The Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) has drawn a line under the controversy surrounding training allowances for national shuttlers preparing for next month’s Thai-hosted 33rd SEA Games, stressing that the association has no involvement with the missing funds.
The dispute over athletes’ allowances, which surfaced last month, prompted BAT president Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn to clarify the issue with the media after meeting top players Ratchanok “May” Intanon, Pornpawee Chochuwong, and Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the Banthongyord Badminton School on Sunday.
“I’m quite concerned about the news reports that have clearly affected the association’s reputation. I assure you that the BAT has never misappropriated the athletes’ allowances,” said the BAT president.
“Such funds are allocated by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and payments are made directly to the athletes based on physical test requirements. The association has no authority over the money.
“The allegations that the BAT cheated the athletes are completely false and have caused considerable damage to our reputation. We only act as a facilitator between the players and the SAT,” he added.
While reaffirming that the BAT has done nothing wrong, Air Chief Marshal Monthon said the association had decided to provide special financial support to boost the athletes’ morale and demonstrate its goodwill. He clarified that these supportive funds came from the association’s own budget, not from the SAT.
Thailand will host the 33rd SEA Games, the region's biennial multi-sport competition, from December 9–20 in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.
