Thailand’s national football team convened on Tuesday for a ten-day training camp ahead of the Asean Championship, branded the Hyundai Cup 2026.
The camp marks the start of their bid to reclaim regional dominance, with the opening fixture against Laos scheduled for July 25 at the Laos National Stadium.
Among the notable names reporting for duty are Sarach Yooyen, Manuel Tom Bihr, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Pansa Hemviboon.
Training began last evening, with head coach Anthony Hudson emphasising both realism and ambition.
“With the squad we have now, I am quite pleased,” Hudson said. “We will try to go as far as we can.
“Vietnam, with their strongest squad and extended preparation, are the favourites. They stopped their league, they’ve had three weeks of training and friendlies. On paper, they are ahead. But I am happy with our group and confident we can progress.”
Thailand, seven-time champions of the competition, have been drawn in Group B alongside Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines.
While Hudson acknowledged the challenge posed by Vietnam and Singapore, he insisted Thailand would not be overawed.
“We don’t want to put pressure on them, but comfortably I would say they are the favourites,” he added.
Off the pitch, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) confirmed changes at board level.
Adisak Phancharoenworakul has been appointed as a member of the FAT executive board to replace Tanawat Nitikanchana.
FAT president Nualphan Lamsam, widely known as “Madam Pang”, chaired an online executive committee meeting on Tuesday from the association’s Bangkok headquarters, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to stability as the national side embarks on its campaign.
Adisak is the chairman of Thai League 1 side Ayutthaya United.