Badminton stars Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon and Pornpawee Chochuwong received compensation for their previously deducted training allowances from the president of the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT), Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn, on Sunday.
Drama erupted when it was reported that Kunlavut and Ratchanok, who will participate in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in December, had their training allowances reduced from 60,000 baht to 6,000 baht after they missed the mandatory fitness tests due to international competitions.
Pornpawee then dropped the bombshell when she withdrew from the SEA Games team last week, citing management issues and the suspension of her allowance.
However Pornpawee, the women’s world No.6 and Thailand’s No.1 player, reversed her decision after a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow.
Air Chief Marshal Monthon on Sunday clarified that it was not up to the BAT to deduct the athletes’ allowances.
“National athletes receive their allowances from the Sports Authority of Thailand and it is the SAT who sets the rules. The claim that the association deducts money from athletes is therefore untrue,” he said.
“What’s troubling me as the president of the Badminton Association of Thailand is that this news has affected the athletes, who will compete in the upcoming SEA Games. Even worse, some people have accused the association of taking money from athletes, which is a complete lie and has damaged the credibility of the association.”