Thai footballers have been barred from using social media during training ahead of their defence of the SEA Games title later this month, team manager Watanya Wongopasi said yesterday.
Thai football players report for SEA Games training.
"We want our players to stay focused during our preparations for the SEA Games so they are not allowed to use social media at the training camp," Watanya said after 26 players began training yesterday.
"We only have five days to train [before flying to Malaysia] so we want the players to train hard without any distractions. We are only seeking the players' cooperation and will not seize their mobile phones."
Watanya said she was confident that the team would retain the title.
The squad will be trimmed to 20 men ahead of the SEA Games in Malaysia where the football tournament is for U22 players.
Two-time defending champions Thailand are in Group B with Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
Group A consists of Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Laos and Brunei.
The top two teams of each group advance to the semi-finals.
The Thais will begin their campaign in Kuala Lumpur against Indonesia on Aug 15.
Thailand coach Worrawoot Srimakha said he was worried about his players' fitness.
"We have several injured players and only three of them are fully fit," Worrawoot said.
Among the injured players are Chenrop Samphaodi, Suriya Singmui and Chaiyawat Buran.
However, Worrawoot said he had players who could play in their positions.
Worrawoot said he would not underestimate any opponents although some are regarded as minnows.
"They do not have pressure when they play against us," he said.