Thai expert speaks candidly after consecutive losses to Vietnam in Southeast Asian tournaments

Mr. Tanawat Nitikanchana, Chairman of Ratchaburi FC, gave sincere comments about the state of Thai football following the men's team’s failure to secure the gold medal against Vietnam U22.

Defeat to Vietnam U22 in the SEA Games 33 final has plunged Thai football into unprecedented chaos. Once dominant in the region, Thai football has shown signs of decline in recent years. After the peak years of key players like Chanathip Songkrasin and Theerathon Bunmathan, the Golden Kingdom’s team no longer has many standout players capable of making a difference. The question of the next generation’s strength has become a recurring topic among Thai football experts.

In this context, Mr. Tanawat Nitikanchana, Chairman of Ratchaburi FC, pointed out the root cause. According to him, Thai football is facing problems starting from the foundation, especially in youth training. Tanawat Nitikanchana stated: “As both a fan and a club-level football professional, I believe the biggest issue in Thai football is the foundation, particularly the serious approach to youth development.”

He acknowledged that the 2025/26 Thai League season is viewed more positively in terms of quality and appeal. However, he also highlighted an existing paradox. Tanawat Nitikanchana emphasized:

“This 2025/26 season, many praise the Thai League for being more exciting and lively. It’s undeniable that using foreign players has clearly improved the quality and entertainment value of matches. But then it becomes a cycle: Thai players aren’t good enough, so foreign players are brought in, and with many foreign players on the field, Thai players have even less room to develop.”

Beyond the national league, Mr. Tanawat also mentioned the difficulties faced by Thailand U22 in preparing for SEA Games 33. He explained that many clubs not releasing players is understandable because this tournament is not on the FIFA calendar. Tanawat Nitikanchana explained:

“I understand everyone’s disappointment, both with the results at the SEA Games and the squad selection for the Asian tournament. But it must be made clear that neither of these competitions are on the FIFA schedule, so player call-ups are limited since clubs naturally want to keep their players available.”

Based on this reality, the Ratchaburi chairman believes the long-term solution must start with youth development. Tanawat Nitikanchana analyzed: “The long-term solution is that we must train many excellent young players at every age group. Then, even if some clubs don’t release players, it won’t matter, because there will be equally talented players to replace them. If we don’t address the root cause of systematic youth training, we will keep arguing repeatedly about whether to release players during non-FIFA periods.”

Additionally, Tanawat Nitikanchana expressed support for the idea of appointing a Technical Director for the Football Association of Thailand. According to him, this person needs deep expertise, a clear vision for each age group, and close cooperation with the federation to build long-term development plans for national teams.