"Aum" defies Buriram! Drops mask, provides 2 assists to lead Thailand to the 2027 Asian Cup, hints at future with national team.
On 1 Apr 2026 GMT+7, following Thailand's narrow 2-1 win over Turkmenistan that secured their ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup, hero behind two crucial assists, “Aum” Thirathorn Bunmathan, opened up about the pressure he faced, his decision that went against club orders, and the uncertain future with the War Elephants.
A key topic was his decision to remove the protective facial mask during the game. Thirathorn admitted it was a difficult choice and expressed apologies to his club, Buriram United.
“I have to apologize to Buriram because they emphasized wearing the mask to prevent re-injury, as there are many games ahead. But wearing it really obstructed my vision on the field, so I decided to take it off because I felt my nose was getting better.”
Despite being a top Asian-level player, Thirathorn revealed this match caused him immense stress, even affecting his sleep.
“I had high expectations because the fans expect a lot from us, as does the coach who called us up for these two important games. Today, I tried to perform my best, and all the younger players did very well too.”
“I admit this game was very stressful and tense. I kept waking up startled at night because it was a heart-pounding match. Winning today allowed me to finally sleep peacefully.”
When asked about playing in the final tournament in 2027, Thirathorn responded humbly, reflecting the reality of football that his future remains uncertain due to his advancing age.
“It’s difficult because I’m getting older. This time, I just came to fulfill my duty to help the Thai national team qualify. I don’t want to see Thailand having to watch other nations play from home.”
“As for the Asian Cup, I still don’t know if I’ll be selected since there are several months left. Like last time, many endured hardships together in Uzbekistan but some didn’t make it to the finals. Even the coach who took us to qualifiers didn’t go. Everything depends on performance and the coach’s decision on who fits the tactics at that time.”