Junta engineers World Cup

As part of its goal to “return happiness to the Thai people,” the junta engineered a World Cup coup that will enable the country’s many soccer fans to watch all of the tournament’s 64 matches for free.

On Thursday, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission held a news conference to announce it had struck a 427 million baht ($13 million) compensation deal with RS so the entire World Cup can be shown on free channels.

The campaign has involved weekly free concerts that offer free food and free haircuts.

While soccer fans were bound to cheer the junta for its World Cup freebie, not all Thais expressed happiness with the decision.

“I don’t watch soccer, so I disagree with spending millions of baht to let everyone watch the World Cup for free,” said Supanan Thaodai, a 27-year-old freelance art director.