Chanathip sees a balanced renewal of the War Elephants as preferable to rushing a full team overhaul, emphasizing gradual change.
On 22 May 2026, Chanathip Songkrasin, midfielder for Thailand's national team and BG Pathum United, shared his perspective on the national team's transition approach. He believes the team should undergo a gradual changeover rather than replacing all players at once, as the team still relies on experienced players to guide and pass on knowledge to the younger generation.
Chanathip told Thairath Sport that mixing veteran players with young talents helps the team maintain balance both in gameplay and team atmosphere. He emphasized that building a strong national team takes time and cannot be rushed within a short period.
When asked about his thoughts on the national team's renewal process,
he said, "We will see their potential. I believe the coach will start testing players; some might not participate in the ASEAN Cup or may not align with FIFA match days. The coach will consider players' ages for selection."
"Also, the coach will identify who can be utilized effectively and begin renewing certain positions gradually. A complete overhaul isn’t possible; it must be done step by step with proper preparation. We haven’t had a system developing players from age 17, so integration is necessary. We need to observe their progress with the national team. Ultimately, players under 23 still have the U-23 stage to compete in, but for those over 23, breaking into the senior team is more challenging due to the widening gap. Therefore, ages 17 to 23 are crucial to showcase their abilities. Some come from schools without clubs, lacking competitive platforms. Those affiliated with clubs, especially upcoming U-21 players, have opportunities to demonstrate their potential, which fluctuates over time. I believe this will help develop their skills beyond just school-level football."
Chanathip is absent from the current call-up due to a hamstring injury in his rear thigh muscle.
The Thailand national team has scheduled friendly matches, hosting Kuwait on 5 June and then traveling to face China on 9 June 2026.