ASIAN ICE HOCKEY

The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2025 SEA Games is fully underway, with Thailand widely regarded as the clear favorite for gold. With attention around the home team steadily growing, one jersey stands out in Thailand’s lineup.

All Eyes on No. 15

The No. 15 jersey that keeps drawing attention in the stands belongs to Thanachai Sakchaicharoenkul – a 21-year-old forward whose off-ice life as a T-pop star and rising GMMTV actor makes his presence on the ice anything but ordinary.

His presence in Thailand’s lineup appears to have played a major role in the surge of interest surrounding the team at the 2025 SEA Games, both inside the arena and online. The Thailand–Indonesia clash attracted a staggering 230,000 live viewers on YouTube alone.

So who exactly is this multi-talented young star, juggling multiple careers at once while wearing Thailand’s national jersey?

Thanachai Sakchaicharoenkul – A Career Taking Shape on Multiple Fronts

Born on June 26, 2004, Thanachai Sakchaicharoenkul began pursuing both sport and the arts at a very young age. While building careers across different fields, he also stayed focused on education, graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Kasetsart University in Bangkok. (1)

At club level, he plays for the Rangers in the Bangkok Ice Hockey Championship. In the most recent season, held from May to August 2025, he recorded 11 points with 5 goals and 6 assists. (2)

Making His Mark on the International Stage

His most memorable performance in a Thailand jersey came at the 2022 IIHF U20 Asia and Oceania Championship on home ice in Bangkok. In a dramatic final against Singapore (4–3), he delivered a hat trick and added an assist to lead Thailand to a prized title.

He made his senior national team debut in 2023 during Olympic qualification in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Last season, he featured at both the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin and the World Championship Division 2B in New Zealand.

Kin Thanachai as a Singer – A T-Pop Breakout Star Crossing Into the Mainstream

As a singer, Sakchaicharoenkul performs under the name KIN. He stormed onto the T-Pop scene in 2022 with his debut single “Yoo Kon Deaw Mun Ngao,” which became an instant hit and remains his biggest success to date. Later that year, he released the well-received EP “Adrenaline.” In 2024, KIN returned with two new singles that once again resonated strongly with the local scene. (3)

Kin Thanachai and His First Steps Into Acting

In 2024, Kin began shifting more of his focus toward acting. He made his television debut in the series The Hidden Moon, blending horror, mystery, and romance. Two romantic projects are already lined up for 2026: Kiss Me, Remember? and You Maniac. (4)

A Perfect Showcase for a Fast-Rising Hockey Nation

Having a player like Kin Thanachai in the lineup is more than a sporting asset. It is powerful promotion. Thailand’s ice hockey has been developing rapidly in recent years, showing some potential to attract wider public attention, and Kin’s presence can accelerate that momentum.

Much like another uniquely Thai storyline – Queen Suthida’s well-known passion for ice hockey – his role bridges sport, culture, and visibility in a way few national programs can replicate.

Peem Tanat: Another Pop-Culture Crossover on Thailand’s Roster

Despite how rare the combination of ice hockey and a music or acting career may seem, Kin Thanachai is not alone in Thailand’s lineup. Another eye-catching case is his 18-year-old teammate Tanat Limpanyakul, better known by his nickname Peem. Already signed to a music label and awaiting his official debut, Peem has built a massive following, with more than 560,000 followers on Instagram at such a young age.

In Peem’s case, the crossover between hockey and pop culture runs in the family. His older brother Tatchai “Phutatchai” Limpanyakul is an established T-pop star and a member of the popular group BUS. Notably, Tatchai himself once played ice hockey and represented Thailand at youth national team level, adding yet another layer to Thailand’s increasingly unique blend of sport and pop culture.

Koran D-man Hee Doo Nam as Another Rare Case of Hockey Crossing Into Pop Culture

Balancing multiple careers remains a true rarity in the world of ice hockey. Tha Thai duo, however, is not entirely alone. A comparable case is Hee Doo Nam of HL Anyang in the Asia League, who captained South Korea at the 2026 IIHF Asia Championship. The defenseman is better known at home for his appearances on television shows than for his hockey career.

Sources, Quotes and Notes:

1. th.wikipedia.org
2. bangkokicehockey.net/player-stats/
3. tpop.fandom.com/wiki/KIN_(soloist)
4. imdb.com/name/nm16435153/