Thailand is among the strongest of the 11 Southeast Asian nations. Regular winners in the regional tournaments, the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games (1995, 1997, 1999) and the Asean Football Federation's Tiger Cup (1996), Thailand tried hard to break into the next level - Asia. By the 90s, Thailand was already doing just that and made the 1992 and 1996 final rounds of the Asian Cup but found the going tough on both occasions.

Thailand has produced some skillful players, some of whom have ventured beyond the borders of the country. Some have headed for the more lucrative professional leagues within the region while some have even headed for the English League. Their striker, Kiatisuk Senamuang, was enlisted by a first division side in 1999.