While his team failed to advance from the Asian Cup’s group stage, Thailand striker Teerasil Dangda has his own reasons to celebrate.
Thai officials announced on on Wednesday that Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister and new Manchester City owner, had secured trials with the team for Dangda and two of his teammates, defenders Suree Sukha and Kiatprawut Saiwaeo. Shinawatra has repeatedly insisted that his takeover of the embattled club will help to improve Thai football as well.
Shinawatra’s announcement provided ammunition to analysts who claim that Shinawatra’s sudden interest in the game is a ploy to improve his image in Thailand, where he was removed from office in a bloodless coup last year.
