Thailand national under-23 football team

The 2014 Asian Games was held in Incheon, South Korea. The Thailand U23 Team under coach Kiatisuk Senamuang built a young-blood team that would later become the main Thailand senior team with players such as Chanathip Songkrasin, Sarach Yooyen, Kawin Thamsatchanan, Charyl Chappuis, etc. In this competition the team made top performance by finishing in fourth place, the highest in the Asian Games after 1998.[6][7][8]

The 2016 AFC U-23 Championship final tournament was held in Qatar from 12–30 January 2016. Thailand qualified for the tournament by runner-up in the qualification stage in homeland in March 2015. The Young Elephants recorded comprehensive victories; 2–1 against Cambodia; 5–1 against Philippines and 0–0 against North Korea.[9][10][11]

The 2016 AFC U-23 Championship doubled as the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Summer Olympics Football tournament in Rio de Janeiro.[12] Thailand were eliminated from the championship in the group stage. A 1–1 draw to Saudi Arabia followed by a 0–4 loss to Japan meant that Thailand needed to defeat North Korea in the final group match. A nil-all draw resulted in the elimination for Thailand from the tournament and hence failure to qualify for the Olympics. Although eliminated, Thailand earned praise and reputation for its strong performance in the tournament.[10][13]

In the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship, Thailand only finished second in their qualification, but with the team being undefeated, Thailand beat Malaysia 3–0 and was held draws by Mongolia and Indonesia, Thailand became the best runners-up to qualify. The Young Elephants prepared by hosting the friendly 2017 M-150 Cup, where they finished fourth but managed to beat Japan 2–1. This enthusiastic performance of Thailand put up great hope for the team, having earlier conquered the 2017 SEA Games.[14][15]

However, having entered the tournament, it would become Thailand's complete nightmare. They opened their game with a 0–1 loss to North Korea before got slapped with the same result to Japan, eventually eliminated the Young Elephants from the competition. The Thais bid goodbye from the competition in a humiliating fashion, with a devastating 1–5 loss to Palestine. To add the dismay, their defeated rivals Malaysia and Vietnam both moved on to progress from the group stage, with the latter managed to reach the final and ended in second place.[16]

Thailand was awarded as host of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, therefore they were automatically qualified. Thailand still participated in the qualification as an opportunity to train and improve the team. Thailand, once again, finished second, after beating Indonesia and Brunei, but lost to Vietnam. Before the tournament, Thailand was eliminated at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games after the group stage.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

In the group stage, Thailand would face Iraq, Australia and maiden debutant Bahrain, and was tipped favorably to progress, mainly due to Australia's underperformance in the tournament and inexperienced Bahrain. Thailand prepared by playing against Saudi Arabia in the friendly encounter, but lost 0–1. In their first match against inexperienced Bahrain, the Thais proved to be too dominant for the visitor, as the Thais demolished Bahrain 5–0. This win allowed more Thai supporters coming to cheer for the Thai side in their second encounter against underperformed Australia, instead, Thailand suffered a heartbreaking 1–2 loss to Australia despite having taken the lead and putting Thailand's quest to the final stage in their final game against Iraq. In final matches in group state Thailand draw Iraq 1–1 earn a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time in AFC U-23 Championship as the second-placed team in the group behind Australia.[24] In quarterfinals Thailand have to face with the winner of Group B, Saudi Arabia and lost with penalty 1-0 end the way to 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.[25][26][27][28][29]

The 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup final tournament was held in Uzbekistan from 1–19 June 2022. Thailand qualified for the tournament by being runner-up in the qualification stage in Mongolia in October 2021, which drew; 1-1 against Mongolia; 3-0 against Laos and 0–0 against Malaysia.

In the group stage, Thailand (Pot 2) was drawn into Group C with South Korea (Pot 1), Vietnam (Pot 4), and Malaysia (Pot 4). All matches will be played at Tashkent. In the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup at Tashkent, the result is Thailand drew; 2-2 against Vietnam; 3-0 against Malaysia, and lost to South Korea 0-1, eliminated from the group stage with 4 points.[30][31]

The following 23 players were called up for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.[32]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Soponwit Rakyart	(2001-01-25) 25 January 2001			Muangthong United
20	1GK	Thirawooth Sruanson	(2001-11-10) 10 November 2001			Kasetsart
23	1GK	Siriwat Ingkaew	(2001-01-11) 11 January 2001			Phrae United
2	2DF	Phongsakon Trisat	(2001-03-19) 19 March 2001			Chonburi
3	2DF	Warinthon Jamnongwat	(2002-04-06) 6 April 2002			Chainat Hornbill
4	2DF	Kritsada Nontharat	(2001-02-16) 16 February 2001			Bangkok United
5	2DF	Chonnapat Buaphan	(2004-03-22) 22 March 2004			BG Pathum United
6	2DF	Songwut Kraikruan	(2001-11-06) 6 November 2001			Muangthong United
12	2DF	Waris Choolthong	(2004-01-08) 8 January 2004			BG Pathum United
13	2DF	Pattarapon Suksakit	(2003-08-19) 19 August 2003			Sukhothai
19	2DF	Phon-Ek Jensen	(2003-05-30) 30 May 2003			PT Prachuap
22	2DF	Thanison Paibulkijcharoen	(2002-02-19) 19 February 2002			Chiangmai United
7	3MF	Settasit Suvannaseat	(2002-03-06) 6 March 2002			Chiangrai United
11	3MF	Erawan Garnier	(2006-01-05) 5 January 2006			Lyon B
14	3MF	Purachet Thodsanit	(2001-05-09) 9 May 2001			Muangthong United
15	3MF	Natcha Promsomboon	(2001-02-08) 8 February 2001			Ayutthaya United
16	3MF	Seksan Ratree	(2003-03-14) 14 March 2003			Buriram United
18	3MF	Sittha Boonlha	(2004-09-02) 2 September 2004			Port
21	3MF	Songkhramsamut Namphueng	(2003-11-07) 7 November 2003			Police Tero
8	4FW	Teerasak Poeiphimai	(2002-09-21) 21 September 2002			Port
9	4FW	Guntapon Keereeleang	(2001-01-22) 22 January 2001			Bangkok United
10	4FW	Chitsanupong Choti	(2001-09-29) 29 September 2001			Khonkaen United
17	4FW	Chukid Wanpraphao	(2001-07-02) 2 July 2001			Ayutthaya United

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Natthapat Makthuam	(2005-01-10) 10 January 2005			Police Tero	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
GK	Phuwadol Pholsongkram	(2002-05-11) 11 May 2002			Ayutthaya United	Training Camp Jan. 2024
GK	Sakpon Nichakam	(2002-04-04) 4 April 2002			Chamchuri United	2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
DF	Kittichai Yaidee	(2002-02-09) 9 February 2002			Samut Prakan City	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
DF	James Beresford	(2002-04-17) 17 April 2002			Uthai Thani	Training Camp Jan. 2024
DF	Thawatchai Inprakhon	(2003-03-31) 31 March 2003			Police Tero	Training Camp Jan. 2024
DF	Warakorn Thongbai	(2002-05-22) 22 May 2002			Customs United	Training Camp Jan. 2024
DF	Songchai Thongcham	(2001-06-09) 9 June 2001			Chonburi	Training Camp Nov. 2023
DF	Jakkapong Sanmahung	(2002-04-06) 6 April 2002			Chonburi	Training Camp Nov. 2023
DF	Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot	(2002-05-09) 9 May 2002			Chonburi	Training Camp Nov. 2023
DF	Maximilian Steinbauer	(2001-04-29) 29 April 2001			Unattached	2022 Asian Games
DF	Apisit Saenseekammuan	(2002-10-11) 11 October 2002			Nongbua Pitchaya	2022 Asian Games
DF	Bukkoree Lemdee	(2004-03-11) 11 March 2004			Chonburi	2022 Asian Games
DF	Suksan Bunta	(2002-05-05) 5 May 2002			Police Tero	2023 AFF U-23 Championship
DF	Chiraphong Raksongkham	(2001-06-09) 9 June 2001			Trat	2023 AFF U-23 Championship
MF	Phanthamit Praphanth	(2003-09-12) 12 September 2003			DP Kanchanaburi	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
MF	Kittisak Putchan	(2001-02-02) 2 February 2001			Nakhon Pathom United	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
MF	Thanadol Kaosart	(2001-08-18) 18 August 2001			Customs United	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
MF	Airfan Doloh	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001			Uthai Thani	Training Camp Jan. 2024
MF	Kakana Khamyok	(2004-05-21) 21 May 2004			Muangthong United	Training Camp Jan. 2024
MF	Pharadon Phatthaphon	(2001-09-23) 23 September 2001			Trat	Training Camp Jan. 2024
MF	Thakdanai Jaihan	(2002-01-12) 12 January 2002			Chiangrai United	Training Camp Jan. 2024
MF	Kasidit Kalasin	(2004-07-02) 2 July 2004			Chonburi	Training Camp Nov. 2023
MF	Sirimongkol Rattanapoom	(2002-05-21) 21 May 2002			OH Leuven	2022 Asian Games
MF	Channarong Promsrikaew	(2001-04-17) 17 April 2001			Chonburi	2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
MF	Leon James	(2001-08-29) 29 August 2001			Chonburi	2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
MF	Nathaphop Kaewklang	(2001-09-14) 14 September 2001			Chainat Hornbill	2023 AFF U-23 Championship
FW	Pattara Soimalai	(2001-08-27) 27 August 2001			Chiangmai United	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
FW	Sitthinan Rungrueang	(2002-08-16) 16 August 2002			Suphanburi	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship
FW	Patrik Gustavsson	(2001-04-19) 19 April 2001			Nara Club	Training Camp Jan. 2024
FW	Anan Yodsangwal	(2001-07-09) 9 July 2001			Lamphun Warriors	Training Camp Jan. 2024
FW	Varintorn Watcharapringam	(2003-01-18) 18 January 2003			Chiangrai United	Training Camp Jan. 2024
FW	Siam Yapp	(2004-05-27) 27 May 2004			Police Tero	Training Camp Nov. 2023
FW	Yotsakorn Burapha	(2005-06-08) 8 June 2005			Chonburi	Training Camp Nov. 2023
FW	Netithorn Kaewcharoen	(2001-07-31) 31 July 2001			Chiangrai United	2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
FW	Phodchara Chainarong	(2001-03-28) 28 March 2001			Nakhon Pathom United	2023 AFF U-23 Championship

Notes:

• ^INJ Withdrew from squad due to injury
• ^PRE Preliminary squad
• ^SUS Suspended
• ^WD Player withdrew from the squad for non-injury related reasons

AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals											Qualifications
Year	Host country	Result	Position	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA		GP	W	D	L	GS	GA	Manager(s)
20131	Oman	Did not qualify									5	2	1	2	11	6	Pölking
2016	Qatar	Group stage	13th	3	0	2	1	3	7		3	2	1	0	7	2	Kiatisuk
2018	China		16th	3	0	0	3	1	7		3	1	2	0	4	1	Worrawoot, Janković[33]
2020	Thailand	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	7	4		3	2	0	1	12	4	Gama, Nishino[34]
2022	Uzbekistan	Group stage	9th	3	1	1	1	5	3		3	1	2	0	4	1	Worrawoot
2024	Qatar	Group stage	12th	3	1	0	2	2	6		3	3	0	0	9	0	Issara
2026	Saudi Arabia	To be determined									To be determined
Total		4/6	Best: 6th	16	3	4	9	18	27		20	11	6	3	47	14	—

Note

¹: The under-22 team played at the 2013 edition.
*: Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup history
Year	Round	Date	Opponent	Result	Stadium
2016	Group stage	13 January	Saudi Arabia	D 1–1	Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha
		16 January	Japan	L 0–4
		19 January	North Korea	D 2–2
2018	Group stage	10 January	North Korea	L 0–1	Jiangyin Stadium, Jiangyin
		13 January	Japan	L 0–1
		16 January	Palestine	L 1–5	Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre, Changzhou
2020	Group stage	8 January	Bahrain	W 5–0	Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
		11 January	Australia	L 1–2
		14 January	Iraq	D 1–1
	Quarter-Final	18 January	Saudi Arabia	L 0–1	Thammasat Stadium, Khlong Luang
2022	Group stage	2 June	Vietnam	D 2–2	Milliy Stadium, Tashkent
		5 June	Malaysia	W 3–0
		8 June	South Korea	L 0–1	Pakhtakor Stadium, Tashkent
2024	Group stage	16 April	Iraq	W 2–0	Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah
		19 April	Saudi Arabia	L 0–5	Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
		22 April	Tajikistan	L 0–1	Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah

AFC U-23 Asian Cup history
First Match	Saudi Arabia 1–1 Thailand  (13 January 2016; Doha, Qatar)
Biggest Win	Thailand  5–0  Bahrain (8 January 2020; Bangkok, Thailand)
Biggest Defeat	Thailand  0–5  Saudi Arabia (19 April 2024; Al Rayyan, Qatar)
Best Result	Quarter Finals at the 2020
Worst Result	Group stage at the 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024

AFF U-23 Championship record
Year	Host country	Result	Position	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA	Manager
2005	Thailand	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	25	2	Charnwit
2019	Cambodia	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	2	1	5	2	Gama
2022	Cambodia	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	0	2	5	3	Garcia
2023	Thailand	Third place	3rd	5	3	1	1	9	3	Issara
Total		4/4	Best: 1st	19	12	3	4	44	10	—

Note

*: Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
*: The under-22 national team played at the 2019 edition onwards.

AFF U-23 Championship history
First Match	Laos 1–3 Thailand  (29 August 2005; Bangkok, Thailand)
Biggest Win	Cambodia  0–8 Thailand  (31 August 2005; Bangkok, Thailand)
Biggest Defeat	Thailand  1–3  Indonesia (24 August 2023; Rayong, Thailand)
Best Result	Champions at the 2005
Worst Result	Third Place at the 2023

Summer Universiade record
Year	Host country	Result	Position	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA
2007	Thailand	Bronze medal	3rd	6	3	1	2	11	6
Total		1/1	Best: 3rd	6	3	1	2	11	6

Note

*: Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

• Summer Universiade

• Bronze medal (1): 2007

• Asian Games

• Fourth place (2): 2002, 2014

• Southeast Asian Games

• Gold medal (7): 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2017
• Silver medal (2): 2021, 2023

• AFF U-23 Championship

• Winners (1): 2005
• Runner-up (2): 2019, 2022
• Third place (1): 2023

• Dubai Cup

• Winners (1): 2017

• BIDC Cup (Cambodia)

• Winners (1): 2013