. Prorpraan Samanmit, deputy governor of SAT for Professional Sports and Boxing 9. Thanakorn Duangmani, CEO of The Agency Group 10. Dr. Mallika Bunyameetrasukul Mhasook, politician and former journalist
