Thailand trying to get one-year ban on flying flag shortened

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

THAILAND IS LOOKING to have a one-year ban on the flying of its national flag at world tournament finals shortened as a relevant executive decree is going to be enforced in near future.

The executive decree will be issued within next month to keep Thailand in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency rules prohibiting the use of drugs by all athletes, said a source at Government House today (Dec. 21).

Nevertheless, Thailand will lodge a plea for WADA to shorten the one-year penalty imposed since last October after this anti-doping law is enforced in this country from next month, according to the government source.

On Sunday, the Thai flag was banned from being raised and flying on the pole at the Total Energies BWF World Championships in Spain after a couple of Thai badminton players had defeated their Japanese rivals in the mixed-double final.

In place of the banned Thai flag, a pennant of the Badminton Association of Thailand fluttered alongside the flying Japanese flag above the athletes during an awarding ceremony.

The Thai flag will likely be banned at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 final on January 1 even if the Thai national soccer team win as well.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan who concurrently chairs the Olympic Committee of Thailand has been taken to task for apparently failing to manage to have the anti-doping law enforced in time.

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Dechapol Poorwaranukhro and Sapsiri Taeratanachai after winning the mixed-double badminton final. Photos: Thai Rath

Also read: Prawit blamed for Thai flag ban at world badminton final