Chanathip reveals his memorable match against China and talks about two rising young players recently called up to the War Elephants squad.
On 31 May 2026, the Thailand national team is preparing to face Kuwait and China in FIFA Day friendly matches this June, broadcast live on Thairath both on TV and online.
Chanathip Songkrasin, a player for BG Pathum United who is not on the current national team roster due to an injury, recalled two past matches against China.
“The 5-1 win over China in 2013 was with a relatively young squad. P'Tee (Sintavee Hathairattanakul) joked that we might have to stoop down to pick balls out of our net a lot. That day seemed to be a national day for China because the stadium was packed. They expected to crush us badly. It was a mixed-age team; P'Aum played left back and I was left wing. Many thought we'd be thrashed, but after our win, everything changed. People celebrated with us, and China even fired their coach that day. It became a moment where opposing fans started cheering for us. When fans shouted support, we felt like they were cheering us on to ease the pressure. It was a fun time in our youth.”
Chanathip shared about another match: “At the 2014 Asian Games, we were in a room like a Korean flat without air conditioning, very high ceiling. My roommates included Chappuis, P'Flash, P'Golf, P'Too, and Ton Narubodin. We were playing a game at night when Coach Zico came in and said, ‘If you lose to China, pack up and go home immediately.’ We were just playing casually, nothing serious or involving money, more like Uno. Coach Koke used psychological tactics because the match was in two days. In the end, we won 2-0.”
The Thailand national team will have two friendly matches: the first at home against Kuwait on 5 June, and then an away match against China on 9 June 2026.
The June schedule for the Thailand senior national team is as follows.
Thailand vs. Kuwait
5 June 2026 ⏰ 19:30
Pathum Thani Stadium
Tickets are available at >> https://bit.ly/3R8o5bn
China vs. Thailand
9 June 2026 ⏰ 18:35 (Thailand time)
Jinhua Sports Center Stadium
Live broadcast on Thairath TV Channel 32, www.thairath.co.th/tv/live, Facebook: Thairath TV www.facebook.com/ThairathTV, Thairath Sport www.facebook.com/ThairathSport, and YouTube: Thairath Sport