Last weekend, amidst a roster of seasoned semi-professional and professional paintball players in Thailand, one name stood out—one familiar to many in the music scene: "Toon," a musician from a popular pop band, who recently transitioned from the concert stage to the simulated battlefield.
He started with airsoft before moving on to competitive paintball with MENACE International last year. In the national team selections last weekend, his name was included among those chosen to represent the country—despite only having picked up a paintball gun for a year.
We spoke with Toon about his journey, from his feelings the moment he learned he was selected, to playing in an international team and overcoming language barriers, and his goals for seeing the Thai paintball scene grow.
He started with airsoft before moving on to competitive paintball with MENACE International last year. In the national team selections last weekend, his name was included among those chosen to represent the country—despite only having picked up a paintball gun for a year.
We spoke with Toon about his journey, from his feelings the moment he learned he was selected, to playing in an international team and overcoming language barriers, and his goals for seeing the Thai paintball scene grow.
"I'm so happy, even though I've only been playing for a year."
You're one of the first Thais to transition from Airsoft to national paintball team athlete in just one year — what did you feel when you heard your name was on the national team list?
"I was incredibly happy because I'd only been playing paintball for a year. It's a great feeling to be a part of the Thai team."
One year — a time frame for many to still be practicing the basics, but for Toon, it was enough time to propel him to the forefront of the sport at the national level.
A musician who has to manage his time effectively.
Many people know you as a musician, but today you're a national team athlete — how do these two roles affect your discipline, pressure, and focus?
You're one of the first Thais to transition from Airsoft to national paintball team athlete in just one year — what did you feel when you heard your name was on the national team list?
"I was incredibly happy because I'd only been playing paintball for a year. It's a great feeling to be a part of the Thai team."
One year — a time frame for many to still be practicing the basics, but for Toon, it was enough time to propel him to the forefront of the sport at the national level.
A musician who has to manage his time effectively.
Many people know you as a musician, but today you're a national team athlete — how do these two roles affect your discipline, pressure, and focus?
"It hasn't affected me much. I might need more rest."
A short answer that says a lot — Toon doesn't see playing two roles as conflicting. The only thing he needs to manage is getting enough rest between his concert tour schedule and practice schedules.
The language barrier: The only obstacle in an international team.
How is playing for MENACE International, an international team, different from practicing with the all-Thai team? Has it changed your mindset or playing style?
"It hasn't changed much, but communication might be a problem because I'm not good at English."
The playing style might not have changed much, but the real challenge is the fundamental language — communication on the court, which requires speed and clarity, has become a hurdle Toon has to overcome with his colored bullets.
Absorbing experience from senior pro players.
Now you have to deal with semi-pro and pro players in the national team — do you think the experience from an international team has helped you adapt faster?
"I've adapted faster because I've gained good experience from many pro players. I hope I've learned a lot from them."
Instead of seeing himself as a nervous newcomer, Toon chooses to see this situation as an opportunity — an opportunity to learn from players who have more experience on the field. And he uses those things to develop himself.
Goal: Champion and bigger scene.
What is your next goal with the Thai national team, and what direction do you want to see Thai paintball take?
"I want to win the championship. I think many Thais are very talented, and I want to see more young players in Thai paintball. I want to see more competitions and more participants."
Toon concluded the conversation with a clear goal — a championship representing the national team — and a message to the industry: he wants to see more young people enter the scene and more frequent competitions to expand the Thai paintball scene.
From the concert stage to the national paintball team in just one year, Toon's journey may inspire many others who are looking for a starting point in this sport — and it shows that success in this field isn't measured by how long you've been playing, but by how much dedication you put into it.
A short answer that says a lot — Toon doesn't see playing two roles as conflicting. The only thing he needs to manage is getting enough rest between his concert tour schedule and practice schedules.
The language barrier: The only obstacle in an international team.
How is playing for MENACE International, an international team, different from practicing with the all-Thai team? Has it changed your mindset or playing style?
"It hasn't changed much, but communication might be a problem because I'm not good at English."
The playing style might not have changed much, but the real challenge is the fundamental language — communication on the court, which requires speed and clarity, has become a hurdle Toon has to overcome with his colored bullets.
Absorbing experience from senior pro players.
Now you have to deal with semi-pro and pro players in the national team — do you think the experience from an international team has helped you adapt faster?
"I've adapted faster because I've gained good experience from many pro players. I hope I've learned a lot from them."
Instead of seeing himself as a nervous newcomer, Toon chooses to see this situation as an opportunity — an opportunity to learn from players who have more experience on the field. And he uses those things to develop himself.
Goal: Champion and bigger scene.
What is your next goal with the Thai national team, and what direction do you want to see Thai paintball take?
"I want to win the championship. I think many Thais are very talented, and I want to see more young players in Thai paintball. I want to see more competitions and more participants."
Toon concluded the conversation with a clear goal — a championship representing the national team — and a message to the industry: he wants to see more young people enter the scene and more frequent competitions to expand the Thai paintball scene.
From the concert stage to the national paintball team in just one year, Toon's journey may inspire many others who are looking for a starting point in this sport — and it shows that success in this field isn't measured by how long you've been playing, but by how much dedication you put into it.
