Until a few minutes before the Jan 11 deadline to file candidacies for next month's election for president of the Football Association of Thailand, former national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang had been an overwhelming favourite for the top FAT job, but then his apple cart was upset.
Charnwit Phalajivin, centre, and members of his team.
As the clocked ticked towards the 5pm deadline, walked in former national team coach Charnwit Phalajivin to submit his nomination to contest the election to the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee at the Sports Authority of Thailand headquarters in Hua Mark.
Pol Gen Somyot had submitted his application papers to the committee, which is entrusted with the task of organising the election on Feb 11, in the morning and so had three other candidates.
The other three entering the race are former national team manager Vanasthana (formerly Thavatchai) Sajakul, former FAT secretary-general Pinit Sasinin and Bangkok FC chairman Natthapol Teepsuwan.
A day earlier, media reports had Charnwit, also a former deputy chief of the Physical Education Department, refusing to be a presidential candidate to represent suspended Worawi Makudi's camp, making Somyot the sole front-runner.
Charnwit had a change of heart, came to the SAT headquarters minutes before the deadline, filed his application and quickly declared: "I am not anyone's proxy."
Charnwit's decision to contest wasn't exactly a surprise as many had been expecting it — at least it was clearly evident from the presence of a large number of media personnel at the SAT headquarters hours after everyone else had filed his application.
With his nomination, the race has become intriguing.
He is being seen as a serious challenger for Somyot, who is backed by Thai Premier League giants Buriram United, Chonburi and Bangkok Glass among other clubs as well as King Power Group, which owns English Premier League side Leicester City.
In fact, many observers believe Charnwit will win with the backing of Worawi and his associates.
Charnwit is unmistakably confident of his chances as is obvious from one of his initial statements: "Before I officially decided to join the race, there was someone being touted as a hot favourite for election.
"I am sure that the situation has changed now and some clubs might start having second thoughts before voting.
"So far, I am quite happy with the feedback that I have had from the clubs across the country. I am ready to work for them and for the interest of the country's football."
Charnwit's priority is to help the association get rid of its prevailing political conflict and sweeping aside the resultant mess.
He says he is also keen to develop the association into an effective and transparent body and steer Thailand to their first ever World Cup finals.
Charnwit said: "First, I would focus on solving the internal conflict because the association has been plagued with such problems for the last four to five years. I don't wish to see this continue any longer as it will affect the growing popularity of the national team and our football leagues.
"Our country and our football have suffered a lot from these political problems in the last 10 years. It is a shame that there exist so many problems and even more have cropped up before the election.
"I can't see how this would help our sport and this is the reason that I have decided to contest the election."
Charnwit, whose team includes former national striker Piyapong Pue-on and TPL chairman Ong-art Kosinkha, reaffirmed that he was not a nominee of Worawi.
"I don't belong to any camp," said the 60-year-old Charnwit.
"I have been working for football for a long time and I have worked with a lot of people, but that doesn't make me a nominee of any particular person.
"I know Khun Worawi because we used to work together, but I am not under him.
"Anyone is welcome to work for football, but he must have the right spirit. It is time for the clubs to choose the right leader."
Ong-art, also a former FAT secretary-general, said Charnwit was picked because of his ability to run the Thailand Premier League.
"He knows the league better than anyone else,'' he said.
While Charnwit is being backed by TPL runners-up SCG Muang Thong United and some media outlets, Somyot has the support of reigning champions Buriram United, owned by Newin Chidchob.
Asked if he agrees with Ong-art's plan to increase the number of TPL teams from 18 to 20, Charnwit said there was nothing new to the idea.
He added that it can prove beneficial for the teams as they would get an increase in revenue from sponsors and TV rights, but admitted that "it might not be the right time to make such a move."
"Actually, this has been discussed off and on for a long time that the league should be expanded to 20 teams," he said.
"I think the plan is getting the flak only because they have decided to go for it at a time when some clubs are facing problems."
The former national head coach said he wasn't worried about Somyot's slogan which calls for fairness because he has never been unfair to anyone.
"I have been fair to everyone all my life so you can only expect me to be fair to all for the rest of my life as well. It is not a new or extraordinary thing for me," he said.
Charnwit has a lot many things going in his favour that can eventually help him win the election.
The main thing is that he has been associated with the sport for a long time and his services to football have been well documented.
"Throughout my life, I have been involved in football and I have taught footballers in almost every province of the country," he said.
"You can say that I not only make a living out of football but also live for football.
"However, I had never thought that one day I will be running for the [FAT] presidency. It is these prevailing problems that have forced me to take this course."
With his knowledge of football and working experience as coach at both club and national levels, Charnwit believes he has a chance to win the election.
There will be 72 voters for the Feb 11 election and that include 18 each from the TPL and League One.
There will be another 30 from Division Two (regional league) and six from minor competitions, with the 30-vote bloc seen as the key factor in the election.
Teams in Division Two selected their 30 voters last year but the normalisation committee has arranged a re-election of these voters on Jan 22 prompting protests from Worawi's aides.
"In fact, at this moment, I do not know whose support I should seek," said Charnwit, referring to the 30 Division Two voters.
Somyot Poompunmuang.