SOCCER PLAYERS from Thailand

Top 10

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Thai Soccer Players of all time. This list of famous Thai Soccer Players is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Thai Soccer Players.

1. Buakaw Banchamek (b. 1982)

With an HPI of 49.25, Buakaw Banchamek is the most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 25 different languages on wikipedia.

Sombat Banchamek (Thai: สมบัติ บัญชาเมฆ, born May 8, 1982), also known by his ring name Buakaw Banchamek (Thai: บัวขาว บัญชาเมฆ, Buakaw meaning "white lotus") is a Thai professional Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer. Known for his fierce fighting style, he is regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time. His time at Por Pramuk gym, which started in 1997, saw him collect several belts and championships. He won the featherweight title at Omnoi Stadium, and would later take the lightweight belt at Omnoi. In late 2002, he won the highly-regarded Toyota Marathon at 140lbs which was held at Lumpini Stadium. He entered the Japanese fighting promotion K-1 Max in 2004. Banchamek won the tournament in 2004 defeating John Wayne Parr and Masato Kobayashi. In 2006, he gained the K-1 Max belt for a second time. The marketing of K-1 and its promotion on the international stage saw Banchamek become a household name in his home country and abroad. After his time with K-1, Banchamek became the Shoot Boxing S-Cup Champion in 2010. He also participated in Max Muay Thai fights and in 2012 and 2011 was the Thai Fight Tournament Champion. Apart from his competitive career, Banchamek has also been an ambassador for Muay Thai, actively promoting the sport and helping it gain recognition on the global stage. In 2023, he led the largest Wai Kru performance, setting a Guiness World Record. He has also embarked on an acting career, starring in the Thai action films Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya (2010) and Thong Dee Fun Khao (2017).

2. Kiatisuk Senamuang (b. 1973)

With an HPI of 45.19, Kiatisuk Senamuang is the 2nd most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 24 different languages.

Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thai: เกียรติศักดิ์ เสนาเมือง; born 11 August 1973) is a Thai football manager and former player (played between 1989 and October 2007). He is nicknamed "Thai Zico" by fans. During his eighteen-year career Kiatisuk played as a striker and scored 251 goals in 339 appearances. The former forward played for clubs in Malaysia, Singapore, England and Vietnam as well as in his homeland. Kiatisuk also earned 131 caps and scored 70 goals for Thailand between 1992 and 2007. Between 2014 and 2017, Kiatisuk was manager of the Thai senior team and, (2013–2016), the Thailand U-23 team. Previously, in 2013, he had also been the caretaker manager of Thailand. Kiatisuk has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Dhurakij Pundit University and Master of Business Administration from Chandrakasem Rajabhat University.

3. Piyapong Pue-on (b. 1962)

With an HPI of 44.31, Piyapong Pue-on is the 3rd most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 18 different languages.

Piyapong Pue-on (Thai: ปิยะพงษ์ ผิวอ่อน; RTGS: Piyaphong Phio-on; born Padej Khankruea (Thai: เผด็จ ขันเครือ; RTGS: Phadet Khankhruea; 14 November 1959) is a Thai former football player who played as a striker. He was a member of the Thailand national team and also played for South Korean side Lucky-Goldstar FC.

4. Chanathip Songkrasin (b. 1993)

With an HPI of 41.81, Chanathip Songkrasin is the 4th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 41 different languages.

Chanathip Songkrasin (Thai: ชนาธิป สรงกระสินธ์, pronounced [t͡ɕʰā.nāː.tʰíp sǒŋ.krā.sǐn]; born 5 October 1993), is a Thai professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Thai League 1 club BG Pathum United.

5. Teerasil Dangda (b. 1988)

With an HPI of 41.49, Teerasil Dangda is the 5th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 40 different languages.

Teerasil Dangda (Thai: ธีรศิลป์ แดงดา, pronounced [tʰīː.rā.sǐn dɛ̄ːŋ.dāː]; born 6 June 1988) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as a striker for Thai League club BG Pathum United and the Thailand national team. Teerasil has played his trade in England, Switzerland, Spain, and Japan during his professional football career. He is currently the third-highest all-time goal scorer in the Thai League 1 and the highest local all-time goal scorer in the league with 143 goals.

6. Theerathon Bunmathan (b. 1990)

With an HPI of 39.20, Theerathon Bunmathan is the 6th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 33 different languages.

Theerathon Bunmathan (Thai: ธีราทร บุญมาทัน, RTGS: Thirathon Bunmathan, pronounced [tʰīː.rāː.tʰɔ̄ːn būn.māː.tʰān]; born 6 March 1990) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as a left back for Buriram United. He has also been used as a midfielder during the later of his career. Considered one of the best defenders in the Southeast Asia region in history, he is renowned for his versatility, technical skills and ability to contribute effectively in both defensive and offensive roles on the field which he frequently takes set pieces scoring from a free kick and corners. Theerathon is the first Thai player to win the J1 League with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2019.

7. Kawin Thamsatchanan (b. 1990)

With an HPI of 33.88, Kawin Thamsatchanan is the 7th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 28 different languages.

Kawin Thamsatchanan (Thai: กวินทร์ ธรรมสัจจานันท์, pronounced [kā.wīn tʰām.sàt.t͡ɕāː.nān]; born 26 January 1990) is a Thai retired professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

8. Mina Tanaka (b. 1994)

With an HPI of 33.37, Mina Tanaka is the 8th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  Her biography has been translated into 35 different languages.

Mina Tanaka (田中 美南, Tanaka Mina, born April 28, 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for National Women's Soccer League club Utah Royals and the Japan women's national team. She has previously played for Nippon TV Beleza, Bayer Leverkusen, and INAC Kobe Leonessa.

9. Supachok Sarachat (b. 1998)

With an HPI of 31.58, Supachok Sarachat is the 9th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 17 different languages.

Supachok Sarachat (Thai: สุภโชค สารชาติ, pronounced [sù(p).pʰā.tɕʰôːk sǎː.rā.tɕʰâːt]; born 22 May 1998) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for J1 League club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and the Thailand national team.

10. Datsakorn Thonglao (b. 1983)

With an HPI of 29.79, Datsakorn Thonglao is the 10th most famous Thai Soccer Player.  Her biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Datsakorn Thonglao (Thai: ดัสกร ทองเหลา, RTGS: Datsakon Thonglao, pronounced [dàt.sā.kɔ̄ːn tʰɔ̄ːŋ.lǎw], born 30 December 1983), simply known as Go (Thai: โก้, RTGS: Ko, pronounced [kôː]) is a Thai former footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder. He was known for his deadly free kicks and set-pieces.