Can We Talk? "Yameen" Leaves a Question Mark on His National Team Farewell After Thailand's Men's Volleyball Wins SEA Games 2025 Championship
On 20 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Yameen Krisada Nilsawai, a star fast attacker of Thailand's men's national volleyball team, gave an interview after the conclusion of the 2025 SEA Games hosted by Thailand, where they successfully won the gold medal.
Thailand's men's volleyball team narrowly defeated Indonesia 3-2 sets with scores of 25-20, 16-25, 25-23, 23-25, and 15-12, securing their first SEA Games gold medal in 8 years since 2017 in Malaysia, marking their 9th championship.
Indonesia's reign as champions ended after dominating the last 3 editions, though they remain the most successful team with 12 titles.
Yameen Krisada Nilsawai immediately announced his retirement from the Thai national team after winning his 5th SEA Games gold in men's volleyball (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2025), saying, "Honestly, I just hoped to reach any medal final and be satisfied, but deep down I wanted the gold. Today, everyone played well except me, who didn’t perform as well."
"(What are your future plans?) I will retire from the national team and focus only on the league with the Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC club. If it's really necessary for me to return, I will consider it first."
"Honestly, I don’t want to say much, but frankly, I wish the athlete allowances would be increased. It’s been many years now; we get 900 baht, but 300 baht is deducted for accommodation or other fees, leaving us with 600 baht per day, and this has been the case for decades."
"Just for me playing in 8 SEA Games, that’s 16 years already, not including seniors like Khak (Kittikun Sriuthawong) and other generations. In the past, volleyball players earned 18,000 baht, enough for meals and noodles with a 35-baht tip; now it’s 70 baht, which is unsustainable."
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