The Thai government hosted a gala dinner for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and representatives from FIFA member countries attending the 74th Annual FIFA Congress in Thailand.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presided over the event at the Santi Maitree Building, Government House. Notable figures in attendance included Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA, Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand, Arsène Wenger, former Arsenal manager, and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of Leicester City Football Club.
The Prime Minister guided the FIFA President through a showcase of local snacks and OTOP products. The evening continued with a formal dinner and welcome speeches. The Prime Minister presented Infantino with a white Hanuman head as a souvenir, while Infantino gifted the Prime Minister a FIFA football jersey with the name and number 30, symbolizing Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister.
After the welcome address, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to FIFA for selecting Thailand as the host for this significant event. He highlighted that Thailand is honored to be the first ASEAN country to host the FIFA Congress, which includes the vote to select the host for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Prime Minister remarked that football is a game played by all genders and nations with equality, serving as a tool for unity and youth development. He was delighted to welcome over 3,000 key figures from the football world, representing 211 countries across six continents, marking a historic international meeting in Thailand.
The Prime Minister emphasized that this event is an opportunity for the football community to witness Thailand’s capabilities and readiness, reaffirming the country’s strides towards hosting the World Cup. (NNT)
