It was a moment destined for the history books of Thailand’s high school football scene — a viral phenomenon that spread across the nation overnight and became a sensation embraced by the public and businesses alike.
After creating a nationwide buzz on Saturday, November 8, when Bangkok’s Supachalasai Stadium drew more than 36,000 spectators — the largest youth football crowd in 32 years — the team from Chachoengsao’s Mon Thong Wittaya School continued to captivate fans. The school’s name, instantly recognizable because Monthong is a famous durian variety, became a cultural talking point.
Even after losing 2–1 to Chainat PAO School in the final of the 7HD Football Champion Cup 2025, the team’s following only grew.
Nearly a week later, excitement had not died down. When Mon Thong Wittaya traveled for a special exhibition match against the popular YouTuber team Boy Tha Phrachan at Chachoengsao Municipality Stadium on November 14, crowds again flocked to see them.
Vendors rushed to secure space near the basketball court to sell souvenirs. Team jerseys sold briskly at 400–600 baht, despite being pricier than typical T-shirts. The jersey of No. 6, teen idol Tae-Varakorn Changkian, was in especially high demand — widely compared to being “harder to find than gold.”
A Cinderella Run That Won the Nation
Before the 7HD Cup final, Mon Thong Wittaya had already captured the nation’s imagination. Once considered underdogs, they stunned the country by defeating powerhouse programs such as Thepsirin School and Assumption College Sriracha to reach the final.
From that moment, the school’s name spread nationwide. Though they finished as runners-up, they became the talk of the town and, more importantly, a symbol of hope at a time when many Thais were weighed down by economic uncertainty.
Social media hailed the team’s journey as one of the most uplifting stories of the year — something that brought smiles, laughter, and tears of pride to millions.
More than 80% of fans who packed Supachalasai Stadium were middle-class workers, many originally from upcountry but now living in Bangkok. They came to cheer what felt like their own hometown team, turning the weekend match into a family outing and a lesson for children on sportsmanship and healthy competition.
The “Super Coach” Behind the Dream
Although Mon Thong Wittaya fell to Chainat PAO in the final, the small school from Chachoengsao became a national giant thanks to its coach, Sakol Kliangprasert, widely known as the “Super Coach” of youth football.
A former coach at Rajavinit Bangkaew and Surasak Montri schools, Sakol has long dedicated himself to developing players often overlooked by major institutions. Many of his students come from low-income families, separated households, or challenging backgrounds.
He chooses them not for prestige, but because he sees grit and the desire to chase a dream.
His guiding principle is simple: discipline — train hard when it’s time to train, rest when it’s time to rest. Master that, he says, and everything else can be developed.
The Old Blue Truck: A Symbol of Faith
Part of the team’s legend comes from an old blue pickup truck affectionately called the “Dream Carrier.”
Driven by Coach Sakol, the battered, non-air-conditioned truck carried players across Thailand for matches. The boys sat shoulder to shoulder, not in comfort, but in belief.
“This truck has taken us from the very beginning. It is our dream carrier,” Sakol said.
The truck didn’t just bring them to football fields — it carried them through the journey of perseverance, showing the country that success is not defined by what vehicle you travel in, but by the heart that drives you forward.
Their story mirrors countless people who start from nothing — rising through learning, resilience, and the courage to overcome mistakes. Doors don’t always open on their own; sometimes you must build them yourself, brick by brick.
Nationwide Support From Public and Private Sectors
Following their viral success, institutions and businesses quickly stepped in to support the team.
Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat called the movement an inspiring phenomenon. She announced that the ministry would expand on the public–private–civil model used in the Connext ED and Partnership School Projects to develop more than 7,000 schools nationwide, with a special focus on strengthening sports programs and coaching networks.
Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU) offered full scholarships to players from both Mon Thong Wittaya and Chainat PAO, emphasizing that a student’s value extends far beyond the scoreboard.
True Corporation donated 100,000 baht per team and provided mobile and fiber-internet packages, praising the players as role models for youth across Thailand.
Lactasoy Co., Ltd., led by the Jirapattanakul family, became one of the earliest supporters, supplying beverages and essential items.
Other donors included: Sondhi Limthongkul – 1,000,000 baht, Madame Fin (Naree Cheewasuttisin) – 350,000 baht, Aum Patchrapa Chaichua – 20,000 baht, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatpaiboon – 100,000 baht (50,000 baht for each team), Boy Tha Phrachan – 20,000 baht, Local restaurants – 100,000 baht, and Pimrypie (Pimradaporn Benjawattanapat) – 100,000 baht plus funding for a new football field on a 10-rai plot at Mon Thong Wittaya School.
A New “Dream Bus” and New Challenges Ahead
Most recently, on November 12, Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd. (TSB) donated a 100% electric bus worth 4.5 million baht to Mon Thong Wittaya School. The bus will be used to safely transport young footballers as they continue pursuing their dreams.
TSB will also provide driver training and assign technicians to assist with maintenance and repairs.
The arrival of this new dream-carrying bus — along with the fame and financial support pouring in — now presents a new challenge for this small football club: how to continue growing, developing, and standing tall as Thailand’s new “dream team.”
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