Thailand national football team

The Thailand national football team (Thai: ฟุตบอลทีมชาติไทย, RTGSfutbon thim chat thai, pronounced [fút.bɔ̄n tʰīːm t͡ɕʰâːt tʰāj]) represents Thailand in senior international football and is controlled by the Football Association of Thailand.

Thailand
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)ช้างศึก (Changsuek)
(War elephants)
AssociationFA Thailand
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationAFF (Southeast Asia)
Head coachMasatada Ishii
CaptainTheerathon Bunmathan
Most capsKiatisuk Senamuang (134)
Top scorerKiatisuk Senamuang (71)
Home stadiumRajamangala Stadium
FIFA codeTHA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 101 Steady (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest43 (September 1998)
Lowest165 (October 2014)
First international
 Thailand 1–6 China 
(Bangkok, Thailand; 20 August 1948)[2]
Biggest win
 Thailand 10–0 Brunei 
(Bangkok, Thailand; 25 May 1971)
Biggest defeat
 Great Britain 9–0 Thailand 
(Melbourne, Australia; 30 November 1956)
Asian Cup
Appearances8 (first in 1972)
Best resultThird place (1972)
AFF Championship
Appearances14 (first in 1996)
Best resultChampions (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022)

In the regional competition, Thailand is the most successful football team in Southeast Asia[a] with seven AFF Championship trophies and nine senior-level gold medals from the Southeast Asian Games, the most of any Southeast Asian country. In higher levels, Thailand achieved the third place in the 1972 AFC Asian Cup where it was the host, and has totally seven appearances in the AFC Asian Cup so far. Furthermore, the team reached the fourth-place in the 1990 and 1998 Asian Games and participated in the Summer Olympics twice. However, Thailand has failed to obtain higher achievements in the continental and global records.[4] The team obtained first ever win in the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 and had to wait 47 years to finally sneak out of the group stage in 2019.[5] Thailand also advanced to the final round of World Cup qualification twice, in 2002 and 2018, but failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

History

1915–1995: dynastic establishment

King Vajiravudh, the founder of the Football Association of Thailand
Siam (Thailand) association football squad's pioneers

The team's predecessor, which operated under the name of Siam, was founded in 1915 and played its first unofficial match against a team of Europeans at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club Stadium on 20 December that year. The team played its first international match in 1930 against the Indochina national team, which included both South Vietnamese and French players.[6]

Thailand football members at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics before their biggest defeat by the United Kingdom

Thailand appeared in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where their lost to Great Britain 0–9, was the largest to that point, thus failing to advance to the quarter-finals. In 1959, Thailand as the host won silver medals in the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games after losing 1–3 to South Vietnam in the final. In 1965, Thailand harbored its first distinct title: the very first place in the Southeast Asian Games. They made their second and latest appearance at the Summer Olympics in 1968, losing all three matches by at least 3 goals margin to Bulgaria, Guatemala, and Czechoslovakia hence en route to a first-round exit.[7]

During the 1992 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Thailand gained a significant success defeating South Korea 2–1 and Bangladesh 1–0 to top the group and qualify to the 1992 AFC Asian Cup. The team's performance at the final tournament was drawing first two matches with Qatar and eventual 3rd place China then losing 0–4 to Saudi Arabia. In 1994, manager Thawatchai Sartjakul assembled a team that has been denounced as the "dream team" with players like Kiatisuk Senamuang, Tawan Sripan and Dusit Chalermsan.[8]

1996–2016: flag bearer of Southeast Asia

A welcome banner at the Rajamangala Stadium, venue for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group A matches

In 1996, Thailand defeated Malaysia 1–0 and win the ASEAN Football Championship (then called the Tiger Cup) for the first time. Thailand were favorites to regain the crown in 2007, 2008 and 2012 only to lose tight finals to Singapore and Vietnam respectively.[9]

The regional 1998 Tiger Cup saw Thailand met Indonesia in a match that ill-hearted players from both team deliberately making actions aimed to avoid facing hosts Vietnam in the semi-finals and undergoing technical burden of moving training bases from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.[10] FIFA fined both teams $40,000 for "violating the spirit of the game". Thailand eventually lost the match, inevitably encountered and failed to Vietnam in the semi-finals.

Thailand consecutively qualified to and participated in two AFC Asian Cup final tournaments both held within Western Asia in 1996 and 2000 when their "dream team" was beginning its golden period. Coincidentally in both editions, the team's opponents all came from Western Asia and they are Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, with the latter two share the same group with Thailand twice. In both editions, Thailand made two draws and lost the rest, bottomed the group stage of the first and is the worst third-placed team of the second edition.[11]

The final 2000 AFF Championship match between Thailand and Indonesia, at a sold out Rajamangala, was almost a carbon copy of their group stage's encounter. The War Elephants triumphed 4–1 again with Worrawoot setting up camp at the opponents' goal. The 28-year-old scored twice in their first match and in the final struck a hat-trick in the first 32 minutes.[13] In the final 2002 AFF Cup final, Thailand again met Indonesia (who was now the host) and won the game in penalty shootout despite taking a 2–0 lead.[14]

Thailand again qualified to the Asian Cup in 2004 and was put into a group with Japan, Iran and debutant Oman. Despite vast experiences in the Asian Cup, the team has yet to show a sign of improvement as they lost all matches and became the worst-performed team in the whole tournament.

The sign of improving only came in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup when Thailand participated as a well-prepared co-host and was placed with the debutant Australia, Oman, and Iraq. The team manages a draw to Iraq and a historic win over Oman. With 4 points ahead, Thailand's chance to qualify to the next round for the first time since 1972 was all but shattered by the likes of Australia in a 0–4 demolition. The tournament witnessed the end of Thailand's recognizable generation with later retirements of Kiatisuk, Tawan, and Pipat.[15]

In September 2008, Thailand signed a four-year contract with the English coach Peter Reid[16] but Reid left his position by mutual consent after only a year in charge[17] as his team fail to clinch the championship of 2008 AFF Championship after 2–3 on aggregate lost to Vietnam in the finals.

In September 2009, Bryan Robson agreed to coach Thailand in his first foray into international football management[18] and was contracted to manage the team through to the 2014 World Cup. In November, Robson celebrated his first competitive match in charge of the team with an away victory against Singapore in a 2011 Asian Cup qualifying group match[19] but then lose to the same opponent back home. Then, two goalless draws with Jordan and Iran in January 2010 and an 0–1 away lost to Iran in March all effectively ended the chance of qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. In preparations for the 2010 AFF Championship, Robson led Thailand to victorious run against Singapore and Bob Houghton's India in a series of friendlies. However, when entering the tournament in December, he failed to bring Thailand past group A after managing only draws against Laos and Malaysia and losing to Indonesia.

Thailand team celebrated after winning the 2014 AFF Championship at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Malaysia.

Robson resigned as Thailand's manager on 8 June 2011, citing health problems as the reason and was replaced by Winfried Schäfer, who would be the ninth German person to coach the Thailand team.

The new coach called up starlets for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and have the starting set of matches losing minimal to Australia, defeating Oman 3–0 and drawing Saudi Arabia but did not make it after losing to these teams altogether in the second set. In the 2012 AFF Championship, Thailand topped their group and surpassed Malaysia in semi-finals but handed the crown to Singapore in the finals. In the 2015 Asian Cup qualification, Thailand showed setback with its defensive frailties exposed by Middle Eastern rivals (Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon) when losing all 6 games in the qualifiers, conceding 21 goals in the process.

In June 2013, Schäfer cancelled his contract. The FA of Thailand appointed the former player Kiatisuk Senamuang as the new caretaker coach for the national team. His first ride was a friendly against China PR on 15 June, which Thailand surprisingly won 5–1.[20]

In 2014, Thailand ended a 12-year drought of the AFF Championship title from the late goals by Charyl Chappuis and Chanathip Songkrasin which gave them a dramatic 4–3 aggregate victory over Malaysia in the second leg of the finals at Bukit Jalil. The team did not lose any match up until the second leg of the finals and often featured a tiki-taka playing style, for instance including 27 consecutive passes during the first leg of the finals against Malaysia.[22] Kiatisuk consequently became the first person to win the ASEAN Football Championship as both a player and a coach. Thailand succeeded in protecting AFF Championship reign two years later in 2016, defeating Indonesia 3–2 aggregately despite losing the first leg.

In 2015, evasion fuelled hope for both the players and Thailand fans of finally reaching the World Cup tournament and tension is mounting as the national team commenced AFC's second round for 2018 World Cup qualification.[23][24] Teerasil Dangda, Thailand's renowned striker, rejoined the rank of the national team after his loan with UD Almería ended earlier. Drawn in Group F along with Chinese Taipei, Iraq and Vietnam, who Thailand played first match home against on 24 May and can only be won by a victory goal from a shot 20 yards away. They played a much easier match at the same opponent's home soil, winning 3–0. Thailand won both matches against Chinese Taipei and drew 2–2 both matches against Iraq, allowing them to qualify for the next round as group F winners.[25]In the last round, Kiatisuk's men shared the same group with Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE along with previous opponent, Iraq. Again, Thailand was eliminated without winning a match and recorded only two points out of ten matches.

2017–present: Rebuilding to achieve the continental success

Milovan Rajevac, Sirisak Yodyardthai and Akira Nishino

Thailand at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in UAE

Since taking over the administration by Somyot Poompanmoung, FA Thailand aims to drive men's national football team to be one of the leading teams in Asia by which there are concrete 20 years development plans and preparations.[26] After the elimination from World Cup qualifiers, Kiatisuk resigned and Thailand appointed Milovan Rajevac as a coach, thus marked the first non-Brazilian/German/English team's chief. With the new coach, however, Thailand failed to defend its AFF Championship title in 2018 when losing Malaysia in the semi-finals by the away goals rule.

Ahead of 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Thailand was drawn into group A together with the host UAE, Bahrain and India. Rajevac oversaw Thailand in the commencing 1–4 loss to India. The Serbian coach was sacked and his assistant, Sirisak Yodyardthai became the interim coach on 7 January. Sirisak guided Thailand to a 1–0 win over Bahrain and a 1–1 draw with the host UAE, enough to move on to the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 47 years. Their success was greeted with congratulation from the FA.[27] Thailand encountered China in the round of sixteen, taking an early lead but eventually lost 2–1 as China make their decisive respond.

After finishing in the fourth place of 2019 King's Cup and losing the rival Vietnam in that tournament, Sirisak had resigned and FA Thailand appointed the Japanese coach Akira Nishino, who had brought Japan to the round of 16 of 2018 FIFA World Cup, for replacement. This was the first-ever Asian coach becoming Thailand's head coach. The team was drawn into group G of the second round of 2022 World Cup qualification with other three Southeast Asian rivals: Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia; along with United Arab Emirates. Despite defeating Indonesia 3–0 and UAE 2–1, Thailand failed to revenge Vietnam when getting goalless draws in both legs, while losing Malaysia 1–2 in Bukit Jalil. With these results, Thailand could only get the third place in group G after five qualifying matches. After a one-year disruption due to COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand and other teams in group G had to play their remaining matches in Dubai, UAE. However, the team suffered a huge loss of key players when Chanathip Songkrasin was injured, while Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan refused to participate the qualification due to various reasons. Without these three players, Thailand showed a poor performance in Dubai - drawn the bottom place team Indonesia 2–2, then lost the UAE 1–3 and Malaysia 0–1, respectively; which eventually pushed the team down to the fourth place of the group G. Nishino did not come back to Thailand to explain the team's failure, but unilaterally returning to Japan, which made FA Thailand appoint Anurak Srikerd as the caretaker and consider sacking Nishino in upcoming days. On 29 July 2021, shortly after Nishino came back to Thailand, FA Thailand decided to terminate the contract with Nishino.[29]

Alexandré Pölking

On 28 September 2021, Alexandré Pölking was appointed as the head coach of the Thailand national team, replacing Akira Nishino. Pölking's first task was the 2020 AFF Championship in December 2021 held in Singapore.[30] Between 5 December 2021 and 1 January 2022, Polking accomplished the very task as he managed the War Elephants to win 6–2 on aggregate after being held to a 2–2 second-leg draw by Indonesia, guiding Thailand to win the AFF Championship for the sixth time.[31] In the 2022 AFF Championship, Thailand defended their title on 16 January 2023, winning the tournament by a 3–2 aggregate score in the two-legged final against Vietnam to secure their seventh title.[32] In October 2023, Thailand embarked on a European tour playing two friendlies against Georgia and Estonia and with star players like Chanathip Songkrasin, Nicholas Mickelson and Ekanit Panya injured and club team refused to released Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan, Supachok Sarachat, Sarach Yooyen, Pansa Hemviboon for international duties, Thailand have to relies on inexperience international players and also giving the opportunity for new young players a chanced to touched up for the future international matches. On 12 October 2023, Thailand suffered their worst defeat in the 21st century losing against Georgia 8–0 at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. In the next match against Estonia on 17 October, Jakkapan Praisuwan equalised it for Thailand for a hard fought 1–1 draw at the Lilleküla Stadium.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification saw Thailand drawn in group C against South Korea, China and Singapore, with the target to be winning the second place to advance to the final round. However, Thailand would get off to a disastrous start, flopping at home to China 2–1 despite opened the scoring by Sarach Yooyen.[33] This disastrous home loss ultimately sealed Pölking's fate, despite a 3–1 away victory over Singapore later on sent Thailand to second on goal difference; with the Brazilian tactician sacked for failing to live up to the target.[34]

Masatada Ishii

After a hurried attempt, Japanese manager Masatada Ishii was announced as Thailand's temporarily new head coach, with a contract lasted until the end of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup as he faced a daunting prospect of reviving the lacklustre Thai side to reach continental level.[35] His first match, a friendly against his homeland Japan, saw Thailand thrashed 5–0 in the second half after an impressive first half display, increased negative feelings among Thai fans as the War Elephants faced a huge challenge in group F at the Asian Cup, with Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan and Oman on the same boat.[36]

Amidst drop of a huge pessimism, Thailand started their Asian Cup campaign against Kyrgyzstan to a bright note, winning 2–0 to mark Thailand's first ever win in an Asian Cup opening match.[37] After a 2–0 victory over Kyrgyzstan, Thailand squared up against a far stronger Oman side, which was boosted by bright performances over the past three years and under the Croatian manager Branko Ivanković, an Asian football expert who never lost to Thailand in his coaching career. However, Thailand defied all expectation of an easy Omani triumph, resolutely defended throughout the match and several times created opportunities to end the game with a famous goalless shutout, giving Thailand four points and the country's early progression to the knockout stage.[38] Thailand would then go on to produce its most famous game in their modern Asian Cup history, a brilliant counter-offensive tactic against Asian hegemon Saudi Arabia in the final group stage match, including a famous penalty save by Saranon Anuin as Thailand made a famous goalless draw to the Saudis, ending their losing streak that started in 2012 to the same opponent and, for the first time ever, Thailand gained a shutout record in the Asian Cup group stage.[39] However, Thailand failed to end their miserable knockout stage record in the Asian Cup, losing 2–1 to Uzbekistan in the round of 16 to equal their 2019 result.[40] Despite this exit, Thailand's bright performance in the tournament earned the team significant praises for their resoluteness and ability to adapt to difficult circumstances, and Masatada Ishii was appointed on a permanent basis, with the aim to help Thailand to qualify for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualification and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Team image

Colours

Vintage 1968 Summer Olympics shirt

In older days, the primary kits worn are all red.

The Thai senior national team used to play with a kit made by local provider FBT. This contract lasted until June 2007.

In July 2007, Nike became kit providers, and from October that year, the team played in an all-yellow home kit in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday (yellow being the royal color), having used two other yellow kits in friendlies against China on 16 May 2007[41] and Qatar on 2 July 2007.[42]

From October 2012 through 2016, Nike was replaced by Grand Sport in a deal worth 96M baht (3.1M USD).[43] The new home kit of Thailand reverted to all-red and the away kit to all-blue. However, the order was reversed from the 2014 AFF Championship onward.

In September 2016, the national team signed a four-year contract with Warrix Sports to be their kit provider from 2017.[44] On 4 January 2017, the new provider introduced a new pair of Thailand kits that was all black home and all white away, honouring their late King Bhumibol for a year after his passing, with black and white being the traditional Thai colors of mourning.

In March 2018, Warrix returned Thailand to the all-blue first, all-red second kits with an addition of a white-black third kit.[45]

In December 2018, a new, darker version of blue, red kits and an all white third kit were presented for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup campaign and the rest of 2019. For the 2019 King's Cup in May, Warrix released the kit consisting of a yellow shirt with white shorts and socks – yellow reportedly being the favorite color of the newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Rivalries

Notable rivalries

Thailand has rivalries with Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. These rivalries are rooted in geographical proximity.

OpponentGPWDLGFGAGDWin %Details
 Malaysia106313441144153−9029.25
 Indonesia75361821134100+34048.00
 Singapore6738181111467+47056.72
 Vietnam552111237478−4038.18Matches
 Myanmar5524151610473+31043.64Matches

Thailand's greatest rival is Malaysia, the two teams having played each other 106 times. Before Malaysia fell into football scandal that weakened the country's football development from the 1990s to 2018, Malaysia was Thailand's most annoying and difficult opponent in the region. Despite the football scandal, Thailand have not defeated the Malaysians on their home turf since 1971.[46] Thailand have better records in international football competitions than the Malaysians.

Indonesia has met Thailand in three finals of the AFF Championship at 2000, 2002 and 2016, and Thailand all triumphed at the expense of Indonesia.[47] It's been said that while Thailand was able to elevate its position to become a more serious Asian competitor, Indonesia fell into mismanagement and matches between two teams also began to lose its importance.

The rivalry between Thailand and Singapore is a newer one and its importance can be emphasized by the domination of both countries in the AFF Championship with Thailand winning five times and Singapore winning four. Up until 2012, Singapore and Thailand have been the more dominant forces in Southeast Asian football.[48] Football development in both countries have been different with Thailand relies mostly on its own domestically developed players while Singapore has been reliant on naturalized players.

Thailand's rivalry with Vietnam has developed differently from times. During the time of South Vietnam and North Vietnam, Thailand had a poorer performance with the team only won 5 matches against the South Vietnamese.[49] However, when Vietnam rejoined international football at 1991, Thailand has been more dominant than their eastern rival.

When Myanmar was still a football power, it was Thailand's first-ever rival, owned by the history of the Burmese–Siamese wars which led to a nationalist fervor among Thai fans with its desire to beat the Burmese.[50] But with Myanmar weakened following the reign of Ne Win and junta, Thailand improved and since 1983, holds an undefeated streak over its western rival. The rivalry today only serves mostly in the memoir of Burmese fans who are nostalgic to an era when Myanmar was still a leading football power, while for some Thai fans, they have more important opponents to concentrate at.[51]

Home ground

Most home matches took place in Rajamangala National Stadium in Bang Kapi District of Bangkok. Built for the 1998 Asian Games, the stadium is the largest sporting facility in Thailand with a capacity of 49,749, all seated. International matches are also occasionally played at Supachalasai Stadium, 700th Anniversary Stadium, 80th Birthday Stadium, Thammasat Stadium, Chang Arena, BG Stadium and Thunderdome Stadium.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2023

v  Thailand
16 June 2023 Friendly Chinese Taipei  2–2  Thailand Kaohsiung, Taiwan
19:00 UTC+8
ReportStadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 6,762
Referee: Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)
v  Thailand
19 June 2023 Friendly Hong Kong  0–1  Thailand So Kon Po, Hong Kong
20:00 UTC+8ReportStadium: Hong Kong Stadium
Attendance: 13,434
Referee: Jansen Foo (Singapore)
v  Lebanon
7 September 2023 2023 King's Cup Thailand  2–1  Lebanon Chiang Mai, Thailand
20:30 UTC+7
Report
Stadium: 700th Anniversary Stadium
Attendance: 16,583
Referee: Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)
v  Thailand
12 October 2023 Friendly Georgia  8–0  Thailand Tbilisi, Georgia
20:00 UTC+4
ReportStadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
Attendance: 9,274
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway)
v  Thailand
17 October 2023 Friendly Estonia  1–1  Thailand Tallinn, Estonia
19:00 UTC+3
ReportStadium: A. Le Coq Arena
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)
v  China
16 November 2023 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ Thailand  1–2  China Bangkok, Thailand
19:30 UTC+7
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium
Attendance: 35,009
Referee: Salman Falahi (Qatar)
v  Thailand
21 November 2023 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ Singapore  1–3  Thailand Kallang, Singapore
20:00 UTC+8
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Singapore National Stadium
Attendance: 29,644
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

2024

v  Thailand
1 January 2024 2024 Toyo Tires Cup Japan  5–0  Thailand Tokyo, Japan
14:00 UTC+9
ReportStadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 61,916
Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)
v  Kyrgyzstan
16 January 2024 2023 Asian Cup GS Thailand  2–0  Kyrgyzstan Doha, Qatar
17:30 UTC+3
ReportStadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium
Attendance: 4,530
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
v  Thailand
21 January 2024 2023 Asian Cup GS Oman  0–0  Thailand Doha, Qatar
17:30 UTC+3ReportStadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium
Attendance: 6,340
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran)
v  Thailand
25 January 2024 2023 Asian Cup GS Saudi Arabia  0–0  Thailand Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3ReportStadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 38,773
Referee: Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)
v  Thailand
21 March 2024 2026 World Cup qualification South Korea  1–1  Thailand Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9ReportStadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 64,912
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)

Coaching staff

NameRole
Head coach Masatada Ishii
Assistant coach Mitsuo Kato
Goalkeeping coach Saulo Adriel
Fitness coach Kritapoj Dangkula
Physio Yohei Shiraki
Suwitcha Noradee
Panuwat Chutichotlimsakul
Match analyst Naruebet Saengsawang
Interpreter Chalermchai Chincherdphong

Coaching history

Statistical summary

As of 26 March 2024 after the match against  South Korea.
ManagerPeriodRecord
MatchesWonDrawLostWin %Honours
Bunchoo Samutkojon1956–1964----- 1956 Summer Olympics (First round)
Pratiab Thesvisarn1965–1968-----
Günther Glomb1968–1975-----1968 Summer Olympics (Group stage)
1972 AFC Asian Cup
(Third place)
Naowarat Patanon1975-----
Peter Schnittger1976–1978-----
Witthaya Laohakul1997–199824109541.67%1997 Southeast Asian Games (Gold medal)
Peter Withe1998–200310146253045.54%1999 Southeast Asian Games (Gold medal)
2000 AFF Championship
2000 King's Cup
2002 AFF Championship
Carlos Roberto2003–20041362546.15%
Chatchai Paholpat2004821525.00%
Sigfried Held2004–20051144336.36%
Charnwit Polcheewin2005–20083918111046.15%2006 King's Cup
2006 VFF Cup
2007 King's Cup
Peter Reid2008–20091794452.94%2008 VFF Cup
Bryan Robson2009–20111564540.00%
Winfried Schäfer2011–201328146850.00%
Surachai Jaturapattarapong (Interim)201330030.00%
Kiatisuk Senamuang2014–2017422171450.00%2014 AFF Championship
2016 AFF Championship
2016 King's Cup
Milovan Rajevac2017–20192087540.00%2017 King's Cup
Sirisak Yodyardthai (Interim)2019721428.57%
Akira Nishino2019–20211125418.18%
Alexandré Pölking2021–202337218856.76%2020 AFF Championship
2022 AFF Championship
Masatada Ishii2023–present713314.29%

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the World Cup qualification matches against  South Korea on 21 and 26 March 2024 respectively.[52]

Caps and goals as of 26 March 2024, after the match against  South Korea.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKPatiwat Khammai (1994-12-24) 24 December 1994 (age 29)110 Bangkok United
201GKSaranon Anuin (1994-03-24) 24 March 1994 (age 30)10 Chiangrai United
231GKBoonyakait Wongsajaem (1994-06-29) 29 June 1994 (age 29)00 Uthai Thani

22DFSantiphap Channgom (1996-09-23) 23 September 1996 (age 27)30 BG Pathum United
32DFTheerathon Bunmathan (captain) (1990-02-06) 6 February 1990 (age 34)1037 Buriram United
42DFElias Dolah (1993-04-24) 24 April 1993 (age 31)161 Bali United
122DFNicholas Mickelson (1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 24)121 OB
162DFSuphan Thongsong (1994-08-26) 26 August 1994 (age 29)150 Bangkok United
172DFPansa Hemviboon (1990-07-08) 8 July 1990 (age 33)466 Buriram United
212DFSuphanan Bureerat (1993-10-10) 10 October 1993 (age 30)201 Port

53MFKritsada Kaman (1999-03-18) 18 March 1999 (age 25)320 BG Pathum United
63MFSarach Yooyen (1992-05-30) 30 May 1992 (age 31)816 BG Pathum United
73MFSupachok Sarachat (1998-05-22) 22 May 1998 (age 25)348 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
83MFPeeradon Chamratsamee (1992-09-15) 15 September 1992 (age 31)232 Buriram United
113MFBordin Phala (1994-12-20) 20 December 1994 (age 29)416 Port
133MFJaroensak Wonggorn (1997-05-18) 18 May 1997 (age 26)130 Muangthong United
143MFRungrath Poomchantuek (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 32)70 Bangkok United
153MFPokklaw Anan (1991-03-04) 4 March 1991 (age 33)476 Bangkok United
183MFChanathip Songkrasin (1993-10-05) 5 October 1993 (age 30)6512 BG Pathum United
223MFWeerathep Pomphan (1996-09-19) 19 September 1996 (age 27)310 Bangkok United

94FWSupachai Chaided (1998-12-01) 1 December 1998 (age 25)377 Buriram United
104FWSuphanat Mueanta (2002-08-02) 2 August 2002 (age 21)197 OH Leuven
194FWPoramet Arjvirai (1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 25)111 Muangthong United

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKSiwarak Tedsungnoen (1984-04-20) 20 April 1984 (age 40)330 Buriram United2023 AFC Asian Cup
GKKampol Pathomakkakul (1992-07-29) 29 July 1992 (age 31)100 Ratchaburiv.  Singapore, 21 Nov 2023
GKChirawat Wangthaphan (1998-07-26) 26 July 1998 (age 25)00 Khonkaen Unitedv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
GKSumethee Khokpho (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 25)00 Portv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
GKChatchai Budprom (1987-04-04) 4 April 1987 (age 37)190 BG Pathum United2023 King's Cup

DFJakkapan Praisuwan (1994-08-16) 16 August 1994 (age 29)121 BG Pathum United2023 AFC Asian Cup
DFTristan Do (1993-01-31) 31 January 1993 (age 31)510 Muangthong Unitedv.  Singapore, 21 Nov 2023
DFChalermsak Aukkee (1994-08-25) 25 August 1994 (age 29)90 Portv.  Singapore, 21 Nov 2023
DFNitipong Selanon (1993-05-25) 25 May 1993 (age 30)60 Bangkok Unitedv.  Singapore, 21 Nov 2023
DFKevin Deeromram (1997-09-11) 11 September 1997 (age 26)40 Portv.  Singapore, 21 Nov 2023
DFManuel Bihr (1993-09-17) 17 September 1993 (age 30)210 Bangkok Unitedv.  China, 16 Nov 2023
DFAdisorn Promrak (1993-10-21) 21 October 1993 (age 30)320 Ratchaburiv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
DFJames Beresford (2002-04-17) 17 April 2002 (age 22)10 Uthai Thaniv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
DFChatmongkol Rueangthanarot (2002-05-09) 9 May 2002 (age 21)40 Chonburiv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
DFPeerapat Notchaiya (1993-02-04) 4 February 1993 (age 31)361 Bangkok United2023 King's Cup

MFPathompol Charoenrattanapirom (1994-04-21) 21 April 1994 (age 30)241 Port2023 AFC Asian Cup
MFWorachit Kanitsribampen (1997-08-24) 24 August 1997 (age 26)172 Port2023 AFC Asian Cup
MFChannarong Promsrikaew (2001-04-17) 17 April 2001 (age 23)141 Chonburi2023 AFC Asian Cup
MFPicha Autra (1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 (age 28)90 Muangthong United2023 AFC Asian Cup
MFEkanit Panya (1999-10-21) 21 October 1999 (age 24)201 Urawa Red Diamonds2023 AFC Asian Cup WD
MFPhitiwat Sukjitthammakul (1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 29)260 BG Pathum Unitedv.  Japan, 1 Jan 2024
MFChakkit Laptrakul (1994-12-02) 2 December 1994 (age 29)30 PT Prachuapv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
MFChanukun Karin (1997-04-24) 24 April 1997 (age 27)30 Portv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
MFAthit Berg (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 26)20 Nakhon Pathom Unitedv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
MFBen Davis (2000-11-24) 24 November 2000 (age 23)10 Chonburiv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
MFPurachet Thodsanit (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 (age 22)10 Muangthong Unitedv.  Estonia, 17 Oct 2023
MFThitiphan Puangchan (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 30)547 Bangkok United2023 King's Cup

FWTeerasak Poeiphimai (2002-09-21) 21 September 2002 (age 21)90 Port2023 AFC Asian Cup
FWYotsakorn Burapha (2005-06-08) 8 June 2005 (age 18)20 Chonburiv.  Japan, 1 Jan 2024
FWTeerasil Dangda (1988-06-06) 6 June 1988 (age 35)12764 BG Pathum Unitedv.  Japan, 1 Jan 2024 INJ
FWAnan Yodsangwal (2001-07-09) 9 July 2001 (age 22)00 Lamphun Warriorsv.  Hong Kong, 19 June 2023

INJ Withdrew from the squad due to injury
PRE Included in the Preliminary squad or on standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension from the national team
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Player records

As of 26 March 2024[53]
Players in bold are still active with Thailand.

Most appearances

RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer
1Kiatisuk Senamuang134711993–2007
2Teerasil Dangda127642007–present
3Totchtawan Sripan110191993–2009
4Theerathon Bunmathan10372010–present
5Piyapong Pue-on100701981–1997
Datsakorn Thonglao100112003–2017
7Dusit Chalermsan97141994–2004
8Niweat Siriwong9031997–2012
9Natee Thongsookkaew8711986–2000
10Surachai Jaturapattarapong8671991–2002

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer
1Kiatisuk Senamuang711340.531993–2007
2Piyapong Pue-on701000.71981–1997
3Teerasil Dangda641270.52007–present
4Sarayuth Chaikamdee31490.632003–2011
5Vithoon Kijmongkolsak29840.351985–1995
6Worrawoot Srimaka28630.441995–2003
Daoyod Dara28700.41975–1986
Niwat Srisawat28850.331967–1979
9Jedsadaphon Na Phatthalung27790.341971–1981
10Suttha Sudsa-ard25510.491978–1988
Natipong Sritong-In25550.451994–1997
Chalor Hongkajorn25670.371979–1987

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGASquadPldWDLGFGA
1930WithdrewQualified as invitees
1934Did not enterDid not enter
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974Did not qualify4004013
19784103812
19823012313
1986612344
19906105214
19948404137
1998411256
2002145542520
20066213910
2010103252017
20148224710
2018164482030
2022823399
2026Qualification in progress411257
2030To be determinedTo be determined
2034
Total0/22101272252130172

AFC Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup recordQualification record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGASquadPldWDLGFGA
1956WithdrewWithdrew
1960
1964Did not qualify301249
1968420254
1972Third place3rd503269Squad5311164
1976Withdrew after qualifying430182
1980Did not qualify6402134
19845302910
19885122512
1992Group stage7th302115Squad220031
1996Group stage12th3003213Squad6420315
2000Group stage9th302124Squad6411138
2004Group stage16th300319Squad6303107
2007Group stage10th311135SquadQualified as co-hosts
2011Did not qualify613233
20156006721
2019Round of 1614th411247Squad6420146
202313th412132Squad114341411
2027Qualification in progress210143
TotalThird place8/182831114225483391529159110

AFF Championship

AFF Championship record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGASquad
1996Champions1st6510183Squad
1998Fourth place4th52211010Squad
2000Champions1st5500153Squad
2002Champions1st5221137Squad
2004Group stage5th4211134Squad
2007Runners-up2nd7331104Squad
2008Runners-up2nd7511164Squad
2010Group stage6th302134Squad
2012Runners-up2nd7511146Squad
2014Champions1st7511176Squad
2016Champions1st7601124Squad
2018Semi-finals3rd6330175Squad
2020Champions1st8620183Squad
2022Champions1st8521195Squad
Total7 Titles1st8554211019568

Olympic Games

Olympic Games recordQualification record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGASquadPldWDLGFGA
1900–1952Did not enterDid not enter
1956First round11th100109SquadBye
1960First round qualification200226
1964Second round qualification4202410
1968Group stage16th3003119Squad430156
1972Final round qualification6123512
1976WithdrewWithdrew
1980Did not enterDid not enter
1984Second round qualification10523138
1988Second round qualification832387
1992–presentSee Thailand national under-23 teamSee Thailand national under-23 team
TotalFirst round11th400412833146143749

Asian Games

Asian Games record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGASquad
1951 to 1958Did not enter
1962Group stage7th3003410Squad
1966Quarter-finals6th411258Squad
1970Quarter-finals6th412166Squad
1974Group stage12th200224Squad
1978Quarter-finals6th5203612Squad
1982Group stage10th310235Squad
1986Group stage11th411284Squad
1990Fourth place4th631253Squad
1994Group stage15th4013812Squad
1998Fourth place4th84131210Squad
2002–presentSee Thailand national under-23 team
TotalFourth place4th43137235974

Southeast Asian Games

Southeast Asian Games record
YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGA
1959  Silver2nd4202910
1961  Bronze3rd312074
1965  Gold11st321063
1967  Bronze3rd420298
1969  Silver2nd311144
1971  Bronze3rd512278
1973Group stage5th201112
1975  Gold1st312054
1977  Silver2nd411236
1979  Bronze3rd522165
1981  Gold1st422096
1983  Gold1st5311104
1985  Gold1st4310171
1987  Bronze3rd421173
1989Fourth place4th412153
1991  Silver2nd4211102
1993  Gold1st6600186
1995  Gold1st6510192
1997  Gold1st6420153
1999  Gold1st6510241
2001–presentSee Thailand national under-23 team
Total9 Gold medals1st127702919330109
Notes
  • 1 : The title was shared.
  • * : Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Head-to-head record

As of 26 March 2024[49]

Thailand national football team head-to-head records
AgainstFirstLastPldWDLGFGAGDConfederation
 Afghanistan20152015110020+2AFC
 Australia198220176015415−11AFC
 Bahrain19802022103431011−1AFC
 Bangladesh19732012158522913+16AFC
 Bhutan20122012110050+5AFC
 Brazil20002000100107−7CONMEBOL
 Brunei197120227700374+33AFC
 Bulgaria19961996100104−4UEFA
 Cambodia19572023169523918+21AFC
 Cameroon20152015100123−1CAF
 China194820233164212771−44AFC
 Chinese Taipei195920231562726260AFC
 Congo201920191010110CAF
 Egypt198719982020220CAF
 Estonia20002023312032+1UEFA
 Finland199620135311126+6UEFA
 Gabon201820181010000CAF
 Georgia20232023100108−8UEFA
 Germany20042004100115−4UEFA
 Ghana19821983200226−4CAF
 Guatemala19681968100114−3CONCACAF
 Hong Kong1961202331126134341+2AFC
 India196220192410773629+7AFC
 Indonesia1957202275361821134100+34AFC
 Iran19722013140311532−27AFC
 Iraq196820232136122354−31AFC
 Israel19721977302139−6UEFA
 Japan196220242324171657−41AFC
 Jordan20042016715143+1AFC
 Kazakhstan199820062020330UEFA
 Kenya19902017220031+2CAF
 Kuwait19722013114071729−12AFC
 Kyrgyzstan20012024220051+4AFC
 Laos196120101412115415+39AFC
 Latvia200520051010110UEFA
 Lebanon19752023104241621−5AFC
 Liberia19841984100112−1CAF
 Libya197719771010220CAF
 Liechtenstein19811981110020+2UEFA
 Macau197520073300152+13AFC
 Malaysia19592023106313441144153−9AFC
 Maldives199620224400220+22AFC
 Malta19811981100102−2UEFA
 Morocco19801980100112−1CAF
 Myanmar195720225524151610473+31AFC
   Nepal198220228701213+18AFC
 Netherlands20072007100113−2UEFA
 New Zealand196920146222910−1OFC
 Nigeria198319831010000CAF
 Northern Ireland199719971010000UEFA
 North Korea196420172045111836−18AFC
 Norway19652012200208−8UEFA
 Oman19862024135261110+1AFC
 Pakistan196020096501207+13AFC
 Palestine20112011211032+1AFC
 Papua New Guinea19841984100114−3OFC
 Philippines197120222319227111+60AFC
 Poland20102010100113−2UEFA
 Qatar19842016184681826−8AFC
 Saudi Arabia19822024171214942−33AFC
 Singapore195720236738181111467+47AFC
 Slovakia20042018201134−1UEFA
 South Africa20102010100104−4CAF
 South Korea1961202453993541109−68AFC
 Sri Lanka197920227700223+19AFC
 Suriname20222022110010+1CONCACAF
 Sweden196220035014413−9UEFA
 Syria1978202363211310+3AFC
 Tajikistan200320213111330AFC
 East Timor200420213300170+17AFC
 Trinidad and Tobago20042022330063+3CONCACAF
 Turkmenistan19982022211043+1AFC
 United Arab Emirates19862023132381221−9AFC
 United States19871987100101−1CONCACAF
 Uruguay20192019100104−4CONMEBOL
 Uzbekistan19942024126062321+2AFC
 Vietnam19562023552111237478−4AFC
 Yemen19882007624095+4AFC
78 Countries1948202485832819933113221273+49All
Last match updated was against   South Korea on 26 March 2024.
Thailand national football team all-time opponents highlighted in green.

Honours

Continental titles

Regional titles

Friendly titles

Note
*trophy shared

See also

Notes

References

External links