Akaranan sets 7-day deadline to resolve school football dispute
Deputy Education Minister visits Phuttharangsi Piboon School in Chachoengsao for over 3 hours to address the cancelled MOU with Tangmo United football club.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Deputy Education Minister spent over 3 hours inspecting Phuttharangsi Piboon School in Chachoengsao
- Addressed the dispute over the school's cancellation of the MOU with Tangmo United football club
- Imposed a 7-day deadline for both parties to negotiate and draft a new MOU
- Stressed that the best interests of students and educational safety must remain the absolute priority
On October 13, 2026, Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Akaranan Kannakitinan, accompanied by Ministry Assistant Ms. Linthiporn Warinwatchararoj and advisor Ms. Parami Waijongcharoen, visited Phuttharangsi Piboon School in Chachoengsao province. The visit aimed to investigate the facts behind the school's announcement to terminate its Memorandum of Understanding with the Phuttharangsi Piboon football club, also known as "Tangmo United," managed by Mr. Sakon Kleangprasert. The ministry delegation spent over three hours conducting separate closed-door discussions with all involved parties.
During the visit, the Deputy Minister held separate meetings to listen to perspectives from both sides, starting with parents and representatives of the Tangmo United football club, followed by teachers and school personnel. The football club representatives explained their initial involvement in helping revive the school when enrollment numbers were declining, citing private sector support. However, they raised concerns regarding administrative conflicts, inappropriate remarks from the school director, and disputes over student admission and credit transfer procedures.
Such conflicts between educational institutions and independent sports clubs highlight the governance challenges in public-private partnerships, particularly in regional schools experiencing declining enrollment that rely on specialized sports programs to attract students. Without clearly defined operational boundaries and regulatory compliance from the outset, tensions easily arise between tenured academic staff and external athletic coaches regarding administrative authority and institutional culture.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, parent representatives expressed frustration and emphasized their primary hope is for students and football athletes to continue their education and training smoothly, as the children aspire to pursue professional football careers. Conversely, school teachers raised concerns regarding curriculum management, mid-term transfer procedures that bypassed registrar approvals, and safety worries following recent tense confrontations on social media and school grounds.
"If everyone puts the children first today, there will naturally be an answer. But if everyone puts themselves first, there will never be an answer, even if ten ministries step in."
Akaranan Kannakitinan
Following the discussions, Mr. Akaranan concluded that the Ministry of Education will review the gathered documentation and grant both sides a seven-day window to negotiate and draft a new MOU. He emphasized that schools must remain safe environments and that all stakeholders must compromise to ensure students' educational opportunities are protected. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled within a week to finalize a clear and workable resolution.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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