Chaos in Thai Olympic Presidential election! Candidate walks out

The incident took place during the 2024 Annual General Assembly of the NOCT at its headquarters on Si Ayutthaya Road.

The key agenda of the meeting included the election of the NOCT Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term and the selection of the new NOCT president.

At 9.30am, the meeting commenced with the attendance of the current executive team and the two presidential candidates—Suchai , President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, and Associate Professor Pimol Srivikorn, President of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand.

However, at around 11am, minor chaos broke out when Suchai and his team walked out of the meeting without giving any statements to the press. However, the meeting continued as scheduled.

Pimol Srivikorn

Suchai Pornchaisakudom

Later, General Vitch Devahasdin Na Ayutthaya also walked out of the meeting, citing the unfair selection of Olympic athletes eligible to vote.

Vitch, in his capacity as Secretary-General of the NOCT, told the media that if the presidential election remains unfair, it should be annulled. He noted that more than half of the eligible voting members walked out, making it impossible to proceed with the election. A new election is expected to be held by the end of March in accordance with sports regulations.

" If the other side proceeds with the election, a complaint may be filed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or the Administrative Court," he said.

The controversy stemmed from the voting rights granted to two new Olympic athletes instead of Kaew Pongprayoon, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist, who was not given the right to vote.

Supporters of Suchai strongly opposed this decision, arguing that it was unfair. However, Professor Charoen Wattanasin, the election chairman, refused to reconsider, leading to the walkout.

As per the original schedule, the meeting was set to vote on the number of executive board members for the 2025-2029 term, which was proposed to be between 25 and 37 members. The final number would be determined by the General Assembly before the official voting process.

In the afternoon session, the newly elected executive board from the morning vote would convene to elect the 16 key leadership positions, including:

Vitch DEVAHASDIN

1 President of the NOCT

8 Vice Presidents

1 Secretary-General

4 Deputy Secretaries-General

1 Treasurer

1 Assistant Treasurer

The General Assembly consists of 49 members from four groups, each with one vote:

37 representatives from national sports associations with full membership

1 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member (Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul)

2 Olympic athlete representatives

9 distinguished experts

The full-member national sports associations eligible to vote include: Polo, Sepak Takraw, Ski & Snowboard, Modern Pentathlon, Rugby, Shooting, Boxing, Basketball, Golf, Ice Hockey, Figure & Speed Skating, Handball, Taekwondo, Rowing, Triathlon, Baseball, Equestrian, Softball, Fencing, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Sailing, Cycling, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Bowling, Swimming, Clay Target Shooting, Judo, Field Hockey, Gymnastics, Football, Volleyball, Badminton, Athletics, Archery, and Sport Climbing.