Park Hang-seo erupts over “Kimchi man” insult, clenches fist ... racism scandal rocks Thai football

[Financial News] Park Hang-seo, manager of Kanchanaburi Power FC in Thailand’s professional football league, became the target of outrageous racism inside a stadium. In response to the excessive insults directed at Park, a major figure in Southeast Asian football, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) immediately launched an investigation.
The controversy erupted on the 1st at Nong Prue Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand. It came immediately after the match between Kanchanaburi and Pattaya United in the ninth round of the 2026–2027 Thai League 2 season ended in a 2–2 draw. As Park headed to the locker room after the hard-fought game, a man believed to be a fan of the opposing team repeatedly shouted profanities and the racist slur “Kimchi man,” used to demean Koreans.
As Park passed near the touchline, he initially tried to brush it off by putting a finger to his lips in a gesture telling the person to be quiet. But when the outrageous taunting continued, he eventually lost his temper. Park expressed his anger forcefully, making a fist toward the stands and shouting for the person to come down immediately.
Fortunately, officials and staff from both teams intervened quickly, averting the worst-case scenario of a physical altercation. However, the spectator was reportedly also directing insulting remarks at Kanchanaburi players, not just Park, drawing disapproving looks from those at the scene.
As the incident escalated, Thai football authorities moved quickly to contain it. Nualphan Lamsam, president of the Football Association of Thailand, issued an official statement on the 2nd (local time) and promptly instructed the tournament’s organizing team to gather relevant information and review the matter. The association made clear that it would treat the incident seriously, saying, “We firmly oppose discrimination wherever it occurs, both inside and outside stadiums, including on social media (SNS).”
Kanchanaburi, Park’s club, also issued a statement immediately. The club strongly condemned the racism that had sullied the stadium, saying, “Football is a sport that brings people around the world together. Everyone, no matter who they are, where they come from or what their skin color is, is precious and deserves equal respect.”
Football fans around the world are watching closely to see what disciplinary action Thai football authorities will take over the vile act of racism committed on the field.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter