The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Committee yesterday lent its backing to the Thai plans to stage the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, which will have the added significance of qualifying three teams to the Olympic Games in the same year in Tokyo.
FAT chief Somyot Poompunmuang.
Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang yesterday thanked the committee for its support, saying it is a great development for the country.
"This is our vision," said Somyot, explaining: "The FAT wants to host major football competitions in Thailand.
"This shows that we have the potential to stage big tournaments and it will help boost Thailand's image in the eyes of the world.
"I would like to thank the AFC for showing its trust in the FAT's ability to host this Asian level tournament."
Staging the event will also give the Thai national U23 team the home advantage, granting them the chance to fare better than this year's Asian youth tournament in China.
The 2018 tournament was won by Uzbekistan in January when Thailand bowed out in the first round.
The War Elephants also disappointed at the 2018 Asian Games, which come to a close tomorrow in Indonesia, after failing to make it to the second round.
Japan will qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games as the host nation and will be joined by three qualifiers from the 2020 U23 Championship -- giving Asian one more place than Rio de Janeiro 2016.