Thai-language media cries foul, reflects bitterness over loss

The Straits Times, February 2, 2007



BANGKOK - THAI-LANGUAGE media yesterday cried foul over the country's loss to Singapore in Wednesday's Asean Football Championship match.

By Nirmal Ghosh, THAILAND CORRESPONDENT



Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg of the final, a match marred by a 15-minute walkout by the Thais, who were unhappy over the referee's decision to award Singapore a penalty.

Both major English-language papers here gave the event front-page coverage yesterday. The Nation's ran under the headline 'Controversial penalty trips Thailand', while the Bangkok Post went with 'Thais walk off pitch in huff, Singapore wins 2-1'.

But reports in the Thai-language newspapers were more scathing and reflected bitterness at the loss.

'Thailand embittered, Singapore, referee collude to rob victory' was the headline in the Thai Rath, which claims a circulation of about one million readers.

'Thailand lose to referee making up penalty, spoon-feeding Singapore a 2-1 win,' said Kom Chad Leuk, while the Daily News headline read: 'Singapore flexes muscle, Malaysian referee helps beat Thailand'.

Both the Thai Post and the Kao Sod daily went with the line that the penalty was unfair.

The Manager newspaper, which is owned by maverick publisher Sondhi Limthongkul, who spearheaded protests against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last year, went further with a political twist to the match: 'Coach Rang says Temasek robbed our victory'.

Anti-Singapore sentiment has been simmering in Thailand ever since the deal one year ago in which Mr Thaksin's family sold their stakes in telco giant Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings, walking away with tax-free gains.

Small protests have been held recently outside the Singapore Embassy here in the wake of the diplomatic spat, after Mr Thaksin visited Singapore last month and had a private meeting with Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar.

Anti-Singapore sentiment is not pervasive among ordinary Thais, but Wednesday's match results may have changed that, and Sunday's return leg in Bangkok could see Thai nationalist feelings take a nastier turn.

Bangkok-born taxi driver Thongchai Prasertporn told The Straits Times: 'Last night was the Temasek Cup, not the Asean Cup - and the only Thai that cheered Singapore was Thaksin Shinawatra.

'I did not watch the game, but I will go on Sunday because it will be Thailand's revenge.'
Police are gearing up for possible disturbances at the second-leg match, where some 55,000 spectators are expected.

Police Colonel Thanankit Boonyasingha told The Straits Times: 'We had a meeting with the Football Association of Thailand yesterday, but after that game we will have another meeting again tomorrow morning.

'I think we have to deploy more security forces because Singaporeans have booked about 2,000 tickets.'