The Thai Football Association has issued a lifetime ban to Thai referee Mr. Somsak Poosomnuek for using a racial slur in Thai, equivalent to the N-word (‘Ai Dam’), against Abdulkordiri Hamid, a Thai-Ghanaian football player fluent in Thai, during a third division game. In his defense, he claimed it wasn’t racist, pointing to his own darker skin tone compared to the typical Thai individual. Additionally, he noted that his friends have consistently referred to him as ‘Ai Dam’ throughout his life.
Source:
https://www.siamsport.co.th/football-thailand/thaileague-3/35815/
https://www.siamsport.co.th/football-thailand/thaileague-3/37131/
Dont know the historical/social context of the word but thats such a dumb excuse. I’ve seen here a picture of the ref and him claiming he is darker is the same as someone northern european claiming he is nearly black after a week in Mallorca. Dude looks slightly more tan than most Thai and even that is debatable.
Like, what a regard. At least get yourself not a regarded excuse.