In the
FIFA World Rankings, Thailand highest standing was in the first release of the figures, in September 1998, at 43th. The team is currently ranked 138th in the World, 20th in
Asia and 1st in
South East Asia by
FIFA (July 2013).
The team was founded in 1915 as the
Siam national football team and played its first unofficial match (against a team of Europeans) at the Royal Bangkok Sport Club Stadium on December 20 of that year. On April 25, 1916, King
Vajiravudh established the Football Association of Siam. The team played its first international match in 1930 against the
Indochina national team, which included both
South Vietnamese and
French players. Both the Siam team and its governing association were renamed in 1949 when Siam became Thailand.
The team made another appearance at the Summer Olympics in
1968, losing to
Bulgaria 0–7,
Guatemala 1–4, and
Czechoslovakia 0–8 en route to a first-round exit. This was the Thailand football team's last appearance in the Olympics as of 2010.
Thailand hosted the
1972 AFC Asian Cup and went on to place third after defeating
Cambodia 5–3 on
penalties after a 2–2 draw in the third-place game. Thailand have qualified for the tournament a total of six times. The team won the first of its 13
King's Cup trophies in 1976, sharing the title with
Malaysia after a 1–1 draw in the final match.
Thailand football team has competed triple times in the
Asian Games, making the semifinals in
1990,
1998, and
2002.
The regional
1998 ASEAN Football Championship tournament was perhaps infamous in respect to Thailand football history. In what was supposedly a sporting event, the group stage match between Thailand and Indonesia was marred with an unsportsmanlike attempt. At the time both teams had already qualified for semi-finals, but with knowledge that winners would have to face hosts
Vietnam, while the losing team would play the supposedly weaker
Singapore. There was also technical incentive that facing Vietnam would mean moving training bases from
Ho Chi Minh City to
Hanoi – which none of the teams would wish to do.
The first half saw very little action as both teams barely making attempt to score. During the second half both teams managed to score, partly thanks to half-hearted defending, resulting in a 2–2 tie after 90 minutes. However the real infamy didn't take place until extra time, in which an Indonesian defender deliberately kicked the ball into his own goal with a Thai attacker running towards the ball.
[2] FIFA fined both teams $40,000 for "violating the spirit of the game".
Ironically in the semi-finals, Thailand lost to Vietnam, and Indonesia also lost to Singapore, pitting the teams together once again for the third-place playoff. Indonesia eventually won by penalty shootout, as in the final, unfancied Singapore made one of the competition's biggest shocks by defeating Vietnam.
On 23 September 2009,
Bryan Robson agreed to become coach of Thailand national team in his first foray into international football management.
[3] He was contracted to manage the team through to the
2014 World Cup. On 14 November 2009, Robson celebrated his first competitive match in charge of the team with a 3–1 away victory against
Singapore in a
2011 Asian Cup qualifying group match.
[4]On 18 November 2009, Robson then suffered his first loss – a 1–0 defeat against
Singapore on home soil. In January 2010, this was followed by two goalless draws with
Jordan and
Iran during
2011 Asian Cup qualifying. On 3 March 2010, Robson's Thailand suffered a 1–0 defeat by the hands of
Iran in
Tehran in their final Group E game, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for
2011 Asian Cup. On 11 August 2010, Robson led Thailand to another victory against Singapore with a score of 1–0 on home soil. In September 2010, Robson overcame Bob Houghton's India in a friendly with a score of 2–1 away from home. In December 2010, Robson failed to bring Thailand past the Group A of the
2010 AFF Suzuki Cup after managing only 2 draws against
Laos and
Malaysia and losing to
Indonesia. He resigned as manager on 8 June 2011.
[5]
Rumours had been rife that the 61 years old
Winfried Schäfer was favourite to succeed
Bryan Robson, who ended his ill-fated two-year tenure earlier this month, citing health problems as the reason for his resignation. During the
2014 World Cup Qualifiers, War Elephants played well and built a lot of faith up in the fans. The attendance was nearly full house, War Elephants almost beat
Australia at their home and even defeated
Oman 3-0. This was in addition to the draw against
Saudi Arabia, when I called up many young starlets to the team, which reflects on the fact that we have plenty of good players. In the
2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, Thailand reached the final after topping their group and knocking out Malaysia 3-1 on aggregate.
[6] In the final Thailand lost the first leg 3-1 to Singapore and won the second leg 1-0, but lost on aggregate 3-2. In the
2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification Thailand did not start very well, losing their first 2 matches. In June 2013,
Schäfer canceled his contract. The
FA of Thailand appointed
Kiatisak Senamuang as the new caretaker coach for national team. His first task was
friendly match against
China PR on June 15, which he won 5–1.
Rajamangala National Stadium
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Thailand's original home colours
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The team's traditional home kit consists of a red jersey, red shorts, and red socks. Since October 2007, Thailand have used an all-yellow home kit in honour of King
Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday. The away kit consists of a blue jersey, blue shorts, and blue socks. In October 20, 2012, Thailand national team sign a three years contract with
Grand Sport which become their kit supplier and sponsor. In addition, the offer is about THB 96 million (USD 3.1 million) to the FA of Thailand (FAT) over the three years and it is too good to pass up.
[7] The new kit of Thailand home is going back to All Red and the away kit is All Blue.
 FBT (2002 - 2007)
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 Nike (2007 - 2011)
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| Grand Sport (2012–present)
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Recent results and forthcoming fixtures[edit source | editbeta]
Recent results within last 12 months and upcoming fixtures.
- 1 Non FIFA 'A' international match
The following players were called up to the squad for the
friendly matches against
Liverpool and
Barcelona on 28 July and 7 August 2013.
Caps and goals correct as of: 15 June 2013 v
China PR
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| GK | Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool | March 23, 1982 (age 31) | 71 | 0 | Chonburi |
| GK | Kawin Thammasatchanan | January 26, 1990 (age 23) | 27 | 0 | Muangthong United |
| GK | Watchara Buathong | April 20, 1993 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Singhtarua |
| GK | Kampol Pathom-attakul | July 27, 1992 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Phuket |
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|---|
| DF | Theeraton Bunmathan | February 6, 1990 (age 23) | 16 | 2 | Buriram United |
| DF | Narubodin Weerawatnodom | July 12, 1994 (age 19) | 5 | 1 | BEC Tero Sasana |
| DF | Artit Daosawang | November 11, 1992(age 20) | 4 | 0 | Muangthong United |
| DF | Putthinan Wannasri | September 5, 1992(age 20) | 1 | 0 | Army United |
| DF | Peerapat Notechaiya | February 4, 1993 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | BEC Tero Sasana |
| DF | Pairote Sokam | August 24, 1987 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Suphanburi |
| DF | Pravinwat Boonyong | February 13, 1990(age 23) | 0 | 0 | Bangkok Glass |
| DF | Sakolwat Skollah | February 22, 1991(age 22) | 0 | 0 | Bangkok |
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| MF | Adul Lahso | September 19, 1986(age 26) | 22 | 1 | Chonburi |
| MF | Chanathip Songkrasin | October 5, 1993 (age 19) | 10 | 2 | BEC Tero Sasana |
| MF | Thitipan Puangchan | September 1, 1993(age 19) | 4 | 2 | Muangthong United |
| MF | Pokkhao Anan | March 4, 1991 (age 22) | 3 | 1 | Police United |
| MF | Sarawut Masuk | June 3, 1990 (age 23) | 3 | 1 | Muangthong United |
| MF | Tanaboon Kesarat | September 21, 1993(age 19) | 1 | 0 | BEC Tero Sasana |
| MF | Krirkrit Thaweekarn | November 19, 1990(age 22) | 1 | 0 | Singhtarua |
| MF | Charyl Chappuis | January 12, 1992 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Buriram United |
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| FW | Teerasil Dangda | June 6, 1988 (age 25) | 57 | 28 | Muangthong United |
| FW | Adisak Kraisorn | February 1, 1991 (age 22) | 1 | 2 | Buriram United |
| FW | Chananan Pombuppha | April 17, 1992 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Osotspa Saraburi |
| FW | Pinyo Inpinit | July 1, 1993 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Police United |
| FW | Pakorn Prempak | February 2, 1993 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Police United |
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The following players have also been called up to the Thailand squad within the last 12 months. Players that have retired from the national team and are not available for selection anymore are not displayed.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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| GK | Sivaruck Tedsungnoen | April 20, 1984 (age 29) | 9 | 0 | Buriram United | v.  Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| GK | Chatchai Budprom | February 4, 1987 (age 26) | 2 | 0 | Osotspa Saraburi | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| GK | Yosapol Tiangda | April 6, 1992 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Buriram United | v.  Kuwait, 6 February 2013 |
| GK | Kosin Hembut | April 4, 1982 (age 31) | 0 | 0 | Suphanburi | v.  Malaysia, 7 November 2012INJ |
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| DF | Cholratit Jantakam | June 2, 1985 (age 28) | 41 | 0 | Chonburi | v. China PR, 15 June 2013INJ |
| DF | Panupong Wongsa | November 23, 1983(age 29) | 28 | 0 | Muangthong United | v. China PR, 15 June 2013WD |
| DF | Pratum Chuthong | October 26, 1983 (age 29) | 1 | 0 | Buriram United | v. China PR, 15 June 2013INJ |
| DF | Anucha Kitpongsri | May 23, 1983 (age 30) | 22 | 1 | Chonburi | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| DF | Weerawut Kayem | April 23, 1993 (age 20) | 6 | 0 | Muangthong United | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| DF | Prayad Boonya | November 15, 1979(age 33) | 5 | 1 | Ratchaburi | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| DF | Chaiwat Nak-iem | July 18, 1978 (age 35) | 3 | 0 | Army United | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| DF | Apiwat Ngaolamhin | June 1, 1986 (age 27) | 3 | 0 | BEC Tero Sasana | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| DF | Suree Sukha | July 27, 1982 (age 31) | 68 | 3 | Buriram United | v.  Qatar, 17 March 2013WD |
| DF | Piyapol Bantao | November 8, 1987(age 25) | 14 | 0 | Muangthong United | v. Kuwait, 6 February 2013 |
| DF | Jetsada Jitsawad | August 5, 1980 (age 32) | 33 | 0 | Chiangrai United | 2013 King's Cup |
| DF | Supachai Komsilp | February 18, 1980(age 33) | 12 | 0 | Chiangrai United | 2013 King's Cup |
| DF | Nataporn Phanrit | January 11, 1982 (age 31) | 70 | 3 | Bangkok United | 2013 King's CupWD |
| DF | Natthaphong Samana | June 29, 1984 (age 29) | 39 | 1 | Chonburi | 2013 King's CupWD |
| DF | Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng | February 3, 1986 (age 27) | 1 | 0 | Chonburi | v.  Bangladesh, 17 November 2012 |
| DF | Prat Samakrat | October 31, 1985 (age 27) | 12 | 1 | Suphanburi | v.  Laos, 12 September 2012 |
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| MF | Datsakorn Thonglao | December 30, 1983(age 29) | 95 | 12 | Muangthong United | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| MF | Surat Sukha | July 27, 1982 (age 31) | 25 | 0 | Buriram United | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| MF | Jakkraphan Pornsai | March 28, 1987 (age 26) | 13 | 2 | Muangthong United | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| MF | Ekaphan Inthasen | August 23, 1983 (age 29) | 12 | 1 | Bangkok Glass | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| MF | Anthony Ampaipitakwong | June 14, 1988 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Bangkok United | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| MF | Sumanya Purisai | December 5, 1986(age 26) | 13 | 1 | Chainat | v. Qatar, 17 March 2013INJ |
| MF | Apipoo Suntornpanavej | July 18, 1986 (age 27) | 12 | 4 | Osotspa Saraburi | v. Qatar, 17 March 2013INJ |
| MF | Arthit Sunthornpit | April 19, 1986 (age 27) | 18 | 3 | Chonburi | v. Kuwait, 6 February 2013 |
| MF | Tana Chanabut | June 6, 1984 (age 29) | 13 | 1 | Police United | v. Kuwait, 6 February 2013 |
| MF | Attapong Nooprom | February 13, 1990(age 23) | 3 | 0 | Ratchaburi | 2013 King's CupINJ |
| MF | Sarach Yooyen | May 30, 1992 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Nakhon Ratchasima | 2013 King's CupINJ |
| MF | Rattana Petch-Aporn | July 15, 1982 (age 31) | 3 | 1 | Ratchaburi | v. Bangladesh, 17 November 2012 |
| MF | Wichaya Dechmitr | August 3, 1989 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | BEC Tero Sasana | v. Bangladesh, 17 November 2012 |
| MF | Jakkraphan Kaewprom | May 24, 1988 (age 25) | 13 | 1 | Buriram United | v. Malaysia, 7 November 2012INJ |
| MF | Jirawat Makarom | February 7, 1986 (age 27) | 5 | 0 | Buriram United | v. Laos, 12 September 2012 |
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| FW | Kirati Keawsombut | January 12, 1987 (age 26) | 21 | 5 | PTT Rayong | v. Lebanon, 22 March 2013 |
| FW | Chatree Chimtalay | December 14, 1983(age 29) | 11 | 1 | Bangkok Glass | v. Kuwait, 6 February 2013 |
| FW | Teeratep Winothai | February 16, 1985(age 28) | 50 | 17 | Bangkok Glass | 2013 King's Cup |
| FW | Sompong Soleb | July 30, 1986 (age 27) | 15 | 1 | Bangkok United | 2013 King's CupINJ |
| FW | Surachart Sareepim | May 24, 1986 (age 27) | 7 | 1 | Police United | 2013 King's Cup |
| FW | Wasan Natasan | May 2, 1982 (age 31) | 0 | 0 | Bangkok Glass | 2013 King's Cup |
| FW | Napat Thamrongsupakorn | November 16, 1987(age 25) | 3 | 2 | Muangthong United | v. Bangladesh, 17 November 2012 |
| FW | Suriya Domtaisong | January 20, 1981 (age 32) | 4 | 1 | Buriram United | v. Laos, 12 September 2012 |
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