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Thai and South Korean media are paying close attention to the highly anticipated return of coach Park Hang-seo, following his decision to accept an offer to lead Kanchanaburi Power FC in Thai League 2.
Park and Kanchanaburi Power confirmed a two-year contract on Monday, marking Park's return to professional coaching since parting ways with the Vietnam national team in January 2023.
The move is considered particularly noteworthy given that Kanchanaburi Power were just recently relegated from Thai League 1.
"Thai League is in frenzy," Goal Thailand headlined.
Siam Sport, one of Thailand's leading sports outlets, and Think Curve, a famous local football fan page, described Park's appointment as the biggest shock in the regional football.
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Coach Park Hang-seo (R) in a photo with the daughter of the president of Kanchanaburi Power FC. Photo by Facebook/Prawat Kithammakunit |
Kanchanaburi, founded in 2017, experienced a rapid ascent, winning the Thai League 3 Western Region in the 2022-2023 season, finishing fourth in Thai League 2 the following year, and ultimately earning promotion to the top flight after two play-off matches.
However, their debut season in the Thai League 1 was disastrous. The club burned through four different coaches and with the constant leadership changes, the team finished last and were relegated.
Despite the setback, the club's management remains heavily committed to the South Korean football philosophy. They have cited the regional success of Vietnam under Park Hang-seo and Kim Sang-sik, as well as Indonesia's recent rise under Shin Tae-yong, as their inspiration.
Park is widely considered a hero in Vietnam. Arriving in late 2017, he immediately resurrected a football scene that had hit rock bottom. Under his tenure, Vietnam secured a silver medal at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, won the 2018 AFF Cup, claimed back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in 2019 and 2021, and reached the third round of World Cup qualifiers for the first time in history.
Throughout his stint, Vietnam consistently dominated Southeast Asia and maintained a spot in FIFA's top 100 rankings.
Four things Park can bring to the club
According to Siam Sport, while relegation was a heartbreaking end to Kanchanaburi's season, the appointment of Park instantly opens a new chapter and a more formidable version. The publication highlighted four key areas where the "Park Hang-seo effect" will immediately transform the club.
First is the introduction of fighting spirit. Coach Park is famous for building teams that boast an unyielding will to win. His tight tactical formations, prioritizing results, solid defensive lines and fast transitional play demand the highest level of discipline and physical fitness.
"This is a crucial test to see how well the club can adapt and respond to the Korean football philosophy," the newspaper wrote.
Secondly, Kanchanaburi will now boast arguably the strongest coaching staff in the league. Park is bringing a highly specialized South Korean crew with him, including two assistant coaches, a fitness coach, a goalkeeping coach and a tactical analyst. This comprehensive application of sports science will maximize the players' potential and build a solid foundation for long-term development.
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Kanchanaburi Power FC chairman Prawat Kithammakuni (L) meets coach Park Hang-seo (C) to negotiate a contract in South Korea in May 2026. Photo by Kanchanaburi Power FC |
Third is a renewed focus on youth development. Kanchanaburi previously signed a strategic cooperation agreement with K-League 1 powerhouse FC Seoul. Club president Prawat Kithammakunit believes that coach Park will lay a new foundation for the club.
"I want children in the province not to have to leave home to pursue their dreams, because we are building a stage right in their hometown," Kithammakunit wrote on Facebook.
Finally, Park's name will elevate the league. Siam Sport predicts a massive surge in commercial value, media coverage and fan attendance for Thai League 2. Every match Kanchanaburi plays will now be treated as a big game.
The South Korean press has also widely praised the move, labeling it a "wise decision" by the veteran coach. The deal has garnered significant interest because Park is attempting to conquer the Thai football market, a league that has historically heavily favored Japanese tacticians over Korean ones.
"Coach Park wants to keep his promise by choosing a new destination instead of Vietnam or Korea, where he has previously achieved success," Osen wrote.
Joongang Ilbo framed the move as a bold challenge: "The move to Thai League 2 is a direct strike aimed at pioneering Thai football, a market traditionally considered highly challenging for Korean coaches."
