Worawi Makudi has been elected to a two-year term as president of the Football Association of Thailand just days ahead of a visit by the Asian Football Confederation to assess the kingdom's readiness to stage the opening ceremony and a group round of this year's Asian Cup. Worawi, a FIFA executive committee member, was the only candidate and won all 115 votes cast, FAT officials confirmed to Reuters. He served as FAT secretary-general for 11 years and takes over from Vijit Getkaew, who quit on 8 March. In his letter of resignation Vijit said he had endured excessive criticism and was tired of being the scapegoat for the national team's failures.
The AFC had last year considered replacing Thailand as a co-host for the 7-29 July tournament after it failed to meet deadlines for upgrading its Supachalasai and Rajamangala national stadiums. FAT was granted a reprieve following the approval of a government budget to carry out the work before the AFC's deadline. Earlier this month, the Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said renovations to the 60,000-seater Rajamangala stadium will be completed by 18 June, only three weeks before the opening ceremony and game.
The AFC had last year considered replacing Thailand as a co-host for the 7-29 July tournament after it failed to meet deadlines for upgrading its Supachalasai and Rajamangala national stadiums. FAT was granted a reprieve following the approval of a government budget to carry out the work before the AFC's deadline. Earlier this month, the Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said renovations to the 60,000-seater Rajamangala stadium will be completed by 18 June, only three weeks before the opening ceremony and game.