The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) praised Park Hang-seo in a post on its official Facebook page on 22 October 2026, showcasing how Kanchanaburi Power's youth teams are adopting the Korean coach's methods for the Prime Minister's Youth Cup (PMYC). The tribute is notable because the former Vietnam head coach is under pressure in Thai League 2 and has clashed repeatedly with Thai football and its referees.
What the FAT post said
Tuổi Trẻ and Bongda24h report that the post, opening with the words Gangnam Style, described how Kanchanaburi is applying Park's philosophy ahead of the PMYC. According to Dân trí's Vietnamese rendering, the FAT described Park's approach as lively and distinctly Korean, built on discipline and high physical intensity in training and in matches.
Park's role needs stating precisely: he coaches Kanchanaburi's first team and does not run the youth sides. Most of the praise came from Thanat, a coach in charge of the club's youth teams, who said Park leads the senior side but sets a philosophy that every team at the club follows, according to Tuổi Trẻ. Since Park arrived, Thanat said, young players train with more intensity, show better discipline and prepare more seriously for a professional career.
The 2026/27 PMYC has U14, U16 and U18 categories, with entries open from 1 to 31 October 2026. Kanchanaburi's U16s aim to reach the national stage, although Thanat admitted that representing a professional club gives opponents extra motivation.
Background: pressure at Kanchanaburi
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Park agrees a two-year deal, tasked with returning the club to Thai League 1 |
| 13 October 2026 | Kanchanaburi beat Police Tero in round 5 of Thai League 2 |
| 22 October 2026 | FAT publishes its post praising Park |
| After 7 rounds | Kanchanaburi sixth on 10 points, 5 behind the leaders |
Our timeline draws on Tuổi Trẻ, Bongda24h and Bongdaplus. Dân trí adds that beyond promotion in 2026-2027, the club hopes Park can eventually turn it into a challenger to Buriram United for the Thai League 1 title.
Off the pitch, Bongdaplus lists disputes with referees and a contentious remark about Thai football often coming off second best against Vietnam, and Tuổi Trẻ says Park has had to apologise at least once for his comments.
Why Vietnamese fans are watching
Park is a former Vietnam head coach, and his comments on the Vietnam-Thailand rivalry are part of why Thai fans have turned on him. That the FAT itself chose to highlight his influence on youth development is therefore striking; Bongda24h reads it as a sign his work is being noticed beyond the first team.
What comes next
Park's real test remains the promotion race in Thai League 2 in 2026/27, where Kanchanaburi need to climb from sixth. At youth level, the club's U14, U16 and U18 teams head into the PMYC once entries close on 31 October 2026.