*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:26, 27 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 June 2024
Theerathon Bunmathan (Thai: ธีราทร บุญมาทัน, RTGS: Thirathon Bunmathan, pronounced[tʰīː.rāː.tʰɔ̄ːnbūn.māː.tʰān]; born 6 March 1990) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as a left back for Buriram United. He has also been used as a midfielder during the later of his career. Considered one of the best defenders in the Southeast Asia region in history, he is renowned for his versatility, technical skills and ability to contribute effectively in both defensive and offensive roles on the field which he frequently takes set pieces scoring from a free kick and corners.
Theeraton at Thai Premier League Celebration day in 2013Theerathon with Thailand national team in 2019Theerathon (left) with Thailand national team versus Japan national team in 2024
In May 2016, it was announced that after spending seven years with Buriram United, he would be joining arch rivals Muangthong United the following month on a five-year contract for an all-time record for the highest football transfer fee for Thai League 1 at 35 million Baht. That record was soon broken on 2 November 2016 by Tanaboon Kesarat. The transfer fee is undisclosed but it is estimated to be around 50 million Baht.[4]
In January 2019, Yokohama F. Marinos reached an agreement on loan to Theerathon from Muangthong United to play for the 2019 season. Hereafter, in March 2019, he started his first league match for the club in the match in which Yokohama opened the home match against former rival, Kawasaki Frontale with scores ended up in a 2–2 draw.
Later, in July 2019 Theerathon was named the J.League's Best Team of the Week after which he helped the team to beat Vissel Kobe, his former team with a score of 2–0. On 31 August 2019, Theerathon scored the first goal in the league and in the name of the club helped Yokohama open their home defeat to Gamba Osaka with a score of 3–1 and on 7 December 2019, the season-ending match of J.League Theerathon scored 1 goal and assists, helping Yokohama opens the house 3–0 defeat to FC Tokyo became the first Thai player to be champions of the J.League.[7][8][9]
In December 2021, after 4 years in Japan, Theerathon returned home to re-joined his former club Buriram United.[14] He was also named in the 26-man squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.[15]
International career
Theerathon played against Saudi Arabia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification and received a red card in the 90th minute. After that match he went to Indonesia to play for Thailand U-23 in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. He was Thailand U-23's starter and received an early yellow card, followed by a second one a few minutes after which resulted in a red card, thus becoming the first player in Thai football to get two red cards in three days.
Theerathon's scored a penalty in a friendly match against Laos. His second international goal is a rebound from Jakkraphan Pornsai's free kick. His form in the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup is very impressive combined with Anucha Kitpongsri who played on the left side of the field.
In December 2018, Bunmathan was called up for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.[16] In January 2024, he was named in the 26-man squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.[17] He earned his 100th cap with the national team against Oman in the second group stage match of the Asian tournament.[18]
Style of play
A versatile defender, Theerathon regularly plays as a left-back, and sometimes he has been deployed as a centre-back, central midfielder, and left midfielder. Although not known to have a fast pace, and his positioning has sometimes been questionable, he possesses a powerful left foot; in which besides his defensive prowess, he is noted for his offensive capabilities and ability to read the game, where he has gained a reputation carrying the ball upfront in attacking plays and supplies his team with passes. Theerathon frequently takes set pieces which is renowned to put the ball in the back of the nets. Theerathon has been noted for his talents being visible since a young age, and he has been singled out for his mentality, consistency, and leadership.
Personal life
On 24 May 2016, Theerathon married Chatrakamol Muangman in a traditional ceremony. The wedding was attended by many teammates and staff from the teams for which Theerathon had played.[19]
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