National coach Kiatisak Senamuang said yesterday Thailand could win a spot at next year's Olympics.
Thailand's Chanathip Songkrasin in action against North Korea. Chanat Katanyu
Thailand have secured a berth at the Asian U23 Championship in Qatar in January after finishing second in Group G of the qualifying round in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Thailand drew 0-0 with North Korea in their last group game at Rajamangala National Stadium, and were only behind the Koreans on goal difference.
The Thais were one of the five best runners-up in the qualifying round and will join 10 group winners and hosts Qatar at the Asian U23 Championship.
The top three teams at the Qatar finals will represent Asia at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Among the qualifiers are Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, China, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.
Kiatisak said every team at the Asian U23 Championship could qualify for the Olympics.
"Everybody has hopes. We finished fourth at last year's Asian Games and we can hope for an Olympic berth if we are not in a tough group [in Qatar]," he said.
The football tournaments at the Olympics and Asian Games are for U23 players.
Kiatisak called on the Football Association of Thailand to send the team to train overseas and arrange warm-up games against class teams.
Thailand have played at the Olympics twice in 1956 in Melbourne and in 1968 in Mexico City.
Meanwhile, the Thai full national side will begin the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in June when the U23 team will defend the SEA Games title in Singapore.
Kiatisak, who oversees both teams, said midfielder Chanathip 'Messi Jay' Songkrasin would play at the SEA Games.
The 21-year-old star has been a key player of both teams.