Thailand pledges to 'not let a similar incident happen' with Vietnam's national flag mistake

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) posted information about the visit to Vietnam by the Thai delegation on October 29. Along with the apology, the Thai side pledged to "not let similar incidents happen" in the future.

FAT posted the moment Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwa (left) shook hands and apologized to VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan (middle) during a meeting in Hanoi on October 29 - Photo: FAT

In a press release posted on its Facebook page on the night of October 29, FAT reported on the visit of the Thai football delegation led by Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan, Vice President of the Football Association of Thailand.

FAT wrote: "Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan, FAT Vice President in charge of futsal and beach soccer, came to Hanoi (Vietnam) to apologize to the Vietnam Football Federation on October 29, 2025, after an error occurred in hanging the national flag at the draw ceremony for the 2025 Southeast Asian U19 Futsal Championship Finals in Thailand on October 28.

Immediately after the incident, FAT sent a letter of apology to the Vietnam Football Federation and the Southeast Asian Football Federation.

On October 29, FAT president Nualphan Lamsam also assigned Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan to personally apologize once again to express his sincerity. Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan affirmed that this incident was unintentional, due to personal error and he did not intend to offend the country and people of Vietnam.

FAT also announced that the meeting between Thai officials and VFF officials went well, with understanding and forgiveness.

FAT added: "During the meeting, Mr. Adisak Benjasiriwan had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan - President of Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Mr. Nguyen Van Phu - General Secretary of VFF, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Ha - Deputy General Secretary of VFF with the presence of Mr. Winston Lee - General Secretary of ASEAN Football Federation. The meeting went well.

The Vietnam Football Federation has understood this unexpected incident and the Thailand Football Federation is committed to not letting similar incidents happen in the future, as the host country of every important event that has been given the opportunity."

Previously on October 28, at the draw for the 2025 Southeast Asian U19 Futsal Championship in Thailand, the host country mistakenly placed the Vietnamese flag instead of the Chinese flag in the draw. This caused a lot of anger among Vietnamese fans.

VFF immediately sent a document to FAT and the Southeast Asian Football Federation requesting clarification of the matter. FAT President Nualphan Lamsam called VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan to apologize. At the same time, Thailand sent a letter and sent the FAT Vice President to Hanoi to apologize once again.

QUOC THANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thai-lan-cam-ket-khong-de-xay-ra-su-co-tuong-tu-vu-nham-quoc-ky-viet-nam-20251030091635144.htm