Football Siam

The ones that got away: four players, four answers to Thailand’s diaspora question

by Simon Causton | Oct 12, 2026 | Long Read, Thai National Team

Felix Paschke retired at 23 on Saturday without ever being asked to play for Thailand. Set him beside Erawan Garnier, Stipe Ukich and Eric Kahl, and his story says less about bad luck than about a federation that waits. On Saturday Borussia Dortmund announced, in the...

Thailand’s final was lost in the 97th minute of somebody else’s match

by Simon Causton | Oct 10, 2026 | ASEAN Cup, Thai National Team

Four days before Indonesia beat Thailand on penalties at Gelora Bung Karno, Mitchell Baker scored his fifth goal against Bangladesh in the seventh minute of stoppage time. That goal did not just put Indonesia in the final. It decided who Thailand would play, where the...

“Stay in your lane”: how a medal ceremony became threats against Manuel Bihr’s family

by Simon Causton | Oct 9, 2026 | ASEAN Cup, Interview, Thai National Team

After the ASEAN Cup final, Manuel Bihr walked past one Indonesian hand on purpose and, by his account, missed another by accident. Within hours his wife’s inbox was full of messages wishing death on her family and calling their children autistic. Ola Bihr has...

Brave is not a plan: Thailand lose another final with the answer sitting on the bench

by Simon Causton | Oct 6, 2026 | ASEAN Cup, Thai National Team

Indonesia are the first FIFA ASEAN Cup champions after a 2-2 draw and a 4-2 shootout win in Jakarta. Thailand scored twice with ten men and went home with nothing but adjectives. The numbers suggest they never needed to play it that way. Emil Audero went to his left,...

FIFA ASEAN Cup final: Indonesia v Thailand — the nine changes, the numbers, and the side Hudson has been saving

by Simon Causton | Oct 5, 2026 | ASEAN Cup, Thai National Team

Thailand play the first FIFA-sanctioned ASEAN Cup final tonight, in front of 67,000 in Jakarta, against hosts they have not lost to in five meetings. The team sheets say Anthony Hudson has been building towards it since the Vietnam game. Nine. That is how many of the...

FIFA ASEAN Cup: Indonesia reach the final on goals scored, and Thailand are waiting

by Simon Causton | Oct 3, 2026 | ASEAN Cup, Thai National Team

Mitchell Baker scores five, Malaysia win 6-0, go out on goals scored and ask FIFA to explain the added time, and Thailand are abysmal against the Philippines. Plus: previews of Monday’s final at the Gelora Bung Karno and the bronze match between Malaysia and...