Rising Thai Footballers Selected for Bundesliga Dream Thailand 3.0 in Germany

• Thailand’s Bundesliga Dream 3.0 project has selected 17 young players for the U15 squad, set to train at top Bundesliga academies in Germany
• The selected players will play friendlies against FC Augsburg, VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt
• The Bundesliga Dream project aims to nurture emerging football talent in Thailand and prepare them for international competitions

20 August 2025 – The next wave of Thai footballing talent is ready to fly to Germany for a once-in-a-life time experience following Wednesday’s announcement that 17 youngsters have been selected for the Bundesliga Dream Thailand 3.0 project. The announcement was made at a press conference today in Bangkok.

The final squad was whittled down following a nationwide scouting process for the final group who will head to Germany to train at the top-class facilities of Bundesliga clubs FC Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.

After a final preparation camp on home soil, the squad for Bundesliga Dream Thailand 3.0 will fly in late September to Germany, where they are also earmarked to play friendly matches against the academy teams of FC Augsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart.

Throughout their stay in Germany, the players will have the unique opportunity to meet Bundesliga players, experience live top-flight matches, and immerse themselves in Germany’s rich footballing culture.

Dr. Ernst Reichel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivered the opening remarks ahead of representatives from the project’s key partners Bundesliga International, broadcaster PPTV HD36, Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the Football Association of Thailand. Sponsors Umbro and Bangkok Airways have also helped make Bundesliga Dream Thailand 3.0 a reality.

The Bundesliga is proud to play a role in nurturing the next generation of football talent in Thailand.

Kevin Sim, Head of Asia Pacific, Bundesliga International

The Under-15 Thai youngsters all hope to follow in the footstep of former Hertha BSC and 1. FC Saarbrücken midfielder Witthaya Laohakul, who was the first player from Thailand to play in the Bundesliga.

“The Bundesliga is proud to play a role in nurturing the next generation of football talent in Thailand. For many of these 17 young players, this will be their first time training and competing overseas, giving them an invaluable opportunity to experience professional environments in top German academies and to test themselves against high-quality opposition at a formative stage in their development,” said Kevin Sim, Head of Asia Pacific, Bundesliga International.

“Through the Bundesliga Dream project across Asia, we have been able to provide emerging talent first-hand experience of what it is like to train and play within the German youth system. We believe the third edition of Bundesliga Dream Thailand will not only support the development of these players but also inspire the wider next generation to follow in the footsteps of pioneers like Witthaya Laohakul and aim for professional success at the highest level.”

The Bundesliga Dream project was initiated in Thailand by Bundesliga International and PPTV HD36, which has driven the programme over its three editions in close collaboration with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the Football Association of Thailand.

“Over the past three editions, PPTV has been proud to drive the Bundesliga Dream project, opening doors for young Thai footballers to experience world-class standards of the game. This year, we aim to build on that success by inspiring youth nationwide and equipping selected players with the readiness to compete on the international stage,” said Khun Pornchai Poonlamlert, Acting President, PPTV HD Channel 36.

“We are also grateful for the continued support of our sponsors Umbro and Bangkok Airways, whose partnership is vital in helping us deliver this programme to the highest standards, and in ensuring Bundesliga Dream Thailand continues to create meaningful opportunities for the future of Thai football.”

“The Sports Authority of Thailand fully supports the Bundesliga Dream project as it aligns closely with our mission to elevate Thai athletes to international standards. By providing talented youngsters with access to world-class training, competition and professional environments, this project creates a clear pathway for athletes to grow into elite footballers,” said Nittaya Kerdjuntuk, Director of Development, Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

“This initiative not only provides opportunities for players but also strengthens Thai football by promoting international collaboration and long-term development. We are confident that Bundesliga Dream Thailand will play a key role in preparing the next generation of Thai footballers for success on the global stage.”

Bundesliga Dream Thailand 3.0 will be showcased in a 10‑episode feature on PPTV Sports Corner and an accompanying documentary series on PPTV HD 36. In addition to the television broadcasts, coverage will also be available on PPTV’s digital platforms, including YouTube, with supplementary short‑form content released on TikTok and Facebook, ensuring fans nationwide can follow the team’s journey across multiple channels.

Content creators Geno and Opal will also join the journey as they document first-hand experience of what Bundesliga Dream is all about.

In June 2025, the Bundesliga extended their decade-long partnership with PPTV, keeping German league football on free-to-air television in Thailand. Reaffirming the league’s commitment to developing football in Thailand and building upon the success of the previous editions of Bundesliga Dream.

The previous edition of Bundesliga Dream Thailand achieved a nationwide television reach of more than 7 million viewers, further amplified through digital platforms which generated over 19 million impressions. These results underscore the strong engagement and growing anticipation among Thai audiences for the country’s emerging football talents.

Furthermore, Bundesliga clubs continue to establish a strong presence in Thailand. In June this year, FC Augsburg entered a three-year partnership with Thai club Buriram United F.C, joining FC Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund who have established themselves in Thailand.

Bundesliga Dream projects are currently also active in China, Korea, Vietnam and India, with more countries in the pipeline. This is part of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga’s strategy of providing an organic pathway to play at the top level in Germany.