Bangkok: The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has issued a stern warning to the Thai national team participating in the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, Governor of SAT, emphasized the importance of responsible social media use to avoid actions that could contravene Japanese regulations or violate local laws.

According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Kongsak reiterated the need for athletes and officials to be vigilant on social media, urging them to avoid posting defamatory content or engaging in activities that breach the organizing committee's rules or Japanese laws. Specific cautions include refraining from live streaming, video recording, or using images that could infringe on competition copyrights, as well as avoiding unconstructive or disrespectful comments towards Japan or other competitors. Japan upholds strict laws concerning privacy and online defamation.

The Governor expressed confidence in the discipline and respectfulness of Thai athletes, who have historically maintained a commendable track record of adhering to host country regulations. "I am confident that no one will break the law or violate the regulations of the organizing committee," he stated.

Dr. Kongsak acknowledged the inevitability of online criticism that athletes might face, emphasizing the difficulty in preventing responses to such criticism. He advised athletes to disregard negative comments and focus on their performance during the competition.

In preparation for the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games, Japan has partnered with global social media platforms, deploying AI systems and teams to monitor and eliminate cyberbullying and manage strict copyright controls around the clock. This initiative aims to safeguard athletes' mental health and uphold the integrity of digital content.

#CT#General/CT#