Pinyo Niroj, a Nakhon Sawan MP from the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party, has shifted his bid for the top Football Association of Thailand (FAT) office into a higher gear with a promise to make the Kingdom a regional powerhouse again.
Pinyo also named his 19-member executive committee team at a press conference yesterday.
With the disqualification of former FAT chief Worawi Makudi, Pinyo is now the only challenger to incumbent president of the association Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, who is seeking his second four-year term in the office.
Some of the leading members of Pinyo's panel are Dr Jutha Tingsapat, a former Thailand international and TV commentator, Samart Maluleem and Sunthorn Meesuwan.
"Last month, we were knocked out in the first round of the SEA Games. This is something which shouldn't happen again," said Pinyo.
"If we can't beat the Asean teams then what sort of chances do we have against the stronger nations? I want the Thai teams to stage a comeback."
Pinyo also promised to increase the number of teams back to 18 in Thai League 1 and increase its prize money as well.
Meanwhile, Worawi is not giving up hope for a chance to contest in the Feb 12 election, seeking "fairness" from the Sports Authority of Thailand once again.