Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has given an ultimatum to the football chief, saying he should be sacked if the Thai team fail to lift a trophy at the next Southeast Asian Games.
Gen Prawit delivered the stern warning during a meeting of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand on Tuesday with representatives of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) among the attendants.
"Our football team cannot afford to lose at the SEA Games," said Gen Prawit, who is the committee chairman.
"If the team lose, the FAT president will be dismissed," he warned. "Please bear this in mind."
The War Elephants won the AFF Suzuki Cup last year, but they showed mediocre performances since then.
The team failed to claim the SEA Games men's football gold medal after they lost to host Vietnam in May. The team also had to settle for third place at the King's Cup in Chiang Mai last month.
The 32nd SEA Games will be held in Cambodia in May next year.
Gen Prawit urged the FAT to redeem the confidence of Thai fans in their team.
"The FAT must make Thai people proud of the Thai football team again," he added.
FAT president Somyot Poompanmoung said on Tuesday he was not under pressure from the deputy prime minister's remark and will use it as a motivation to lead the team to success.
Pol Gen Somyot said he did not cling to his position and would not stand in the way of his successor.
"I have to thank Gen Prawit for his guidance, and I am willing to take it," said the former national police chief.
