Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul gave an interview after the Thailand U23 national team lost to Vietnam, missing the 2025 SEA Games title.
On 18 December 2025, after Thailand lost 2-3 to Vietnam in extra time of the 2025 SEA Games final, they unfortunately missed out on winning their 17th SEA Games gold medal.
In this match, the 'War Elephants' took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Yotsakorn Burapha and Seksan Ratri, but then conceded three consecutive goals to lose the lead.
After the game, 'Coach Wang' Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, head coach of Thailand, said, “I apologize to all the fans and management. Our goal was to win the championship, and I thank the clubs for releasing players to support the national team.”
“The problem wasn’t caused by anything else. If we lost, it’s my fault. It’s about tactics, and I accept that today we couldn’t reach our goal of becoming SEA Games champions on home soil.”
“It was a momentum shift. We lost Chanapat in the first half, and then conceded an early goal in the second half. Everyone tried their best to hold on, but there were many factors involved.”
“We need to ask the Football Association what will happen next. If we can’t lead Thailand to a SEA Games championship and don’t meet our target, the decision is up to the association regarding my future. My contract runs only until the 2026 Asian Championship in January; after that, I don’t know.”
“I sincerely apologize to the fans for not meeting the goal, as well as to management. Everyone’s sole objective was to become champions.”
“We tried to rotate players as much as possible to keep everyone fresh before the final. I must commend everyone's spirit—they fought hard. But the physical toll was high, balancing club and national team duties. Vietnam’s players were physically better prepared.”
“For the Asian Championship, key players can’t participate due to club commitments. Most replacements will be U21 league players. Main players like Sifor Khokna Kamyok have to return to their clubs.”