Nevertheless, he will be back in the Thai capital next January in charge of the Olyroos for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championships - the draw for which took place on Thursday.
Twelve years ago the Socceroos went into a group containing Thailand, Iraq and Oman promising to win the whole thing.
That didn’t happen and just getting out of the group was up in the air until the final stages of the final game against Thailand.
In the end, Australia didn't make it past the past eight.
Group A of the U-23 Championships has a similar look. Thailand and Iraq will be there once again with Bahrain replacing Oman as the second West Asian threat.
This time however, it is not just about winning the trophy as finishing in the top three offers a significant prize - a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Australia’s draw could have been tougher, the group containing holders Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, Iran and China will not be one for the faint-hearted, but it will be far from easy.
The Olyroos will take on the hosts at the Rajamangala Stadium for the second game. I was there when the senior side escaped with a 2-2 draw in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.
It was a strange atmosphere given the recent death of the much-loved Thai king but in January, it should be all about good old-fashioned Southeast Asian passion.
This tournament is a big deal for Thailand. Fans there looked on in envy as Vietnam stormed to the final of the 2018 version.
Vietnam have also taken the Thai’s top spot in the region at the senior level but a good showing would help to get the new year off to a perfect start.
As well as home advantage, Thailand will be looking to stars of Southeast Asia’s leading club Buriram United to make a difference on the pitch.
Supachai Chaided and Supachok Sarachat both are fully-fledged senior internationals with plenty of experience and bright futures.
Then there is coach Akira Nishino. The Japanese tactician took over both the senior team and the U-23 side in July.
The man who led Gamba Osaka to the 2008 Asian Champions League title and Japan to the second round of the 2018 World Cup has quite a pedigree.
The 64 year-old has been busier with the senior national team since his arrival due to the start of qualification for the 2022 World Cup, but has been promised lots and lots of time with the U-23 team ahead of January.
Training camps and warm-up games should have the young War Elephants as one of the most cohesive and organised teams when it all kicks off.
Whatever Nishino wants he will get as qualification for the Tokyo Olympics would be a huge deal.
Iraq have appeared at two of the last four Olympic Games and famously reached the semi-final of the 2004 games in Athens.
Such a stage seems quite far away at the moment but there is talent in the ranks of the young Lions of Mesopotamia. Iraq is often hampered by chaotic preparations.
That is not completely the case this time. Coach Abdul-Ghani Shahad was given the job of Olympic qualification all the way back in 2017.
He has had tournaments and training camps such as the two-week long meet in August.
He has called for more however and also wants administrative issues affecting player registrations for the U-23 team to be sorted out.
Bahrain will be the outsider with Arnold hoping that there won’t be too much for his team to do in the final game.
Back in 2007, pride for the Aussies came before the fall in the last eight. This time, there will be no underestimating, but then again, nobody is demanding the trophy.
A top three finish for the Olyroos will be the cause for major celebration - a return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
Bangkok beckons once more for Arnold.
