During the past decade, Thai politics was widespread with tension. From color-coded conflicts, the Assembly of the Poor, a spate of communities, political polarization and the establishment of factions that rolled with the political tide, the whole nation was in complete chaos.
With all that was happening, Newin Chidchob played a pivotal role in the country's political climate change.
In light of Newin's recent 64th birthday, Main Stand walks you through how a veteran politician turned into a significant contributor to Buriram United Football Club and even Thailand's sports scene.
Becoming the 120-baht canvasser
Thai people generally view Newin as respectable and warm-hearted. However, Newin's past was far from what he is today.
Before making his mark with sports, the Buriram United Football Club chairman spent two decades in Thailand's bear-pit political arena, trading favors and switching teams just in time to land on the winning side.
"It's over, boss," he famously told his former friend and ex-Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by phone in 2008 after throwing his weight behind the rival Democrats. That was the mercenary move that earned him the moniker The Kingmaker.
Newin was later banned from politics for alleged vote-buying and retreated to Buriram. He was nicknamed "a 120-baht canvasser" because he was caught red-handed bribing people to vote for him in the 1995 general election, evidenced by 100-baht and 20-baht notes attached to his candidate's card.
To understand Newin, one must also understand that his father, Chai Chidchob, paved the way for him to enter politics by sending him to Suankularb Wittayalai secondary school, which offers students a better education than Buriram.
Thanks to his father and the political connection he has made, Newin eventually managed to serve as the Constituency 1 Buriram Representative in 1988.
In his political career, Newin was a decisive and never-say-die person, not fearing anyone. Beyond that, he founded the Sing Thong group and served as a guardian to ensure order.
Although most in the capital did not approve of Newin, his traits won over rural-based voters' hearts. He had a big heart and always offered people help, even though his rough characteristics made him look aggressive and impolite.
Not only was he a good leader, but he was also an excellent follower. Unfortunately, with the traits he carried, his devotion led him to be prone to sharp criticism and an eventual ban from politics.
However, thanks to his passion for football, he bid farewell from politics for good and turned his focus to managing Buriram United, which he has served as chairman since September 2009.
Farewell politics, hello, football
No one ever thought Newin's political path would be the same after that famous statement. From a politician who had bouts of criticizing the way the government works based on in-depth information, he kept a low political profile by becoming a patron instead.
So, after announcing to quit politics on his 54th birthday to concentrate on Buriram United, the club is currently the top team in the Land of Smiles.
Newin transformed a rural club the club into a regional powerhouse. The Thunder Castle have won seven Thai League championships, six League Cup trophies and five FA Cup titles. They also became just one of two teams from Thailand to reach the quarter-finals of the revamped Asian Champions League tournament.
"From now on, I will spend the rest of my life with my family, football team, and big bikes," Newin, often seen cruising through town on his Ducati, told.
In addition, he also established a 1,400-acre Chang International Circuit in Buriram.
With all that he has done, no wonder Newin is considered the Godfather of Buriram.
Even without an official political post, Newin has the type of influence to get things done.
For instance, following his request, Thai football teams are now allowed to terminate footballers' contracts if they experience any loss in form.
Newin is dearly loved and respected by locals in Buriram as he brought the boom to the city and provided them with jobs and income.
The stadiums and circuits have created thousands of jobs, with 5,000 new hotel rooms and hundreds of restaurants built in their wake.
The above testament shows that Newin is unquestionably a crucial player in Thai football and Thai sport.
The phrase, "It's over, boss," might end Newin's political career, but it is the end of something to begin something new – football and sport in totality.
Sources:
หนังสือ การเมืองว่าด้วยการเลือกตั้ง: วาทกรรม อำนาจและพลวัตชนบทไทย
หนังสือ ชาวนาการเมือง อำนาจในเศรษฐกิจชนบทสมัยใหม่ของไทย
https://web.archive.org/web/20091203132504/http://www.posttoday.com/breakingnews.php?id=78752
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWSB3zVgwko
