Thanathorn and Praeploy, coach and player of the historic Thai women's futsal World Cup team, share their journey from small beginnings to the world stage as they lead the launch of "GRASSROOT FUTSAL."
“Coach O” Thanathorn Santhanaprasit, along with Praeploy Huaipet, coach and player of the Thai women's national futsal team that made history by qualifying for the Women's Futsal World Cup, led the launch event for the seven-episode documentary "GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars." The series tells the stories of children and youth from community futsal courts across the country under the concept “It takes a village to raise a child.”
On 10 July 2026 at the Sports Journalists Association of Thailand within Rajamangala National Stadium, a press conference officially launched the documentary series “GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars.” The project was supported by the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund and produced by Sanlan Vision Co., Ltd., with media and distinguished guests attending in full.
The event was honored by prominent figures in Thai sports and futsal, including Dr. Usa Rungrojkanka, Director of Media Promotion and Development for the Public; Mr. Manun Uthakawari, Deputy Secretary-General of the Football Association of Thailand; Mr. Krisada Satjakul, Manager of the Thai Women's National Futsal Team; Major General Worawut Thongsingam, Chief Sports Reporter of Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Channel 5; Mr. Wangka Kwan-kaew, President of Sanlan Vision Co., Ltd.; “Coach O” Thanathorn Santhanaprasit, Head Coach of the Thai Women's National Futsal Team; and Praeploy Huaipet, Thai women's national futsal player.
Attendees viewed an introductory video clip and listened to behind-the-scenes stories from athletes and the production team, full of determination, dreams, and inspiration from children and youth in each community.
“GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars” is a seven-episode documentary, each about 15-20 minutes long, depicting the lives of children and youth passionate about futsal who train amid various spatial and environmental limitations at seven different courts nationwide, including:
1. The slum community court at Din Daeng Flats, coached by Natthaphon Sutthiroj, former Thai national futsal World Cup player and current head coach of Surat Thani club.
2. The court under the expressway at Wat Makok, Phayathai, coached by Komphon Piphop, former Thai national futsal player.
3. The court at Wat School, Wat Moollek, Pathum Thani Province, coached by Therdsak Charoenpong, Thai national futsal player from the Tha Kham Cold Storage Club.
4. The hillside court at Ban Pha Hee, Chiang Rai Province, coached by Supawut Thuenklang, Thai national futsal World Cup player from Bluewave Chonburi Club.
5. The mangrove forest court at Rak Talay Bang Khun Thian Bridge, coached by Praeploy Huaipet, Thai women's national futsal player from Suan Sunandha Inspire Teesport Club.
6. The court at the School for the Disabled, Sot Sueksa Thung Mahamek School, coached by Chat Chotchuang, Thai deaf national futsal player from Port Authority ASM Club.
7. The community court in a Muslim neighborhood, Ban Pa Sports Development Club, coached by Thanathorn Santhanaprasit, head coach of the Thai women's national futsal team and former Thai national futsal World Cup player.
Although the conditions of each court vary and may not be ideal, the documentary aims to show that “children’s dreams are never small because of the size of their courts.” Professional futsal players and industry personnel, many of whom grew up on small courts, share their experiences to inspire and open new perspectives for youth in these communities.
Each episode is structured into three main parts: first, visiting the community and meeting the locals to understand their environment; second, discussing the children’s lifestyles, determination, and dreams; and finally, featuring the highlight segment “Revealing the Dream Court.”
In this segment, the production team uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to simulate the “dream court,” demonstrating possibilities for developing and improving each community’s futsal facilities to better meet youth needs in the future.
A representative of the production team highlighted the core message of the series:
“We want viewers to see that a child’s success does not happen alone but arises from the entire community supporting, providing space for play, and opening opportunities to dream.”
The documentary aims to inspire children and youth nationwide and plans to extend the content into short-form media to reach younger generations and a broader audience.
Futsal fans and interested viewers can follow "GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars" every Tuesday at 8 p.m. via the Facebook Page: Futsal Poonpoon and YouTube channel: FutsalThailand, starting with the first episode on 14 July 2026.