Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac announced his 23-member squad for next month's Asian Cup that will be led by Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan.
The Serb axed three players -- Peerapat Notechaiya, Shinnaphat Leeaoh and Supachok Sarachart -- from his initial 27-man squad.
Goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan withdrew from the team on Tuesday after failing to recover from a foot injury.
Chanathip, Teerasil and Theerathon did not play in the AFF Suzuki Cup because of their club duties in the Japanese league.
Without the trio and Kawin, who plays for OH Leuven in Belgium, defending Suzuki Cup champions Thailand crashed out in the semi-finals of the Southeast Asian championship earlier this month.
Chanathip is seen as crucial to Thailand's campaign at the Asian Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates from Jan 5-Feb 1.
Dubbed 'Messi Jay' by the Thai press, the playmaker is considered the country's best player at the moment.
The 25-year-old helped his club Consadole Sapporo finish fourth in Japan's top flight this year and became the first player from Southeast Asia to be selected as one of the best 11 players in the Japanese league.
"I want to help Thailand reach at least the last-16 round at the Asian Cup. Every player is looking forward to the tournament," said the Nakhon Pathom native.
"The Asian Cup is the biggest tournament in Asia and we all want to get good results. Several players, including myself, will play in it for the first time. I am very proud and happy to be part of the team.
"When we are in the national team, we always work hard every day."
Also in the squad is misfiring striker Siroch Chatthong, who was surprisingly recalled to the national team.
Due to Siroch's lack of goals, Rajevac may use him as a defensive midfielder because he is tall and has the pace.
Thailand team director Kitisak Jampathippong said: "It is disappointing that we lost Kawin because he is one of the best players of our team. But I believe the three goalkeepers in the team -- Siwarak, Chatchai and Saranont -- can do a good job. They have been with the team since the AFF Suzuki Cup. We will do our best at the Asian Cup for the country, fans and Kawin. We want to write a new chapter in the tournament."
Thailand last played at the continental championship when the country co-hosted the 2007 edition.
In six previous appearances, the War Elephants have only progressed beyond the group phase once -- in 1972 when they finished in third position.
At the UAE tournament, Thailand are in Group A with the hosts, India and Bahrain.
They face India on Jan 6, Bahrain on Jan 10 and the UAE on Jan 14.
The top two teams in each of six groups and four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage.
