Old Blood

 

Old Blood FC is an amateur football club, based in the Sam Wa district of northeast Bangkok, that was formed in 2020 as an academy. The club introduced an open-age side that entered the Thonburi League in 2026, being placed in Group D. 

They also entered the Semipro League for 2026, with hopes of being promoted to the Thai League 3, with home games being played at Ratchakram Stadium, where PTU Pathumthani plied their trade.

My visit

Old Blood 3 CNT Anubis 1 (Sunday 5th April 2026) Thonburi League Group D (att: c25)

My wife and I had flown back to the capital in a rather dishevelled condition, following a long drink with friends following the completion of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. I’d also been to Chiangmai United v Rasisalai United to round off a very long day.

Despite nursing a horrific hangover, I wasn’t going to refuse an opportunity to get out and about when back at Hat Hai Rat. My luck was in. Just one match was being played in the league all weekend, and it was at a ground I’d not previously visited. Even better, it was just a ten-minute cab ride away.

I’d arrived by taxi with soft drinks and snacks at Old Blood Stadium and academy, focused on its local community in NW Bangkok. They seemed to have got it right on this showing, with their senior team going top of their group in the amateur competition, playing good football against a decent away side.

The away keeper made a good stop from the Old Blood 20 in the opening exchanges before Phonput put his side ahead, tricking the goalie at his near post after ten minutes. The lead was doubled in the twenty-fifth minute when Prachya scored a superb goal, bending his effort into the top corner from distance. 

Anubis had older players on show. Their 21 was tall, skilful and rangy. The keeper was a bit too smart for his own good with his feet, leading to some frantic defending on a hot afternoon, with an occasional pleasant breeze, as planes descended into Suvarnabhumi in the distance.

After an hour, Anubis pulled a goal back, before the hosts extended their lead again when Jack’s saved shot was followed up by Phonput. The away side continued to press but found themselves exposed at the back. The sublime skills of Harry set up Peath, who was denied by some brave goalkeeping.

The excitable Harry, who picked up a yellow card for a daft challenge, continued to torment his opponents, while what seemed like an endless supply of volunteers ran around carrying out tasks, at the properly organised club, which went top of their group with the win.

It was a wonderful experience as a visitor. Small covered seating areas to watch from, a warm welcome, a pitch-side open-fronted restaurant and bar, a TV showing the previous night’s FA Cup, plus it has changing rooms at a venue close to the people it serves. I would most certainly return. 

At full time, I went for a short walk back along Thanon Thai Raman from the ground back to Hat Hai Rat before catching a taxi back towards home. I alighted at the 7/11 at the end of our village to buy khao moo daeng for tea from an excellent outdoor stall. Unbelievably, two Old Blood players were already sitting down and getting stuck into their meal!

My brief report from the match and my reflection on the experience that fans will encounter can be heard on the episode of A Thai Football Podcast.

Bangkok AFC

Bangkok AFC is an amateur league team that originated from the Bangkok Football Academy (BFA), which is currently a member of the Thonburi League. In the 2026 season, they used the MRTA Football Field on Rama IX. 

The side reached the quarter finals of the Thonburi Champions League in 2024, where their hopes of honours ended against Thonburi University, before being defeated by Kratoomrai Academy in 2025 after a fine campaign in Zone C.

My visit

Bangkok AFC 3 Minburi City 1 (Sunday 22nd March 2026) Thonburi League Group C (att: c25)

My delve into the Thonburi League on a latest visit to Bangkok saw me enjoy a very pleasant couple of hours watching an amateur game near the city centre, where Minburi City, a team I used to go and see, were in action. A good game too in the searing heat with goalmouth action and plenty of skill.

The Thonburi League is a competition, nominally at level 5 in Thailand, along with a couple of other self-run regional leagues. Some teams use the competition to prepare for the regional Semi-pro League, from which the winners are promoted into the regional Thai League 3. Thai Leagues 1 and 2 are national.

It is a well-run competition, with plenty of teams on each of its five equal sections, divided according to location. Admission is free at games, and all the venues are of reasonable quality, with every game having a minimum of three officials. 

Rolling subs are permitted until the final ten minutes of the game, which protects against the heat and ensures everyone gets a decent game. Something for the English FA to ponder so that players don't continually move from club to club in the quest for a regular run. It certainly gave me plenty to report on for my updates to A Thai Football Podcast.

This match started with Minburi looking far better than I remembered previously, with an African coach at the helm. However, fielding three 15-year-olds from their academy owing to absence would prove to be their undoing.

The first of which, a goalie was completely out of his depth, something the BAFC players quickly sussed after what looked like a harmless shot from outside the box from the number 9 found the next. 

Chaos ensued when the second goal crossed the line despite the best attempts of a defender and the woodwork to keep it out after another goalkeeping fumble. I had a good view of proceedings from one of the raised open bleachers, after being invited to sit there by Bee, the Minburi City club manager. 

When the club was formed, I’d bought a team shirt. When I attended a game in the old Amateur League, the club presented me with a cap and all kinds of souvenirs. Therefore, on this occasion, it was lovely to be remembered and welcomed by Bee, who was surprised by my appearance. 

He was filming the game, which featured a team predominantly made up of Africans, and asked me why I wasn’t wearing my shirt. I explained I was now living in Sisaket but was staying at our Minburi condo, when the fixture caught my attention and fitted perfectly into my plans. 

Back on the pitch, the amiable, larger-than-life coach, who looked to me for support and some kind of suggestion in exasperation at his team’s failings, had replaced the goalie. The new one was more experienced, but not great. I empathised greatly with my new friend!

After the drinks break, it was 3-0 when a Bangkok player went clean through. They should have added to their tally, but too many players started showing off their range of tricks rather than getting the job done, as can often occur if a team senses they have an easy win on their hands.

After the break, a mixture of luck, desperate defending, unorthodox goalkeeping, and some clever forward play saw Minburi perform much better. They got a goal back and then saw the BAFC make a couple of good saves, while another shot thundered back off the bar. 

A player arrived with fifteen minutes to go, got changed and went on. If he had been there earlier, it could have made a big difference. Overall, I really enjoyed myself in excellent company, as well as ticking off a new ground for me in the MRTA Fitness Park, with it being given the title of the Stadium of Spirit. 

It was nicely set out with a huge lake behind one goal and the backdrop of the city at the other end. Post-match, I headed off to my second game of the day, which turned out to be an amazing occasion as Police Tero took on Sisaket United, while I was among the incredible away support.

My YouTube video captures my experience from the game

Rasisalai United: An Unbelievable Underdog Story

 

Rasisalai United: An Unbelievable Underdog Story

My tribute as a regular attendee to Rasisalai United, a club that has achieved great things in a relatively short time.

When Nuchanart (Nuch) Jaruwongsatian set about forming Rasisalai United as a youth side back in 2019, I don’t suppose she thought that, realistically, seven years later, her little club would be playing in the top tier of Thai football against the likes of Buriram United, BG Pathum United and Port FC.

But that’s the reality. It’s an amazing story which shows that staying loyal to local players with a real affinity to the club and their teammates, and then astute foreign signings can make a world of difference and elevate any side coached and run in the right way, the chance to reach the summit.

It’s even more astonishing a story when considering that for their first two years, football was severely disrupted by the pandemic. However, the Thailand Amateur League, which was shoehorned into the middle months of 2022, offered a sense of what success felt like to the Monkey Kings, as Rasi are nicknamed.

A 3-0 win against Roi-Et 2018 on their opponents' home pitch sent Rasisalai into the Thai League 3 for the following season. Not content with that, they then defeated Kongkrilas United, Warship United, and Muang Trang United in the final to become national amateur champions.

Sisaket SAT Stadium under the lights

Their home leg in the showpiece was played at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium, home of province neighbours, Sisaket United, before the club became tenants at the SAT Stadium, once among the provincial ranks.

I have used the word, neighbours advisedly, as Sisaket is somewhat of a throwback to how football used to be in many English cities where two clubs existed. Rasi do not have a sufficient venue in their hometown, around 40-minutes away on the banks of the River Mun, meaning that they play in the capital of the province, with football fans going to watch whoever is at home.

While segregation is in place at the derby games, there is little need for it as everyone gets on, with many cheering for the side on the other side of the fence the following week.

In their debut season in the league, Rasi finished third and dashed the title hopes of Sisaket with a 1-0 home win. Sisaket went on to win T3 Northeast in 2023-24, along with promotion, while Rasi ended in a disappointing eighth place. Just 69 fans attended their home match on a Wednesday afternoon against Muang Loei United, with many of those attending leaving at the interval to watch Sisaket take on Khon Kaen Mordingdang in the later kick-off.

Action under the Tower. It sure beats Blackpool

Nuch made a superb appointment ahead of the 2024-25 campaign when coach Arnon Bandasak was brought in. He signed his former star from his time at Phitsanulok, the veteran forward, Gilberto Macena. Defender Ramon Mesquita, another player with vast experience, was signed to skipper the side, while fellow Brazilian Alberto Gouvea smashed away the goals.

We met Alberto as a fellow spectator at the opening Sisaket match of the season, and he pronounced he would score lots of goals. He wasn’t joking. Rasisalai simply blew away opponent after opponent with their fast-attacking play. Some of their matches were truly brilliant, including an amazing win against Pattani in the playoffs, which went a long way to securing promotion before the T3 national title was secured against Songkhla.

The atmosphere at the two derby games and the crowds of over 4,000 were simply breathtaking, with a real party atmosphere and superb action on the pitch. There is little wonder that interest continued to develop throughout the season as to what was going on in the northeast.

The team bus

One of the great joys of watching Rasisalai is their vulnerability at the back, which means they attack even more. The incredible 2025-26 season has seen them promoted with four games to spare. Teams simply have no answer despite often scoring and being on top for parts of a game. The only times that Rasi have looked vulnerable have been in the derby against Sisaket, with Ramon missing in the away defeat, and when injuries have depleted important areas.

The real key behind their success, alongside the astute foreign signings and veteran goalkeeper Sakkongpop Sukprasert, is the midfield twins of Nattapon and Natchanon Yongsakool. Indeed, when studying the teamsheet from the Amateur final of 2022, it is interesting to note that six of the side are still regulars, having gone through the divisions and learned together as friends. 

Bids were turned down for the twins, who have both missed games through injury when the only slight wobble occurred. They are dynamic, skilful, dangerous from set pieces and a joy to watch from a very special vantage position.

My friend John, who I watch Sisaket and Rasi, is a member of the gym where the Rasisalai players train. He's got to know them and coach Arnon, as well as the partners of some of the team and their offspring. In T3, we would simply choose the best seat in the main stand, which happened to be in the VIP area, with no questions asked, because stewarding wasn't required. We've continued to sit there around the dignitaries and those connected with the club, including Arnon when he served a touchline ban.

We sit somewhere in there

While I'm no fan of corporate seating as I prefer to be candid, have a good drink, and enjoy a match without watching my P's and Q's, it has been fun watching a season play out among those who have a far greater interest. Sure, I am delighted that Rasi have gone up, but I would have preferred Sisaket pip them to the title. Whether Sisaket will join Rasisalai in the top-flight next season hangs in the balance as I pen this piece.

Huge credit too must go to Nuch. It’s fair to say that she can become emotional at times and will serve a ban until the end of the season for her antics against Pattaya United. But she has created a club with a lovely atmosphere that appeals to more youngsters than traditionalists. And she certainly cares. She is friendly to everyone who attends and will be sure to get plenty of attention next season.

The club sells lots of merchandise. The adoption of green and white hoops as an away kit has seen unprecedented sales. Ticket prices have remained at 60 Baht since winning promotion to T3, which has seen crowds grow with the entertainment on show offering outstanding value for money.

How will Rasi cope in T1? It’s difficult to assess, as one potential pointer is unavailable, as the club didn’t enter either domestic cup this season. As the quarter finals of the League Cup have shown, there is a massive gulf between T2 and the top-flight, with three sides around the playoffs being well beaten by higher-grade opposition.

Will there be enough money to sign the seven foreigners allowed in T1, and who will be doing the recruiting? Again, these are unknowns that we’ll have to wait to find out. What is for sure is that the meteoric rise of Rasisalai has been wonderful to watch, and there’ll be more fun yet to come.

 

SK 46 Stadium

SK46 Football Field, as the name suggests, is a football venue in the Sai Mai district of North Bangkok, located at the bottom of Soi 46 off Sai Mai Road. Any club can hire the ground, as was the case when I visited for the first time.  It sometimes hosts games in the Thonburi League as well as countless friendlies.

Two-storey buildings on two sides containing academy classrooms, VIP rooms, changing rooms, a fitness centre and even a cold tub, gave it an enclosed feel. It is home to the Prataungtip FC academy, in collaboration with Pratuangthip Wittaya School, as well as being the base of Chiang Rai United in the capital. 

It has floodlights atop concrete telegraph poles, with high netting hanging from them all the way around the pitch. This is a common feature at Thai amateur venues, and while it can be like watching a game through a chip pan, lots of time is saved, and balls don’t go missing. There is also a 7-a-side real grass field in situ.

Other facilities include an air-conditioned clubhouse for supporters to wait, work, and eat comfortably, along with Wi-Fi and private and shared restrooms, making it one of the better grounds for teams wanting to hire somewhere.

My visit

Poma FC 1 Pathumthani FC 7 (Wednesday 18th March 2026) Friendly (att: c15)

This game provided an unexpected opportunity to see a game at a venue in Sai Mai, not too far from our Minburi condo, which I’ve never previously visited after it appeared on the Twitter account of @FutbologyThai, who’s well worth a follow, especially if you are thinking of attending games in the Land of Smiles.

It was a good standard too, especially with no admission charge, with Poma currently leading their section in the Thonburi League, playing some good stuff and taking the lead before Pathumthani, only for Pathumthani, gearing up for their Semi-pro League campaign in the hopes of joining the pro ranks, to tear them apart. 

The opening goal came via a fine shot from the Poma 22 from outside the box before Pathumthani levelled things up and then failed to take a backward step. They wore maroon and black without numbers on their shirts, while Poma were in a fetching orange, blue and white stripe kit.

It was a hot late afternoon, which saw a linesman facing the sun donning a baseball cap, with a cooling break being taken midway through the first half. I took advantage of sitting in the shade behind the goal with a fan blowing cool air. The splendid SK 46 Stadium ticked all the boxes for football at this level.

It was a dry day for me, but the venue also had a café selling snacks and beer, with a nice restaurant just over the fence behind the far goal. Some walking and a couple of taxi rides did the job to get me there and back, with the Hawksbee & Jacobs podcasts entertaining me along the way.

It was 2-1 at the break and 3-1 pretty soon after, this after a 30-yard free kick cannoned back off a post. I’ll be interested to see how Pathumthani go in their quest to play Thai League 3 football. Poma are no mugs, but they were put to the sword by a talented outfit. The third goal was a back-post volley after the skipper delivered a delicious Liam Brady-Esque chip to the unmarked man.

4-1 came about after a corner was not cleared, with a low shot being out of reach of the goalie. Multiple subs followed. Poma seemed to give everyone a run, including a pint-sized goalie, whereas the victors had a much stronger squad who made hay while the sun continued to shine in the last twenty minutes.

Shots pinged off the metal frame of the goal at regular intervals, with the replacement skipper for Pathumthani skilfully beating the defence to set up a colleague in the middle who smashed the ball home. The sixth was a shot too high for the keeper to reach, with the seventh a low shot that squirmed under him after he and the defence tried to emulate PSG, but as slowly as an HGV. They were inevitably caught out.

A grand, long day out after setting off from our overnight stop near Buriram at 6am. Some shopping for cheddar and a bottle of red will ensure that the missus can enjoy a relaxing Thursday night. Unless, of course, a match appears on Twitter.

An Insane Sisaket Derby

Behind the scenes of one of Isan’s biggest football clashes, as Rasisalai United and Sisaket United face off in a Thai League 2 battle, from the build-up in town and heavy traffic to the buzzing crowds outside the stadium. Witness the atmosphere, the action, and the drama of this unforgettable matchday. 

Whether you’re a fan of Thai League football, love derby atmospheres, or want to see what makes Sisaket's football culture so unique, this match has it all.

Many more Thai football videos, plus those from elsewhere, on my YouTube Channel.

Bangkok Football's Two Tribes

Discover the passion, rivalry, and chaos of Bangkok football in “Bangkok Football’s Two Tribes” in this video exploring Port FC and Muangthong United, two of Thailand’s biggest football clubs.

Join me as I experience matchday at both stadiums, meet passionate fans, and uncover the fiery history behind their intense rivalry, including the infamous Port vs Muangthong riots. You’ll see what makes each club unique, how to get tickets, and the easiest public transport routes to reach the grounds.

Many more Thai football videos, plus those from elsewhere, on my YouTube Channel.

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Trat

Trat FC is a professional club that was formed in 2012, representing the town and province of the same name. The White Elephants, as the club is nicknamed, were admitted to the 2011 Regional League Division 2 Central & Eastern Region division.

This was the third-tier competition of the time, with the team reaching the play-offs in their debut season as Rattaporn Saetan put away the goals that led to promotion to the second-level Division 1. Harnarong Chunhakunakorn came in as head coach as the side consolidated with help from the goals of Woukoue Mefire Raymond and Seiya Sugishita.

Krit Singha-preecha was given the coach’s role, as Trat were relegated to Division 2 Eastern at the end of the 2015 season, where Erivaldo top scored as the side won the title a year later after Praphan Narkpong had taken charge of on-field affairs.

Barros Tardeli became the goalscoring hero at the Trat Province Stadium, as Somkiat Fongpech, Worakorn Wichanarong, and Dusit Chalermsan all had spells as head coach. A runners-up place in 2018 elevated Trat to the elite level, Thai League 1 in 2018.

Lonsana Doumbouya scored the goals in 2019 after the arrival of new head coach Phayong Khunnaen, as the team settled in its elevated environment, before being relegated in the 2020-21 season, despite the goals of Ricardo Santos.

Somchai Chuayboonchum was at the helm the following season as Paulo Conrado scored regularly to take Trat to the playoffs, where they defeated Phrae United before losing the final on away goals to Lamphun Warriors. Coach Harnarong returned for a second spell to oversee the 2022-23 campaign.

Ferreira dos Santos finished the opportunities as Trat won promotion as runners-up, before the appointment of Santi Chaiyaphuak as head coach. Lidor Cohen’s goals weren’t enough to keep Trat up a year later, as Krongpol Daorueang arrived to take charge of the relegated club.

His spell lasted just a few months before he was replaced by Somchai Makmool, who in turn was succeeded by Phayong Khunnaen during the mid-season break. Phillerson top-scored as the side finished near the wrong end of the table. Santi Chaiyaphuak was appointed as the Trat head coach on January 1, 2026.

Trat FC will play in the Thai League 2 in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Wednesday 21st August 2024

My wife and I were heading to the Koh Chang Beach Cricket Tournament and decided to make the journey easier by having her drive us to Trat to discover what the town was all about, before taking the ferry over in time for lunch the next day.

A visit to a rather underwhelming but welcoming local museum was followed by a visit to the stadium, which was being cleaned up and readied in time for a local event. I was extremely impressed with what I saw, as rather than a simple generic province stadium, it had some individuality and pride put into it.

Once I’d snapped away, we checked into our hotel, the excellent BaanRimNam Resort and had a rest before discovering what Trat had to offer on a Wednesday evening. In truth, not a lot, though I quite liked sitting watching the world go by at the open-fronted Lao Leu Music & Restaurant.

Mrs Rob was not quite as enamoured, so after a look at the basic night market, we took beers home before thoroughly enjoying the ride in a boat on the Nam Chiao to see Wat Jai Bridge. We then headed to the ferry and then lunch in the consistently magnificent Tidlom Seafood Restaurant at Salak Khok on Koh Chang.

Sisaket – A Real Football City

                      

It’s strange at times how life works out. Many of us become supporters of a particular football club depending on where we are born, or an allegiance being passed down through the generations. Some choose a particular club because of their success and choose to cheer them from afar, never actually attending games.

The less said about them, the better, while sometimes a change of location can see people adopting their new local club and becoming fully embraced, attending games and getting the most out of the opportunity to watch live sport.

Attending a Sisaket FC match in 2018
I'm not sure the stadium has been cleaned since

In my case, I am a Scarborough fan, as were all the elder members of my family, with Hull City offering me the chance of some bigger games on a visit to a larger place. When I moved to London, it was Hendon that I had an affection for when I couldn’t travel north. My holidays to Thailand saw me get to any games I could, eager for new adventures and to find unknown pleasures. Port FC became my favourite side, as they offered me the best matchday experience in Bangkok. However, things changed halfway through 2022.

I had met and become close to a lady while I lived in Minburi, who suggested we might enjoy life together in her home province of Sisaket. I visited the city on a whistlestop Isan tour in 2018 and took in a game against Nakhon Ratchasima in the League Cup. The city seemed fine to me, and the people were warm and friendly, so why not give it a go?

Things developed pretty quickly between the two of us, as I fell in love with the people and the country life I was being offered, with the added chance to go and watch some football. It was the season that Sisaket FC were to fold, be disbanded and thrown out of Thai League 3 after a massive wrangle and dispute with Esan United. They had a good history, previously playing in the top tier of Thai football, and filled the stadium on occasions, losing 1-0 to Buriram United in the 2015 League Cup final.

Fortunately, another club, Sisaket United, formed in 2012, took over sole tenancy of the dated and dirty Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium and reached the playoffs in 2022-23, my first season of watching them. What came as a shock when my future wife drove me around the area was that there was a second club playing in town in a huge stadium that I was previously unaware of. Rasisalai United were competing in their debut season in the Thai League 3.

The more modern SAT Stadium

This was great news, especially after moving full-time to the area in February 2023, as it meant that there were two teams to go and watch. I quickly worked out that it would be possible to get to see games at Ubon UMT Stadium and other venues in the nearby cities once dropped off in Kanthararom, twenty minutes from us.

Sisaket is mad about football, with the province being fiercely proud of its people and teams that represent it. I often tell friends about its vibe, being one of community and taking me back to being a youngster in England, before attitudes and cultures changed for the worse. I quickly discovered that quite a few people went to watch whoever was playing, whether it be Sisaket or Rasisalai.

Looking towards "our" VIP seats

The following season, Rasi, a town around 40km from Sisaket city, had a distinctly average season, in front of crowds of around 300. Because their town has no suitable venue, they continued to play at the SAT Stadium in Sisaket. Sisaket United had a superb season, winning promotion and finishing overall runners-up in Thai League 3. While the tactics of coach “Pat” could sometimes be dull, they were effective, with the excellent Matteus Panigazzi and Danilo leading the way.

Naturally, interest grew along with attendance in the second tier. Rasi owner, the often-excitable Nuchanart Jaruwongsatian, was not about to see her club left behind. Arnon Bandasak was installed as coach, along with the arrival of three Brazilians: Ramon Mesquita, Gilberto Macena, and Alberto Gouvea. My pal, John, and I had met Alberto going into a Sisaket match and asked him how he thought he would get on. He told us he would score twenty goals, which we took with a pinch of salt.

Derby Day, and more importantly, a quality deal at a quality bar to get into the mood.
Football will always be far more than 90 minutes to me. It's a day out.

He was no joker, as he matched his tally and more, as the team did even better than Sisaket the season before, becoming national T3 champions, as crowds grew, merchandise sales rocketed, and teams were blown away regularly. All this while Sisaket finished outside the playoffs, despite showing promise on occasions.

The local derby between the two sides early in the 2025-26 season attracted an official crowd of 4,458, to which a thousand can be added, as kids don’t pay. They played out a magnificent 3-3 draw, while “Uncle Chuay”, the new coach of Sisaket United, formerly in charge of Sisaket FC, oversaw an improvement in their fortunes.

A big crowd at the derby

With one game before the mid-season break, Rasisalai sit at the top of the table and are still unbeaten, with Sisaket in third place. Two sides are promoted automatically, with the next four entering the playoffs. We are being spoilt for entertainment and matchdays in town.

The two experiences do differ. As mentioned, Sisaket’s home is decrepit, filthy, and a health hazard. It has a track around the pitch, but importantly, the stands are in a straight line, meaning not too much distance from the pitch. The fans are generally older, following the province’s traditional club, and are extremely passionate and vocal, with officials and visiting players being left in no doubt that they are the enemies. It’s horrible, the toilets are shocking, and the pitch is a disgrace, with some crazy people adding to the entertainment. I love it, especially on the open side.

The SAT Stadium is a bowl with curved stands around its running track, meaning it is a far greater distance from the pitch, and lacking in intensity, despite plenty of noise being made. The fans are generally younger and more polite. We sit every game in the VIP area, near the partners and families of the players, basically because we did when hardly anyone attended, so we continued to do so, becoming accepted as part of the furniture.

What will happen if one or both clubs win promotion to League 1 is anyone’s guess. It will take a lot of money to improve the squads. Things like, will the overseas players manage at the higher level, with their advanced years, are among the questions fans are beginning to ask. On a selfish level, will the matchday experience deteriorate?

The pitch at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium
Even worse than normal

You see, going to football is far more than the actual football match to me. I have a good shout and enjoy seeing either team win, but if it’s a poor game, I shrug my shoulders and wait for next week. However, if there’s no beer, food, or laughter involved, I get very grumpy. Football day is my day out, and I must enjoy it. Results don’t matter if I have a good day. You see, we’re all different.

And that I think is why I love living in Sisaket so much. We have a small golf course, so we can enjoy a round. There is great food to be had, with bars too. It’s easy to walk up to the stadium and drink outside or take a beer to our seats. There is no hassle with tickets, and we get to know regulars. It’s the ideal size for me. I do worry some of it might diminish if either side went up, along with some heavy defeats on the pitch.

Under a Blood Red Sky at Sisaket United

The good thing is, I have the fallback of knowing that teams like Kanthararom United will enter the FA Cup along with amateur sides from Ubon Ratchathani, with a semipro league entertaining me in the new year, with the chance of a few days finding new bars and restaurants, making new friends, as well as an occasional game of golf.

Best of all, I live in a province of pride, among good people, both expat and Thai, who love their football, in whichever way they choose to support their local teams.