Thailand named a 23-player squad for the 2026 King’s Cup on November 3, recalling Theerathon Bunmathan while leaving out Chanathip Songkrasin. SGGP reported that coach Anthony Hudson described balancing national-team requirements with club commitments as a central selection challenge.
Continuity alongside returning players
Theerathon had last appeared in the March international window. Bongda24h also reported his return, alongside Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Weerathep Pomphan and Suphanat Mueanta. Both reports attributed Chanathip’s absence to personal reasons.
Hudson retained much of the group that finished runner-up at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. Sarach Yooyen, Supachok Sarachat and goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai remain involved, while Jude Soonsup-Bell is another attacking option. A squad call-up, however, does not establish who will start.
SGGP relayed Hudson’s acknowledgement of recurring debate over selections. He said decisions had to reflect actual circumstances and recognised the importance of Thai clubs’ regional and continental competitions.
The route through the tournament
The schedule reported by SGGP and Bongda24h has Thailand facing Brunei at 19:30 on November 14, after Oman meet Tajikistan at 16:00. The winners advance to the November 17 final, while the losing semifinalists play for third place. Sisaket hosts the 52nd edition.
Thailand’s final opponent and placing are therefore still contingent on the semifinal result. The immediate task is to assemble and prepare the available players before Brunei, with club-versus-country scheduling remaining part of the selection context described by Hudson.