Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday guaranteed live broadcast of 2018 Fifa World Cup matches for Thai football fans.
Gen Prawit said all Thais will have a chance to watch the competition live from Russia, although the fee for broadcast rights -- that is likely to cost 1.3 billion baht -- has not been settled.
The deputy prime minister, who is also the chairman of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) board, said the costly rights posed no problems for Thailand. He declined to give details.
Potential World Cup broadcast rights buyers have been put off by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission's regulation stipulating that live major sporting events such as the World Cup and Olympics must be aired on free TV as well.
Gen Prawit held talks with Gen Yutthasak Sasiprabha, adviser to him in his capacity as president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, on the sidelines of the SAT board meeting at Government House.
Thai fans have enjoyed watching all World Cup games live since 1990.