Top officials from the Asian Football Confederation arrived in Bangkok ahead of the AFC Annual Award Bangkok 2017 this week.
The delegation, led by AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, a member of the royal family of Bahrain, and AFC secretary-general Windsor John of Malaysia, were welcomed by president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) Somyot Poompunmuang yesterday.
The AFC president and other officials will attend the opening ceremony of the High Performance Training Center at Bangkok Thonburi University tomorrow before attending the AFC Annual Award Bangkok 2017 at Aksra Theatre on Wednesday.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who is scheduled to jet into Bangkok tomorrow morning, will also take part in both events while some of the Fifa officials have already arrived on the same day as the AFC delegation.
Somyot was yesterday accompanied by FAT secretary-general Pol Lt Gen Pisan Jundilok and his deputy Patit Supapong.
Patit, who also serves as FAT spokesperson, said: "Today the Fifa and AFC delegates have began to arrive in Thailand for the opening ceremony of the High Performance Training Center and the AFC Annual Award Bangkok 2017.
"AFC president Sheikh Salman has flown in directly from Bahrain in his private jet and all of the FAT executives, led by FAT chief Somyot, were on hand to give him a warm welcome.
"Today is the beginning of a big week for Thai football with all the distinguished guests from Fifa and AFC attending two big events here.
"We're hoping to be a great host and impress everyone attending both events."
At the opening of the High Performance Training Center, former Manchester United stars Park Ji-Sung and Dwight Yorke will conduct a youth football clinic.
The youngsters will also have a chance to learn some new skills from former and current Thailand internationals such as goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool, Supachoke Sarachart, Chaowat Veerachat, Warut Wongsomsak and Kritsada Nontarat.
