Futera United (Thailand)

Futera United FC is a semi-professional football club based in the Thai capital of Bangkok which was formed in 2019. It is a club with a fascinating story and concept, which goes back to its previous incarnation.

Back in 2012 Futera Seeker FC was born. Within a year they had become members of Thai League in the third tier Central-West playing their home games at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Stadium. 

Futera is a company that is a leading name in trading cards. They are synonymous with those who collect and trade them, with many football clubs around the world being connected with them. They teamed together with Seeker FC to form the club.

It was a football club with a difference to say the least. Members, or holders could obtain shares in the club and then be involved making decisions which included team tactics, selection, and even substitutions, as described in the away game on this page.

The expansion club finished fourth in their debut 2013 season. However, the Futera arm of the operation left the club that became Seeker FC who initially moved to National Housing Authority Stadium in Bangkapi.

Seeker went on to become Pathumthani University FC, gradually morphing and being known as PTU Pathum Thani Seeker, and PTU Pathumthani along the way. That club continues playing in Thai League 3 West as of the 2024-25 season. 

Meanwhile, after a few years out of football, Futera owner Mark Watson formed Futera United FC. It had similar concepts to the old club, only without holders being able to make tactical decisions during a game.

United became members of the Bangkok Premier League playing in its lower divisions while joining ranks with PSW Academy. The side played in the FA Cup in 2022-23 and went out 2-0 away to Sisaket United with coach Pisal Rumrai in charge of the team. The club was placed in Division Two of the BPL for 2023-24 where they ended in second place.

Futera became one of the clubs that passed the requirements to enter the Thailand Semi-Pro League for 2023-24. The club managed to secure Stadium of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) for their home matches with Pissanu Suwannaprom in charge of the team.

United continued to lead the way where others in Thailand often flounder with superb live match coverage on YouTube as well as superb merchandise which is sold globally. It is a club with huge potential which continues to attract new holders and have lively online discussion.

My visit

Futera United 1 Dome 4 (Saturday 16^th March 2024) Thailand Semi-Pro League Bangkok (att: 134) 

I was keen to tick off a Futera game and catch up with Mark Watson ten years after I had met him and been given a lowdown on Futera Seeker at an away game when they were members of the Thai League.

I was down in Bangkok sorting out some administration and staying with my wife Taew at our Minburi condo, so this fixture worked out perfectly. I headed to the game by songthaew and then walked the fifteen minutes or so from Lat Krabang Road to the KMITL Stadium.

Admission as usual was free to a match in the competition. I had stocked up with snacks and drinks on the way as catering is generally missing at the ground. Each attendee was given a free packet of trading cards which contained three Futera players, a nice touch.

A match that went pretty much as expected, with Dome favourites to reclaim their Thai League place after a few years absence. They proved to be the better marshalled and fitter of the two sides, yet the hosts also offered great value until their legs gave way after leading at the interval. 

While holders, as Futera’s members are called still have a say in the running of the club, they no longer do so during matches. They have a worldwide following and sell merchandise in great numbers.

They also have an academy across the city. While some shake their heads in disbelief, in a similar way to when Hashtag United joined the English non-league ranks, it is proof that the beautiful game is for more than middle aged blokes. 

In this encounter, in which I sat again with Mark Watson, and his mate Sean, while it was also great to meet groundhopper and Bangkok United fan Svein for the first time, who is of great assistance with information on all things Thai football.

United took the ascendancy after a quiet opening ten minutes. They had players of great individual skill, one moved to centre back from upfront, on the suggestion of those who studied performances. Itthiphon Yotphrom had a fine game.

They went ahead after Dome goalie Atituch Chankar made a fine save to thwart an excellent move. The resulting corner was headed home by Nattawut Jandit after sixteen minutes. The following half hour is as stretched and exciting as I have seen so early in a match with Dome missing a sitter.

Futera had what I thought was a stone wall penalty turned down by the otherwise impressive referee Pichit Thongjanmoon who was keen to employ advantage as often as possible and let the game flow. Then the visitors hit the bar and gradually wrestled control. The Futera contingent were happy to hear the whistle for the interval. 

Dome levelled up a minute after the break. Home keeper Padchaya Panya had sustained a knock in the first half and was slow off his line, bringing down a forward. The ball ran loose with Mr Pichit letting play go on for Peerapat Kantha scored into an empty net.

Itthiphon had to be replaced after a wonderful old school crunching tackle damaged his knee. The respect his opponents and supporters showed him as he hobbled off said everything about his performance. 

A fine away side move was thwarted just past the hour mark. However, the corner saw a good save from Padchaya but Teeraporn Atawongsa was on hand to smash home. Futera were reduced to counter attacking and came close on one occasion. However, it was becoming one way traffic.

Dome hit the bar for a second time, and one felt the hosts best hope was to stay in the game as long as possible and somehow get a late equaliser. It was not to be. Peerapat Chunhacha and Karintron Phakum added late goals as the energy levels sapped out of the Futera players.

 

My Roving Report Video for A Thai Football Podcast

Dome who are the team of Thammasat University thoroughly deserved their win and played the game in the right way. They would take some stopping going by this performance. Both teams got a fine reception from the enthusiastic crowd who gave the home side fantastic support.

After the match I managed to requisition a Bolt taxi to take me to an Isan restaurant where an interesting evening ensued with my good lady and Thai friends.

 

 

VRN Muangmont Academy (Thailand)

VRN Muangnont is a professional football club in Thailand representing the district on Nonthaburi, which is in the north west of the capital of Bangkok. Full details of the club can be found on their dedicated page via this link.

While known as STK Muangnont, their academy opened which has two full sized pitches, along with a couple an artificial surface, changing rooms, accommodation and social facilities. Five Regions Stadium is an impressive venue.

My visit

Bangkapi FC 4 Minburi United 1 (Saturday 7th May 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Group B (att: c70)

The 2022 Thailand Amateur League group stages some games played on consecutive weekends. This game, paired with the earlier encounter between Bangkok Football Academy and Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy FC were scheduled for Thonburi Stadium.

Thankfully, I checked social media on Saturday morning before setting out. I can only presume the original venue was waterlogged in the horrible deluge I got caught in at the Muang Thong United Training Ground Stadium on Friday afternoon.

I’d dipped out of heading to Five Regions Stadium earlier in the tournament. It looked difficult by public transport. That was until I had discovered I could catch a minivan from near home direct to Pak Kret over the other side of the Chao Phraya River.

Another huge storm dropped on us as the van progressed along Ram Inthra. I was tempted to bail out and head home, but the forecast showed signs of improvement and the game was enticing as it would see Minburi United progress with a draw. Bangkapi needed a win.

I walked over Rama IV Bridge and continued to what turned out to be a busy industrial road. Fortunately, a taxi driver was sat on his break at the roadside and made himself available. Google Maps did the trick directing us up narrow lanes.

My driver risked his suspension on the bumpy approach to the ground before depositing me. The venue had two pitches, the second one of which was severely waterlogged. I headed for the covered spectator accommodation, which was not unlike the structure at Airport Stadium in Sam Wa.

A long low cover had a balcony with cover above it in the centre section. There were decent facilities with food and drink available. Over the other side were three small sided artificial pitches with the STK Muangmont Academy buildings at the other side.

A man who along with his wife sported a Port FC training top chatted to me in good English. They lived in Samut Prakan, while his son Suwijak Tipsana was playing for Minburi United. Other members of the family joined them, and they all seemed very pleasant.

My video showing the harshness of the conditions

I hadn’t even heard of United, despite living in Minburi until the start of the competition as they didn’t appear to play in any league that I was aware of. This put me in a spot. Two local teams. Who to go for? The family won me over, but it wouldn’t end my world either way.

The game kicked off, with it soon apparent that the pitch was verging on unplayable as you can see from this video. Fair dos to both clubs, the officials and groundstaff for wanting to get it on.

It was a decent standard in comparison to other games I’d attended at the same stage. United looked the better of the two sides. The game would change in dramatic circumstances seven minutes before the interval.

Bangkapi left back Kiadtisuk Seenunejan took what looked like a harmless free kick just inside his own half by the touchline. He launched the ball forward. Despite it being boggy in parts, it was firm in others. The ball skipped viciously and proved too strong for keeper Udomchok Sitthimanee.

Seenunejan opens the scoring as Bangkapi's photographer Pon..Boomdaddy catches me on camera

I was caught on camera behind the happy scorer by the excellent Bangkapi photographer. The goal seemed to galvanise the leading team. A half volley was also shot just wide before the interval.

I’d nibbled on some deep fried fritters which I coated with a bit too much chili sauce. I’m not sure what was in them, but they did the job, before I returned upstairs for the start of the second period. The Muangmont academy players provided entertainment over the back. I have to say they were being trained very well.

The first action of the second half saw a low skidding shot from Bangkapi’s sub Thanakorn Pheuansopa was turned round the post by Sitthimanee. A couple of efforts also went close as the team adopted a shoot on sight policy in the difficult conditions.

Bangkapi were also adept in game management. Their skipper Pramual Sriboon was constantly in the ear of referee Boonsong Prachumrak, who ideally could have been stronger, especially as the game progressed.

Bangkapi thought they’d doubled their lead when a parry was followed up and put away, but the linesman had his flag up for offside. Sitthimanee then pulled off a good save to deny half time sub Phutaress Chantasom as the female fans screamed for their favourites.

It was then the turn of Prachaya Somboondee of Bangkapi to be denied by another save. United seemed to take heart from their keeper and began to launch some attacks of their own before they drew level.

Ra-Chan Pomfhang went on a fine run down the right wing on sixty-four minutes before crossing to the far post by Tipsana who volleyed home past keeper Ruangyot Noppakaow, much to the delight of his family.

For a few minutes I thought that the Minburi side could go on and win. The Bangkapi goal had a close escape before they elder more experienced side regathered their poise going on to retake the lead midway through the half.

Sarayut Trongdee wriggled to the byline. He delivered a hard cross which Seenunejan forced over the line with his body at the back post. It was a classic game. Poor conditions with real jeopardy depending on the result. It remained that way with just two minutes of normal time remaining.

Bangkapi’s players had a habit of falling over to get the physio on. Finally, the ref instructed players to leave the pitch on a stretcher to get on with things. Minburi were chasing the game and their desperation led to the decisive moment.

The ball was lost in midfield, Arthit Permsomboon scooped it forward to put Jettipat Wongyee through on goal, where he made no mistake in making the score 3-1. I headed round to enjoy the last few minutes on the banking behind the goal.

The scoring was rounded off in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Chantasom volleyed home at the far post despite the best efforts of Sitthimanee who apart from the first goal had a fine afternoon between the sticks.

The match was a great advert for local amateur football. I would think that all the players and officials would have been thoroughly worn out on Saturday night. I ordered a Bolt taxi as a kind local shopkeeper gave me a seat to wait on.

I was dropped off in Pak Kred and headed back home by van ready for a clean up and some refreshments and music in my favourite bar.

Sisaket City (Thailand)

Sisaket City FC is a semi-professional football club from the city of the same name in Thailand’s Isan region. The origins of the club can be traced back to 2020 when it was set up with an academy to the south of the city. 

In October 2021, manager Pakorn Samipak signed an agreement with Sisaket Rajabhat University to promote and develop youth players with the aim that they could become professional players.

In 2022 the club entered the Thailand Amateur League, finishing in second place in Northeast Southern Zone Group F, behind Rasisalai United, who would eventually be promoted to Thai League 3 under coach Jeerawat Thonglue 

The club was admitted entrance to the Thai FA Cup in the 2022-23 season, going out in the first round, 4-1 to Chaingmai FC in a match that was played at Sisaket SAT Stadium. Later that season, City entered the Northeast region of the Thailand Semi-Pro League. 

Thonglue led the side to a third-place finish with home games being played at the Rajabhat University Stadium. Tatchanon Chindapuk took charge of the team for their Semi-Pro league campaign of 2023-24.

Sisaket City FC will play in the Thailand Semi-Pro League in the 2023-24 season.

My visit

Sisaket City 4 Vongchavalitkul University 0 (Sunday 3^rd March 2024) Thailand Semi-Pro League Northeast (att: 300)

With the Thai League 3 regular season completed seven days ago, with a rest week before the playoffs begin, it was time to check to a new ground for me and my mate John and to see what the odds were on Sisaket getting a third locally based professional club in the national set up.

The semi-pro league in its second full season is more or less a fourth division of old, with clubs entering it needing to hold a required license. The winners of the six regional divisions are promoted to T3. 

We came away extremely impressed with the home side after they put game opponents to the sword in the searing heat at Rajabhat University Stadium. It was a very competent performance with plenty of pace, clever moves, and resolute defence. If they weren’t to win promotion, then the winners of the mini league will be some team.

There was a delay for a clash of heads in the early stages. City skipper Naraphong Chaudpong perhaps foolishly continued but was withdrawn a little time later, with an ambulance taking him away. 

By then his team had taken the lead with a smart finish from Baphit Chooklin who proved to be the outstanding act all afternoon. The forward had previously been released by both T3 sides in town, but his strength, skill, touch, and hold up play were top notch.

The medics were again busy shortly after, as visiting keeper Phumin Prokkaew was helped off with what looked like a damaged ankle. This was one of several lengthy delays as the game struggled to get going properly. 

A fine break just past the half hour mark saw Nontavat Bamrungtham put in Teerawat Anuyan who dinked delightfully over diving sub goalie Watchara Nasompak. One suspects that the stopper should concentrate on his studies rather than a career in the game on this showing.

As it was a sweltering hot afternoon, it was a blow not having any refreshments available, something to consider in future. The players took breaks for drinks and with the injuries it meant a late finish. 

Not that it seemed to bother the enthusiastic crowd who enjoyed free admission at the impressive arena. We are blessed with having three very good football venues in Sisaket, with a fourth smaller ground hosting the women’s team.

Five minutes after the interval Apisit Chanangam sealed the victory with a free kick from wide on the left that everyone stood and watched it float in off the back post, including young Watchara. Vongchavalitkul, from Nakhon Ratchasima, getting on for five hours away, were game until the end, with sometimes their frustration getting the better of them.

Atsarapong Lertkrathok picked up two yellows and went for an early shower. The first of which was a borderline assault. Thanaphon Srinak playing up front for the away side in a rather fethching shade the same as a Cadbury chocolate wrapper was the pick of the visitors.

The excellent Bhapit had the last say in the final minute of additional time with a fine low shot from outside the box. That was just after John had commented that the keeper seemed to be alright as long as he didn’t have to deal with crosses. 

It was a decent game of football, again in the excellent company of my mate John, who had his wife and daughter with him. The ladies commented that they enjoyed it because there were no foreign players.

We had met at the reliable and enjoyable Hong Kong Garden for food and beverages with mine host Peter and a friendly Aussie customer adding to the chat. Post match I was kindly deposited at Leo’s, a bistro bar with an amazing collection of Belgian bottled beers, wines, and several European taps as well as local favourites.

My Roving Report on the day for

A Thai Football Pocast

My couple of pints of Guinness went down very well before my Grab cab arrived to take my home to watch the conclusion of the excellent Buriram United v Bangkok United game with fine food and a nightcap beer. Another wonderful afternoon.

Surin Khong Chee Mool (Thailand)

 

Surin Khong Chee Mool FC is a professional football club from the city of Surin which is in the northeast Thai region of Isan. They were formed in 2017 to compete in the Thailand Amateur League, playing home games at the stadium of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus.

After winning their group, KCM progressed to the final round, where a 5-4 victory over Nonghan saw the club promoted to T4 Northeast for the 2018 season, renaming themselves Surin Sugar Khong Chee Mool. 

Eighth place in their inaugural season as a professional club saw the team finish eighth, which was backed up with sixth place in 2019 as Japanese striker Miyake Kyohei put away the goals, prior to the Thai leagues being restructured and turning to a European calendar.

Having dropped Sugar from their title, ‘The Cruel Wild Elephants’ finished the 2020-21 campaign in seventh spot with Apiwat Chuenban as top scorer under head coach Nirut Ruangsrichart, as the season was abruptly ended owing to Covid-19.

Thapakorn Deemark took over team affairs at the start of 2021-22, prior to Kamolchai Yingmeeyou taking over. Deemark had another spell at the helm before the appointment of Surasin Rinyotha. He was replaced by Jobsakon Siyacheep in a chaotic season which saw KCM end in twelfth place as Sarawut Wanpriangthaw led the scoring chart.

The same position followed in 2022-23. Coach Ruangsrichart returned to the bench while the goals of Kroekrit Rodmueang helped stave off relegation. Another struggle was played out in the 2023-24 season, with Apisit Im-Amphai taking charge of the team.

Surin Khong Chee Mool FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2023-24 season.

My visit

Sri Narong Stadium

Surin Khong Chee Mool 0 Sisaket United 4 (Sunday 21^st January 2024) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: c250) 

A road trip to an away game is always enjoyable, The chance to head away overnight with my wife Taew is always looked forward to, especially if meeting up with friends such as Gary and Noon as in this occasion.

The couple had come through to Sisaket for the fixture between the two sides earlier in the season which ended in a 6-0 home win. KCM were shocking on that occasion, although I had earlier enjoyed their spirit and attitude in their defeat away to Rasisalai United. 

However, this latest encounter is a game that wouldn’t live long in the memory, played on a bumpy pitch, between an awful home team and visitors who somehow made hard work of them until tiredness led to some shocking errors.

Yet it took Sisaket until the very last minute of the first half before they took the lead. Their pedestrian approach unbelievably negative. I had warned Gary beforehand, and he was astonished having seen KCM several times and knowing just how bad they are. 

In keeping with much of the dross, a misdirected free kick was fumbled by hapless keeper Chaturong Singjanusong. New signing, Cameroon forward Isaac Mbengan tapped home into the empty net. KCM had earlier unbelievably come close to leading.

A glancing header came back off the foot of the post, and then goalie Adisak Lambelsah nearly fumbled a long range free kick into his own net. The usually excellent Matias Panigazzi showed why he is only playing T3 football as he had a great chance for the visitors, but he didn’t get a shot away because he can’t kick with his right foot. 

Mbengan headed straight at the keeper from five yards, when anywhere else would have ended in a goal. After I’d nipped out and brought back some beers from the shop across the road, the game seemed to improve in the second half.

Home defender Nanthachai Laokaew doing a very passable impression of Hightower from Police Academy clumsily mishit a back pass allowing Danilo in to increase the lead. Sadly, they took the stopper off shortly after. 

I was a great fan of his comedic performance as it reminded me of the Elephant Show I’d visited with my family on the adjacent showground a couple of months previously. The Brazilian added his second to make it 3-0 on seventy-seven minutes.

This was before that thing of rarity, a fine passing move, set up sub Phattharapong Phengchaem to lob the keeper, who was going goodness knows where, eight minutes from time. Somehow KCM were kept out in a rare foray before a couple of Sisaket players contrived to cock things us when clean through. 

The official crowd was announced as 86, which drew some laughter, with the match being played at Sri Narong Stadium, traditionally the home of Surin City. The usual KCM university campus stadium being out of commission for a priority event. That’s how it is here in Thailand, with football quite low down the pecking order.

My good lady drove us the two hours to meet up with friends, and we headed to a wonderfully designed restaurant over a manmade lake for lunch out in the countryside. Sadly, the service was poor, but it could have been a one off. 

Post match, Subtle Hub had some home brewed beer on tap, with the Mango Cider and then a double hopped strong IPA making me merry. We laughed at some friendly inebriated young locals. How little did I know.

Into town, with Surin having plenty of options for Thais and westerners. We selected Fat Boyd because we knew that they would be showing Thailand v Oman in the AFC Asia Cup. Live music, food, and a drinks promotion were all welcome. 

That match ended 0-0, virtually guaranteeing Thailand progress to knockout stages which was beyond pre-tournament expectation. Again, the interest in football sometimes not being comprehended by non-Thais as we were about the only ones watching one of the eight screens.

Back to Subtle Hub when an intended nightcap turned into a lock in as the boss and his mate wanted to watch the Liverpool game, and consequently Monday became a write off. I’m glad our hotel was just across the road.

Ubon Kruanapat (Thailand)

Ubon Kruanapat FC is a professional football club that represents the city of Ubon Ratchathani in the Isan region of Thailand. The club was formed in 2009 prior to becoming an expansion club in Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region in 2010 as Ubon Tiger FC.

This was the third tier of Thai football at the time, with the team playing their home games at Ubon Rachathani Sports School Stadium. Surasak Thongkae top scored as the side ended near the bottom of the table, prior to moving into Ubon Ratchathani University Stadium south of the city for the 2011 campaign.

 

It saw an even lower finish despite the goals of Christian Fokou, with the 2012 campaign seeing the club return to their former home ground and changing title to Ubon Rachathani FC. Not that it did much good as the Tigers finished bottom of the table.

A change of name this time to bon UMT followed. This should not be confused with the club of the similar name that later played in the top flight of Thai football. However, the influence of the UMT university saw the team finish third thanks to the goals of David Srangnanaok.

 

The league title followed in 2014, which saw qualification for the Champions League playoffs. Elvis Job had put away the goals, but Ubon failed to go up from the group stages. Obviously impressed with the potential on offer UMT set up their own side in 2015 to enter the competition.

This meant a change of name to Ubon Rachathani FC for the side formed in 2009. They played second fiddle to their money laden neighbours and finished in seventh spot with Kim Ji Hun banging in the goals. Bouba Abbo became the next goalscoring hero for the fans, as he and his side ended as runners-up in 2016. 

Again, the play-offs were a step too far, prior to league re-organisation which saw the introduction of four tiers in 2017. Ubon Ratchathani returned to the University Stadium for a solitary season as they finished second from bottom in Thai League 3 Upper Region.

A much improved second place ensued in 2018, when back in the city, as Ahmed Abdalazen and Abbo shared the goals. Nattapon Tabtanon led the scoring tally in 2019 which ended in a seventh place finish before further reconstruction of the Thai League took place. 

The competition reverted to a European calendar in 2020-21 by which time the club had been renamed Ubon Kruanapat after ownership of the club was completed by the local food production company, Kruanapat.

Jirayoo Suwandee was appointed as head coach as Ubon finished fourth in Thai League 3 Northeast. Tana Chanabut and then Danuson Chaiyawan led the side from the touchline. Saran Srideth was at the helm for the start of the 2021-22 campaign. 

It saw the Tigers repeat fourth place, as Oscar Plape led the scoring charts, as he did once again in 2022-23 under head coach Kittiyuth Puttakru. This time the side finished fifth. The 2023-24 saw the club change home venue to the Ubon Rathchathani Rajabhat University (RBRU) Stadium.

Chaleamkwan Rienthong was appointed as head coach as the side was sent three Thai under 20 year old stars on loan from Buriram United for the second leg of the season.

My visit

Ubon Kruanapat 0 Sisaket United 0 (Sunday 14^th January 2023) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: 522)

Despite the scoreline this was a very watchable 0-0 in a local derby with the clubs only being an hour apart. League leader Sisaket increased the pace that they played at with Brazlian striker Danilo a man transformed from previous showings.

In a tight first period which fluctuated in terms of ascendancy, the visitors came closest to scoring when a free kick from Heman Kittiamphaipruek cannoned back off the angle of post and bar with keeper Klanarong Wissutiyanpirom motionless. 

After the break the usually ultra reliable Matias Pannigazzi missed a sitter from close range when getting on the end of a delicious free kick delivery, and the away side spurned another couple of chances on the break.

All the while Ubon played their part going forward and putting in a string of good centres without getting a shot on target in anger throughout. Defender Mounzir Coulidiati was impressive as he was in the game that ended 0-0 in the reverse fixture. 

The game became stretched in the closing stages after decent home midfielder Jakree Burapha was shown a second yellow card, when it looked like he’d fallen and done a good job of using his chest while on the floor to block a through ball, but the ref was having none of it.

Sisaket failed to capitalise, in what was a frustrating ending. Second placed Mahasarakham closed the gap at the top to two points, with them having a game in hand. The two sides were scheduled to meet in the final game of the season in Sisaket.

A great day out, being dropped halfway in Kanthararom by my wife to meet my mate John who drive us to Ubon Ratchathani. A late lunch was enjoyed at the excellent American owned Peppers, where I generally take friends if are using the nearby airport. It provided a good menu and fridge with a warm welcome from the boss, was nice.

Ubon has five stadiums, all worthy of staging league football. We visited UMT Stadium for a look, now home of Ubon Poly United who are trying to win promotion from the semi-pro league, where the team was training. 

UBRU Happiness Stadium is one of several Rajabhat Universities around Thailand and is a pleasant place to watch football. It used to have a shale track but is now grassed over with raised covered stands down either side. It was upgraded for sporting games between the staff of all of Thailand’s university to compete in, like a mini-Olympics and they have done a great job with it. Leg room and viewing was excellent.

The away fans were congregated on the open curve behind the goal. We went in the main stand, with my Sisaket shirt giving our game away. We weren’t the only ones in there! Not that there was any issue. The locals could not have been friendlier, with the crowd including a high ratio of aesthetic onlookers. 

Video compiled for airing on A Thai Football Podcast

To round off a near perfect day, my good lady was waiting at my pickup point with a can of Thai brewed German style dunkel which was most appreciated. Some top snooker and the Everton v Aston Villa game on TV over grub and more drinks most entertaining before bedtime.