Thai federation president quits before Asian Cup

Bangkok March 9 (Reuters) - The president of Thailand's soccer federation has quit just four months before the country co-hosts the Asian Cup finals, soccer officials said today.

Vijit Getkaew, who has held the Football Association of Thailand's (FAT) top post for the last 12 years, gave no reason for the decision in a letter submitted yesterday.

''He has given his resignation, but we do not know the reasons for him leaving,'' a FAT official told Reuters.

His resignation came 10 days before the FAT's general assembly and four months before the Kingdom co-hosts the Asian Cup along with Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Thailand have been drawn in Group A of the July 7-29 tournament with Australia, Iraq and Oman.

Vijit is believed to have been under pressure after finding himself at the centre of a series of disputes between executive members of the FAT.

In an interview last week with the mass-circulation Thai Rath newspaper, Vijit said he was disheartened after being regularly blamed for the failures of the Thai national team, but denied reports he would quit.

He took charge in 1995 after the arrest of FAT president Chalor Kerdthet, a top police general, on charges of masterminding the abduction and murder of a gem trader's wife and son in an attempt to recover jewellery stolen by a Thai labourer from the Saudi royal family.

REUTERS SAM VC1225