Thailand head coach Milovan Rajevac has appointed SCG Muang Thong United goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan as the new captain of the national team for the match against the United Arab Emirates.
The War Elephants take on the UAE in a World Cup qualifier at Rajamangala National Stadium tomorrow at 7pm.
Rajevac had earlier given the captain's armband to veteran Suphanburi goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool, who skippered the Thai team in their 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan in a friendly in Tashkent last week.
No players from Muang Thong United, who currently lead the Thai League 1 standings, were selected for the national squad which travelled to Tashkent.
Kawin said: "In the first place, I am just happy to be a part of the national team in the Rajevac era. I have been able to learn a few new things.
"When the coach told me that he wanted me to be the new captain of the national team, I felt highly honoured.
"I will try my best to live up to everyone's expectations.
"To be the captain of the national team, to me, is the highest honour and I am proud that I have been trusted for this high-profile job.
"The reason that Rajevac wants to have a goalkeeper as the captain is because a goalkeeper can see the whole game and control things."
Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), attended the national team's training session yesterday morning at Kiarti Thanee Country Club.
Prolific striker Teerasil Dangda did not train with the team in the morning session as he went to the hospital to get his back injury checked on.
Meanwhile, the world governing body Fifa has changed the referee for the game between Thailand and the UAE.
An official from Qatar was originally scheduled to referee the match.
It is believed that the decision has been taken in view of the latest blockade of Qatar imposed by other Arab countries.
Many Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Yemen, Egypt and Libya, have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar.
The new team of match officials will be from Singapore and Malaysia.