The Public Relations Department (PRD) is continuing negotiations with Fifa over the cost of broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup, with the government insisting the final price must be reasonable and justifiable to the public or it will withdraw, a cabinet minister said.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi said the department recently held talks with Fifa regarding licensing terms and broadcasting fees for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The negotiations follow a cabinet resolution on May 12 assigning the PRD as the lead agency responsible for coordinating the acquisition of broadcasting rights for Thailand.
Ms Supamas said preliminary talks have yet to reach a conclusion because the proposed licensing fee remains excessively high compared with prices offered to other countries. "We have submitted a new proposal for price negotiations and are now waiting to see whether the fee can be reduced," she said.
She added that any agreed amount must be one the government can clearly explain and justify to taxpayers.
"If the price is not worthwhile and cannot be justified to the public, the budget should instead be used for other purposes," she said, adding economic issues and the public's cost of living remain priorities, especially amid economic impacts linked to disruptions in strategic shipping routes.
The government says the rights fee alone would cost about 1.3 billion baht, with taxes adding another 300 million baht and operational expenses estimated at 100 million baht, bringing the total to more than 1.7 billion baht.
Ms Supamas also noted that World Cup matches would be held mainly during late-night and early-morning hours in Thailand, limiting opportunities for restaurants, pubs and bars to benefit from public screenings.
Commercial sponsors have also shown little interest because of the time difference.
