The association collaborates with BYD Thailand to organize the “BYD VARIENCE COURSE”.
Upgrading VAR refereeing in preparation for the start of the Thai League 2026/27 season.
The Football Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, in collaboration with BYD Auto (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Revรฉ Automotive Co., Ltd., the official distributor and after-sales service provider of BYD and Denza new energy vehicles in Thailand, under the Revรฉ business group and the official main sponsor of the Thai national football team, is preparing to organize the “BYD VAR EXELLENCE COURSE” to train, review, and develop the capabilities of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) referees in 2026. The training will take place from August 24–28, 2026, at the VAR laboratory of the Football Association of Thailand.
This training is a crucial part of preparing VAR personnel for the BYD C-Lions Six League One (Thai League 1) and BYD C-Seal Five League Two (Thai League 2) professional football seasons of 2026/27, scheduled to begin in September. Participants will be able to apply the knowledge, skills, and experience gained from the training to their duties throughout the new season.
The “BYD VAR EXELLENCE COURSE” aims to review the latest Laws of the Game and VAR Protocol, as well as develop incident analysis skills and improve decision-making speed, in order to provide more accurate and efficient performance in real-world situations.
Furthermore, the program aims to improve communication efficiency between VAR referees and on-field referees, as well as simulate technical problem-solving scenarios and situations under pressure that may occur during actual matches. This will enable officials to handle various situations quickly and systematically.
The training covers both theoretical and practical aspects. The theoretical part includes updates on IFAB regulations, clip analysis, and a review of communication principles, while the practical part utilizes a VAR simulator to simulate real-world match situations, both offline and short matches.
The project involves a total of 104 participants, who are personnel who will be performing duties in the Thai League 1 and Thai League 2 competitions.
There are 44 VAR (Video Assistant Referee) referees.
There are 52 Assistant Video Assistant Referees (AVAR) certified referees.
Six Replay Operators (ROs) are required.
Two trainers and training staff members.
The training will take place from August 24–28, 2026. The theoretical part will be held in the Association's meeting room, while the practical part will be held at the VAR Simulator room of the Football Association of Thailand.
Participants in the program will be assessed in both knowledge and practice through pre-tests and post-tests, as well as evaluated in a simulator room on event analysis, communication, and the use of VAR tools, to ensure that they are well-prepared before being used in actual matches.
Upon completion of the project, an evaluation of the trainees will be conducted, and a project report will be compiled to serve as data for the continuous development and improvement of the performance standards of VAR referees. This upgrading of VAR personnel is therefore not just preparation for the new season, but a crucial mechanism for establishing effective performance standards, building confidence among football clubs, players, media, and fans in the Thai professional football league's officiating system, and continuously elevating performance to meet international standards.
The Referee Development Department of the Football Association of Thailand believes that the “BYD VAR EXELLENCE COURSE” will be a crucial part in preparing VAR and AVAR referees before entering the BYD C-Lion Six League One (Thai League 1) and BYD C-Seal Five League Two (Thai League 2) 2026/27 seasons. The aim is to ensure that referees understand the current rules and VAR protocols, maintain consistent standards of work, and can effectively apply the knowledge gained from the training in their actual duties.
