Vietnamese media spread fake news claiming Achitpol Keereerom failed in the European league and was taken back to Thailand to ordain as a monk.
On 24 Dec 2025, Thethao247, a well-known Vietnamese sports media with 1.9 million followers, reported that Achitpol Keereerom, former Thai U23 national team player for Schwaben Augsburg, decided to end his football career in Germany to return to Thailand and ordain at a temple in Loei Province.
The report stated that Achitpol Keereerom, a Thai midfielder, chose to pause his football career in Germany to return to Thailand and enter the monkhood at age 24. This decision was said to stem from failure in his European football career; although he had played in Germany for several years, he was unable to achieve notable success.
However, this report is false. Achitpol Keereerom, a key player for Thailand's U23 team at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, plays for Schwaben Augsburg in the Bayern Liga (Germany's 4th division). This season, he has appeared in 19 matches and scored 4 goals.
This ordination took place during the league's break. Achitpol ordained to repay the kindness of his parents according to Buddhist principles at Si Chan Temple, Na O Subdistrict, Mueang District, Loei Province, on 22 December 2025. He received the Dhamma name Atthakaro, meaning "one who does good."