Sixteen-year-old Suphanat Mueanta has won his first senior call-up while veteran striker Teerasil Dangda will captain Thailand in the King's Cup tournament this week.
Forward Suphanat is among the 23 members of the final squad announced by coach Sirisak Yodyardthai yesterday.
Buriram's rising star is not the only first timer in the tournament as Ratchaburi's Pawee Tantatemee and Port's Siwakorn Jakkuprasart have also received call-ups.
The 30-year-old Teerasil, from SCG Muang Thong United, is likely to become the fifth Thai player to win 100 caps during the tournament. He has scored 43 goals from 99 games for Thailand and is ranked third on the Kingdom's all-time scoring list.
Thailand will play Southeast Asian rivals Vietnam on Wednesday while Curacao will take on India in the other opening match at Chang Arena in Buri Ram. The winners will meet in Sunday's final and the losers meet in a third-place play-off on the same day.
"This is the best squad for the national team at the moment. I hope that these 23 players will do their best in the King's Cup, " said Sirisak.
Sirisak insisted that Suphanat's selection to the senior squad was not too early.
"I have been monitoring Suphanat's progress for a long time since he joined Buriram United's first team. He has improved so much and has helped the team very well," said Sirisak.
Totchtawan resigns
Totchtawan Sripan has resigned as coach of struggling Thai League 1 side Suphanburi FC yesterday.
Suphanburi failed to win their last five matches in all competitions and are currently at the bottom of the 16-team Thai League 1 standings following their 3-0 defeat at Ratchaburi on Wednesday.
Sathaporn Wajakum has been named caretaker coach by the club.
However, rumours are swirling that Totchtawan has been approached by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to become next head coach of the national team.
