Former national football team coach Charnwit Phalajivin and Sports Authority of Thailand deputy governor Montri Chaiyapan are vying for the SAT's governorship.
They are the only two candidates after yesterday's application deadline. They will seek to succeed current SAT governor Kanokphan Chulakasem, whose second four-year team expires at the end of June next year.
The SAT governor will be selected by a committee.
Charnwit Phalajivin.
The 57-year-old Charnwit, now a deputy director-general at the Physical Education Department, said he had been in sports for more than three decades and that his experience would be an asset.
Charnwit said he once encouraged Montri to run for the post several years ago but he was not ready at the time.
"We both have been in sports for many years. We are like footballers playing in the same position and the coach will pick only one," Charnwit said.
Montri, who has been an SAT deputy governor for 13 years, said an SAT governor should have proper age, experience and education.
"It all depends on the selecting committee,"he said.
"I believe the committee will select the right one."
Sakol Wannapong, another SAT deputy governor, said he decided not to run for the post after Montri had submitted his application.
Sakol said that Montri made the right decision to vie for the job as this proves there are a lot of qualified officials within the SAT.
"No one knows our problems better than people in the organisation," he said.
He called on the new governor to develop human resources in the SAT.
"Over the past six or seven years, we have failed to bring the best out of our officials," he said.
"We should focus on fundamental development instead of hosting an F1 race."