Kevin Deeromram's reluctance to join the national U23 training camp on the pretext of an injury hasn't gone down well with Thailand coach Akira Nishino and has cost the Port defender his place in the team.
The Thai-Swede left wing back was named among one of the Thai U23 players who have been preparing for the next month's SEA Games in the Philippines and also the AFC U23 Championship, which Thailand will be hosting in January.
Kevin did not join the national training camp with reports suggesting that he had pulled out because of an injury.
However, further reports have emerged that the defender's name was on the list of Port's players for a warm-up game played at the same time the national team training was underway.
Thailand assistant coach Anurak Srikerd said on Friday it was not the first time that Kevin had stayed away from the national team training camp.
"I went to the games at Port many times and Kevin is an exciting player to watch. He has an attacking game and can last on the pitch for the entire duration of a match," said Anurak.
"We [staff coaches] presented his name to head coach, Akira Nishino, for a place on the national team but decided that he would of more use in the U23 team. There are not many left wing backs around who are aged under 23 years, so we wanted him to train with the youth team.
"But we were informed that he could not join the team because he had an injury. And this was not the first time -- every time we give him a national team call-up, he excused himself by citing injury.
"The proper procedure would have been to report to the camp and then pull out. At least, when he is in the camp and he is not feeling well, the national team doctor can look after him.
"His acts show he doesn't realise the importance of being a national team player.
"At first, Nishino said he will not call him for any national side again because Kevin doesn't seem to be willing to play for the national team.
"However, we are not closing the door on him for the national team. We want him to change his attitude because he could be one of the key players for Thailand in the future."
Meanwhile, Nishino, whose house in Japan was damaged by Typhoon Hagibis last weekend, will call the senior national players for training from Oct 31-Nov 3 after the Thai League 1 season is over on Oct 26.
The players will return to camp again on Nov 8 for their World Cup qualifying matches away at Malaysia and Vietnam scheduled for the middle of next month.
Thailand took over the top spot in the Asian zone Group G standings following their 2-1 home victory over the UAE on Tuesday. They have seven points -- the same as Vietnam who beat Indonesia 3-1 away on the same day -- but have a better goal difference.
The UAE are third with six points followed by Malaysia, who have three points. Indonesia have yet to claim any point.