Meet "Coach Bo" Jakrapan Panpi, the new head coach of Thailand's U20 national team.
On 6 May 2026, after Rayong FC officially announced their farewell and expressed gratitude to "Coach Bo" Jakrapan Panpi, the team's head coach, with a statement saying
"Announcement of thanks and congratulations: Rayong FC would like to sincerely thank “Coach Bo” Jakrapan Panpi for dedicating his effort and heart to the club over nearly two years. He is a quiet worker full of genuine dedication, determination, and true professionalism. Coach Bo played a key role in laying the team’s foundation in discipline, game understanding, and continuous player development, leading the club to achieve its set goals with outstanding results. This success is not just about match outcomes but about elevating the team in all aspects."
"Throughout our collaboration, we moved forward together as a “family” with professionalism, mutual respect, listening, and trust in each other's roles. The club is proud to have a quality coach and dedicated developer like Coach Bo as part of the team. On behalf of Rayong FC’s chairman, I sincerely thank him for all his dedication, hard work, and every success he has created for the club."
"On this important occasion, we also warmly congratulate Coach Bo on his appointment as head coach of Thailand’s U20 national team. This is a significant step in his career and a great honor both for him and for Thai football. We wish Coach Bo continued success, proud achievements, and the honor of bringing recognition to the country. Rayong FC will always support and cheer for him. Thank you and congratulations from the heart."
Get to know "Coach Bo" Jakrapan Panpi: Who is he?
"Coach Bo" was born on 2 April 1979 and is currently 47 years old. As a player, he was a defender for Chonburi FC and was selected for Thailand’s U23 national team, winning a gold medal at the 2001 SEA Games and placing fourth at the 2002 Asian Games.
As a coach, he started as an assistant to "Coach Heng" Witthaya Laohakul from 2006 through the eras of Jadet Meelarp and Kiatisuk Senamuang at Chonburi FC. During that time, he also gained experience managing Ang Thong FC and Phanthong FC.
He later coached Samut Prakan City during 2022–2023, then Uthai Thani FC, parting ways in 2024 before moving to coach Rayong FC in the 2024/25 season. He led the team to a 12th place finish, securing survival in Thai League 1, then improved the "Blue Dragon Horses" to 36 points from 29 games, ranking 9th in the 2025/26 Thai League, meeting the goal set by Rayong FC chairman Satit Pitutecha to finish in the top ten.
Next, "Coach Bo" will take charge of Thailand’s U20 national team, preparing to lead the squad in the 2026 ASEAN Championship this June.