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Thailand has its fair share of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt to public unrest over the next month, the ruling military junta has national broadcasters to all games of the soccer World Cup for free. Many Thais are under curfew but the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can World Cup games for free. This will poorer Thais who could not afford the special digital box to view the games. The NCPO that all matches would be for free on the army-owned stations. It is not such good news for the satellite channel RS, which over $20 million for the broadcasting rights.

NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha the move is to " happiness to the Thai people". It is part of the junta's "happiness campaign" at winning hearts and minds following last month's coup. The campaign has also free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also to subsidise farmers, the costs of basic foods and start major infrastructure projects. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a late-night curfew in most of the country. Thailand’s national team is 149th in the world rankings and has never for the World Cup Finals. The tournament on June the 12th and will on July the 13th.