Sports · Football · 4 hrs ago
Thai club backs Park Hang-seo despite early results and referee disputes
Kanchanaburi Power FC has publicly backed coach Park Hang-seo, saying it will not dismiss him even if the club misses promotion this season.
The Thai second-division club’s chairman said it is building for the long term and will be patient.
Park joined the club in May and is tasked with pursuing promotion as well as developing youth players and changing the club’s football structure.
After seven league rounds, Kanchanaburi had 10 points and stood sixth, five points behind the leaders.
A late equaliser after the announced added time led Park to criticise the refereeing after a 1-1 draw on 17 October.
In Thai League 2, the top two teams earn automatic promotion, while teams placed third to sixth compete for another promotion place in a playoff.
The club aims to build a stronger team over the next five years, with ambitions to compete among Thailand’s top clubs and reach the AFC Champions League Elite.
Kanchanaburi Power FC chairman Prawat Kithammakunnit said the club would not dismiss Park Hang-seo even if the team failed to win promotion this season.
The club says it is building for the long term, with goals that include promotion and developing a youth system.
After seven league rounds, Kanchanaburi was sixth with 10 points, five points behind the leader.
Park has faced criticism in Thailand after challenging refereeing decisions and making remarks about the country’s football.
- Who
- Kanchanaburi Power FC and its chairman Prawat Kithammakunnit. Park Hang-seo is the club’s coach.
- What
- The chairman publicly backed Park and said the club would not dismiss him, even if it failed to secure promotion this season.
- When
- The statement was posted on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Kanchanaburi Power FC, in Thailand’s second division.
- Why
- The club said it was building the team for the long term. The backing came amid concerns about the team’s results and disputes over refereeing.
Thai fans critical of Park
Kanchanaburi Power FC
Park’s comments
Thai fans critical of Park
Some Thai fans criticised Park for appearing to disrespect Thai football after he criticised refereeing and said he understood why Thailand kept losing to Vietnam.
Kanchanaburi Power FC
The club publicly backed Park and said it would not dismiss him, including if the team failed to win promotion this season.
Park took charge of Kanchanaburi Power FC.
Park began leading the team in earnest after his work connected to the 2026 World Cup.
Park criticised a refereeing decision in the league match against Nakhon Pathom United and later apologised.
Kanchanaburi drew 1-1 with Muang Loei United after conceding an equaliser in stoppage time.
Club chairman Prawat Kithammakunnit publicly said Park would not be dismissed even if the team failed to gain promotion.
- Club
- Kanchanaburi Power FC
- League position
- Sixth after seven rounds
- Points
- 10
- Gap to leader
- 5 points
- Match result
- 1-1 against Muang Loei United
3 sources
What people are saying
We are building a team for the long term. Even if we do not get promoted this year, we absolutely have no intention of dismissing Park.
I am not questioning the result itself. The referee’s way of managing the game makes the sweat, effort and passion of the players and coaching staff feel wasted.
I can just quit and that would be the end of it, but it is difficult for football to develop if it is run this way.