Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) has signed a MOU with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT)

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Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) has signed a MOU with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to promote and support the cooperation in establishing an alternative sport dispute resolution center in accordance with international standards for the first time.

On 10 July 2020, Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) which is an institute that provides international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution services, has officially announced a cooperation with the Sports Authority of Thailand with the purpose of establishing an alternative sport dispute resolution center to provide dispute resolution services through conciliation and arbitration conducted by those who are knowledgeable in the particular sports. This is in order to make the dispute resolution services more convenient, faster, with quality in accordance with international standards.

Both agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for exchange of academic knowledge as well as to develop, promote, and train in order to provide personnel with expertise and ready to be the alternative dispute resolution operator in sports as both mediator and arbitrator. The common goals of this MOU are to study and research any knowledge and also to proceed with the alternative dispute resolution related to sports in addition to the litigation process in the court, to manage the alternative disputes in accordance with international standards, as well as to draft the laws and regulations to support and lead to the establishment of an alternative sport dispute resolution center. This is in order to facilitate and reduce the steps for faster and more convenient process compared to the traditional dispute resolution process. The signing ceremony of this memorandum of understanding was held at the 4th floor, Theater Hall, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

Dr. Pasit Asawawattanaporn, the Director of Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) said that the signing ceremony of this memorandum of understanding was held because, at present, the alternative dispute resolution through conciliation and arbitration are widely used in foreign countries due to several advantages, including flexibility, convenience, speed and it can also maintain the relationships between the disputing parties, etc. Sport disputes can be found both at the national and international levels, and these types of disputes often require the award in a short time and must be handled by specialists.

However, at present, Thailand does not have any organization or agency that is dedicated to alternative dispute resolution in sports. The organization responsible for dispute resolution is the World Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the headquarters locates in Lausanne, Switzerland. In the event that a sport dispute arises, it will take a lot of time and money and it may be a disadvantage for Thailand.

Nowadays, many leader countries in sports have established the sport-related dispute resolution centers such as England and Canada. THAC anticipates that the establishment of the said dispute resolution center is an internationally accepted and popular approach and will be very useful for the sport industry of Thailand.

This memorandum of understanding would enhance the effectiveness of dispute resolution at national and international levels by establishing the sport dispute resolution center in order to resolve sports-related disputes and to provide training for personnel development to be proficient in sport dispute resolution. Therefore, establishing a sport dispute resolution center will provide a faster, convenient and effective dispute resolution in accordance with international standards.