His very own ‘field of dreams’
B uriramUnited football club chairman Newin Chidchob has given no indication that he might return to politics, although his image and administrative skills would no doubt come in useful to further some important political causes.
For the moment he continues to defy the political pundits and is keeping his eye on putting the country’s footballers on the regional and international sports map.
The former Buri Ram politician believes Thailand could become one of the top 10 football teams in Asia under the guidance of the new president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang.
Just months after he retired as national police chief at the end of September, Pol Gen Somyot got another top job when he comfortably won the election for FAT president last month.
Mr Newin had reportedly backed Pol Gen Somyot throughout his election bid.
The pair are known to have had close ties since Mr Newin was actively involved in politics and wielded considerable political influence. The Buri Ram politician is former leader of a once-powerful faction of the now-defunct People Power Party. The faction was instrumental in the rise of the Democrat Party when its leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, was elected prime minister in 2009.
Pol Gen Somyot’s fresh foray into football is said to have the support of those in power and many hope he will improve the football scene which has been long dominated by influential networks.
Today, Mr Newin busies himself with taking his Buriram United “Thunder Castle” on tours to tournaments abroad to boost the players’ experience, after previously inviting foreign teams to Buriram’s home ground, I-Mobile Stadium.
Mr Newin and his team are also working to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries through football by hosting friendly matches and giving youngsters from Cambodia a chance to join Buriram’s academy of young players. Funding has also been given regularly to support younger players from neighbouring countries.
Mr Newin’s latest project, however, has jolted the nerves of conservatives. The project involves the installation of a series of sculptures depicting the explicit Kama Sutra sex positions and a phallic stone column at a public park in central Buri Ram, causing quite a stir.
The pictures of the sculptures have gone viral on social media, drawing mixed reaction.
Mr Newin considered that the more this project was criticised, the more successful it would become as it helps promote his home province of Buri Ram, according to a source close to him.
The project is expected to become Buri Ram’s major landmark, in addition to having Thailand’s largest Fifa-certified football stadium and the Chang International Circuit (CIC), the country’s first major motor circuit.
Although Mr Newin remains out of the political spotlight, and has refrained from commenting on political issues relating to the drafting of the new constitution, or the military regime’s perceived move to extend its power beyond the next general election, he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Mr Newin has built up a base of staunch supporters through his football club, which in turn could have significant implications on politics in the future.
Politically observers note the Buri Ram power broker could play a key role in drumming up support in his home province as well as in other northeastern provinces for the draft charter during the referendum on the document in July.