The Story of "Jon" Khajornyos
"From the Unknown to the Unmissable"
In the world of Thai sports journalism, where news and stories unfold every day, some writers stand out for their distinctive style and unique storytelling ability. They craft compelling narratives that inspire fans and resonate deeply with audiences.
One such name is Jon Khajornyos Chokthanaset, the man behind the sports page simply known as "Jon".
Today, Off The Bench brings you the journey of Jon—how he found his path, built his voice, and became one of the most influential sports storytellers in Thailand.
The Beginning
Born in 1990, Jon's love for football began at the age of seven, during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, hosted by the United States, was broadcast in the morning in Thailand—just before school started.
Jon’s father would drop him off early, and before the school day officially began, the physical education teachers would gather the early-arriving students under a building where a TV was mounted on the wall.
Normally, this TV played cartoons or educational programs. But during the World Cup, the teachers—football fans themselves—couldn't resist switching the channel to live matches instead.
It was at that moment that young Jon realized the magic of football. From then on, the sport became an integral part of his life.
Jon, The Toon Army Devotee
It was during this same period that Jon found his team—Newcastle United.
Back then, Newcastle was rising fast, challenging for the Premier League title against the biggest clubs. But it was Alan Shearer who truly cemented Jon’s love for the club.
Jon had followed Shearer since his Blackburn Rovers days, where the striker won the Premier League title and became England’s top scorer at Euro 1996. When Shearer made his world-record transfer to Newcastle, Jon naturally followed him—becoming a die-hard Toon Army fan to this day.
Discovering His Passion Early
Despite excelling in math and science during high school—enough to be placed in the top academic class—Jon always knew his true passion lay elsewhere.
When it came time to apply for university, instead of pursuing engineering or finance, he chose to study Sociology and Anthropology at Thammasat University.
For Jon, the decision was simple—he wanted a career related to football, no matter what form it took. Fortunately, his family was supportive, allowing him to follow his passion.
A Career in Sports Media Begins
Jon's first job after graduating was at SMM, part of the Siam Sport Group, the most prominent sports media company in Thailand at the time.
His role was within FM 99 Sport Radio, coinciding with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. During this time, he lived in a small apartment near work and experienced the grueling, all-consuming nature of sports journalism for the first time.
As a fresh graduate, Jon had to do everything—long hours, low pay, and intense workload. But he never once complained, because he knew he had chosen this path.
Looking back, Jon sees those years as his most valuable training ground, learning every aspect of the industry—from writing and reporting to media production.
The "5" Missing Hours
During this demanding period, Jon was living at full speed—working, partying, and barely resting. Until one night, something happened that changed his perspective forever.
One evening, Jon went out for drinks with old university friends. Around 10 PM, he left the gathering early, knowing he had work the next morning.
That was the last thing he remembered.
When he regained consciousness, it was 2 AM, and he was lying on the side of the road, his clothes covered in footprints.
A friend, by sheer coincidence, found him and helped him get home. The next day, Jon woke up nearly at noon, completely unable to recall what had happened between 10 PM and 3 AM.
That five-hour blackout terrified him. It was a wake-up call. He realized he had pushed his body too far, living on adrenaline with little rest.
That was when Jon knew—he had to make a change. Shortly after, he resigned from his job.
A Leap of Faith
Jon thought finding a new job would be easy. After all, he had a degree from a prestigious university and solid experience in sports media.
But reality hit hard.
He sent applications to TV stations, radio networks, and sports agencies—and got rejected from all of them.
Then, in 2011, Thailand was struck by one of the worst flood disasters in its history. Companies froze hiring, and Jon found himself unemployed for months. With nothing else to do, he volunteered at a flood relief shelter at Thammasat University, watching the floodwaters submerge his own campus.
Eventually, an opportunity came—Hattrick Magazine, a free sports publication distributed across Bangkok, hired him as a writer.
Unlike his previous job, this role gave Jon freedom. He could choose his own topics, interview whoever he wanted, and write in his own style.
This was the moment Jon truly found his voice.
"Thailand’s Ultimate Sports Fan"
By sheer coincidence, Jon stumbled upon an open application for Thailand’s Ultimate Sports Fan, a popular TV competition at the time.
He entered for fun.
Surprisingly, he made it to the final five on live television.
While he didn’t win, his performance caught the attention of True Visions, which was expanding its Thai football coverage. They offered him a job, and Jon joined True—marking a new chapter in his career.
At True, Jon covered not just football but all sports, including the Asian Games, SEA Games, and Paralympics.
His experience covering disabled athletes left a deep impact on him. Their resilience and determination moved him, shaping his perspective on sports beyond just competition.
But as always, Jon eventually felt restless. He had learned everything he could in that role, and it was time for a new challenge.
Going Independent – The Birth of "Jon"
By 2017, Jon decided to go solo—leaving the corporate world to build his own brand.
At the time, many sports influencers were emerging, yet few used their real names. But Jon knew exactly what his page should be called—"Jon".
The name was personal, and more importantly, it was already his identity.
Though his real nickname was "Boat", no one had ever called him that. His family called him "Puyi" (after the last emperor of China), but his friends always called him Jon, derived from his real name Khajornyos.
Even his logo was personal—he designed it himself as a child. The lettering cleverly read "Jon" in both Thai and English. He never thought he’d use it professionally, but now, it was the perfect symbol of his work.
A Bold Step Forward
"If it works, it’s a bold move. If it fails, it’s a reckless gamble."
Jon took a leap of faith, working freelance while slowly building his page. Within one year, he gained over 100,000 followers.
He described his approach as "relentless", pouring everything into his work.
Even as the industry became more competitive and economic challenges arose, Jon refused to take shortcuts—he never accepted betting sponsorships or unethical deals.
For him, growing organically and with integrity mattered most.
Jon's Legacy in Thai Sports Media
Some call him a sports influencer, but Jon sees himself as something broader—a voice for all Thai sports.
From football to Paralympics, from superstars to underdogs, if it matters to Thai sports, Jon will cover it.
Because for him, every athlete, regardless of the spotlight, has a story worth telling.
Follow Jon's journey:
📍 Instagram: @kajohnjohnyos
📍 TikTok & YouTube: "Jon"
