Thai League Thoughts January 2025

The Bloody Big Elephant in the Room

Personal thoughts on the Thai League in January 2025

These thoughts are penned as once again the Thai League season is on its midseason break around Christmas and New Year, this time just as 2025 begins. 

Quite why the sabbatical is as long will be covered later, as it provides one of the great frustrations to those who follow the game in the Land of Smiles. At least to the non-Thai community.

The Thai men’s national team comes before anything to do with the league competition. It always has done and is likely to continue to do so in the eyes of the authorities and Thais. It is the time of year when either the ASEAN championships take place, which are a sort of poor man’s larger version of the old Home Internationals in the UK, for those old enough to remember, or friendly games are arranged.

Despite the importance put on the national team, they never advance or improve in tournaments that matter such as World Cup qualifying or the Asian Championships or are likely to. An ASEAN title, or winning the King’s Cup, another fill-in during extended international breaks, paper over the cracks while those in charge self-congratulate themselves and the fans rejoice.

The importance of the national team is paramount. That is apart from if a club decides it will not release players for it or pulls them out when they have fixtures to fulfil, which while sounding contradictory, leads us to the primary focus of this piece. The state of Thai League football, and how it could be improved. 

Until it is, the Thailand national team is highly unlikely to ever progress.

It is very important to try and understand Thai culture and mentality. Everyday life in Thailand can be disorganised and with little planning. While that can lead to farangs tearing their hair out, that’s how it has always been. I have grown accustomed to it and find it quite endearing until it affects me.

Thais are extremely stoic and resourceful and live life each day in the moment. Changing minds and doing something completely different on a whim after previous planning is discarded, is navigated with ease and unquestioned. It is one of the beauties of living here, but it can be a huge obstacle when running a professional football league as fixtures and venues can change as late as a few days before they are due to be played. Yet local fans still turn up without hardly raising a murmur.

For things to change, it would need someone with experience and total impartiality to be appointed to run things. There doesn’t seem to be such a person in Thailand. That is where the local culture comes into play, as those with those who have connections, power, and money, continue to run things. As a guest, I accept and respect that.

Singaporean, Ben Tan, was onboard as deputy CEO for five years until 2021, but the likelihood of a foreigner being given the job of running the Thai FA or Thai League seems remote at best, despite the skills and professionalism that they would bring to the job. Even if by some miracle they were given control, I would imagine that they would end up resigning within months.

Why? Because they would quickly realise that the league in its present state is run for certain clubs to be indulged. Someone appointed from outside would naturally want to change things so that all clubs would be treated in the same way. At which point those with huge power at certain clubs, as well as carrying it in everyday Thai life, would say, no way!

Apart from four clubs, who we will come on to, most Thai football clubs are skint. That doesn’t mean that they don’t spend money on players, including foreign stars. It just means that often they end up not paying them, at least on time, as they overstretch their budgets in unsustainable fashion trying to chase an impossible dream.

The three clubs with the most power are Buriram United, Port FC, and BG Pathum United. Their owners are prominent people in Thai business and society. When a previous TV deal was not renegotiated, it left clubs seriously short of money. The big three owners agreed to hand out cash to the other clubs in the top division. This was not out of some philanthropist desire. 

It would transpire that once Nualphan Lamsam, better known as Madam Pang, and owner of Port FC, had won the election to become President of the FA of Thailand, it would mean even more power for her and her backers who would run the Thai League, and who happened to include the other two big owners. 

The fourth club Bangkok United is owned by True, a communications conglomerate that by chance became the new owners of the TV deal for the 2024-25 season after their side had lifted the FA Cup thanks to some questionable refereeing and VAR input, which could have been a complete coincidence. 

Within weeks the BGPU owner resigned from their role running the league, leading to Pang’s hand being severely weakened. She remained supported by Buriram owner Newin Chidchob, the most powerful club owner, as well as a politician and arguably the ruler of Buriram province. 

It was his club that pulled out the three players from the national team, whose head coach Masatada Ishii, was formerly the head coach of Buriram and who was given his current role in interesting circumstances after Pang backed his predecessor. 

This nicely brings us to why, at least in this writer's opinion the status quo of the Thai League will remain unaltered for the foreseeable future. 

Whatever people’s opinions of Newin, he is undoubtedly a very clever and extremely driven man, named incidentally after the Burmese dictator, Ne Win. He bought league champions PEA, who were based in Ayutthaya, and moved them lock stock and barrel to Buriram, 333km away, in the sort of move that makes the MK Dons and Wimbledon fiasco look small fry. Yet in Thailand, anything seemed to go.

The reason for the withdrawals from the national team was that Buriram had three league games to play during the break which were previously postponed owing to travelling to fulfil AFC Champions League fixtures. Unlike more developed football nations, which would see provisions made when the fixtures were released, or insist the clubs played on the original weekends. Instead, the league competition was devalued as Buriram had the three matches in hand to play which also gave the table an unbalanced look. 

The league authorities were too toothless to do anything about it. If Madam Pang had insisted, she would most likely have lost her most important backer which could see her being forced out and losing face, which for someone who cherishes public profile and being in the spotlight above all else, would be unthinkable. And Buriram wouldn’t have played anyway.

Newin built a magnificent stadium from scratch after purchasing PEA on lots of spare land on the edge of the city. Next to it are shopping and entertainment venues as well as a hotel so that revenue is generated every day, as well as a motor racing track which stages a leg in the Moto GP each year and brings in billions of baht and visitors from around the world. The training pitches are also of the highest quality. 

The owner changes coaches when he sees fit, in a not dissimilar way to Chelsea under Roman Abramovich, and they win things, being crowned champions eight out of the last ten years. Their recruitment of players is better than everyone else and if they happen to misfire, they are quickly replaced because money is no object. Their current star player is said to command a monthly salary akin to the other club’s payment to all of their foreign recruits accumulated. Newin is playing poker on behalf of Buriram against relative paupers. They are so far ahead of the field it is untrue, on and off the pitch.

The other three of the ‘big’ clubs are way behind in support levels, either not having the stadium capacity or failing to create the potential levels of interest because they are run so inefficiently. Buriram doesn’t get everything right, but they are rarely challenged because of some of the shambolic organising elsewhere. Yet fans of other clubs, farangs aside, hardly bat an eyelid, because it is not in their culture to complain. 

The other clubs in Thai League 1 generally look to avoid relegation. Occasionally one might threaten the pack, but their sponsors or owners quickly realise that the project is unsustainable after a couple of years as the others are too far ahead. How some of those in T2 and T3 manage to survive, goodness knows.

Location is another huge factor in Buriram’s stranglehold. They are based in Isan, a generally poor area of Thailand. The football club has a massive captive audience as there are not the same distractions or entertainment options as in Bangkok. When they moved to their new city, the club gave away lots of tickets, continuing to offer promotions while driving a massive marketing campaign which continually sees unprecedented shirt sales creating revenue. 

People of all ages are owners of Buriram shirts which can be seen being sold and worn all over Thailand. Buriram quickly became Isan’s club, beating the teams and sticking two fingers up to those from prosperous Bangkok, while the others in the region were left behind by those who wanted to be associated with success.

Bangkok clubs will continue to struggle to compete and not just financially. Large swathes of the population who live there are made up of a diaspora of those who have moved for work and support the teams of their home provinces. Or support an English team. Ask most Thais and they will say they like football, but they are most likely to say they support Liverpool or Man United. The vast majority of Bangkokians will not go to local football with many not even knowing that the clubs exist. They have far more options to spend their time and money on in any case.

This might be down to poor marketing of local clubs, with most who have an interest in football preferring to watch the EPL on TV, the poor experience when attending games, or the realisation that Buriram are totally dominant and that they hold too much power, with referees helping them whenever they find themselves in a spot. Match officials certainly need better training to be able to control games to a higher standard, but what’s the point if they can be swayed? 

It is noticeable that Buriram doesn’t fare so well in AFC competitions where they are up against better sides and stronger match officials who won’t be bullied.

The extra support in Thai League games from the officials along with huge finances, being able to call games off and rearrange them when it suits, as well as having by far the best squad. means that I cannot see anyone getting close to Buriram for some time to come.

Some recall Chonburi FC being “too big” for the league and being dominant some years ago, but the finances involved were on a completely different scale back then, meaning others could quickly catch up and then surpass them. I cannot see anyone being able to find an owner with as much power away from the game and the financial resources and captive audience to get close to Buriram. 

Others argue that Man Utd were completely dominant in the EPL and that things can change in the same way in Thailand. However, they had the best coach for many years and once he’d gone so had their advantage as the TV deal meant that any club could sign quality players while new huge foreign investment came into the game. Thai clubs do not have a fraction of that income coming in. Maybe not having a lucrative TV deal even suits those at the top as the gap cannot be closed?

It is reckoned the Newin will be handing the reins down to his son within a couple of years. Will that change things? Maybe, but there will still be the power in the background, along with the superb infrastructure that he has created as well as the money to continue attracting the best imports.

While this might come across as a depressing read, and there is plenty that could be done to improve things, I love Thai football and attending games. It is undoubtedly an advantage not to take things too seriously. We are only guests as farangs so my thoughts are we should enjoy the good things. There’s nothing we can do to change matters anyway.

I head out, make the match part of the day and cheer for Port or Sisaket United if I attend one of their games but don’t worry too much. The result is forgotten by the time I get home. If I have had a laugh catching up with friends, had a few beers, and some food then my day is a happy one. It’s a great fun day out and doesn’t cost too much if the game happens to be poor. As a far more experienced man than I in Thai football says, “Learn to be like bamboo”. Bend and don’t be broken by it.

I continually laugh whenever anyone gives Buriram a bloody nose on the pitch but know that’s as scant consolation as I’ll get as they continue to dominate. A sentence I could probably repeat and post each New Year.

Sunday Bloody (Brilliant) Sunday

 Sunday Bloody (Brilliant) Sunday

Sisaket United 2 Nakhonsi United 1

Sunday 15th December 2014

Thai League 2

Attendance: 1,302

It had been a very cold period relatively speaking in the remote countryside of Sisaket by our home for a week or so. I had been feeling a bit under the weather with a cough and chest complaint. That could probably be put down to getting on in years and overdoing things for the previous month.

As the wind howled on Saturday night, I stayed indoors and watched some EPL action using the best-known cure to man. Some single malt Scotch whisky with cheese and biscuits. Well, it certainly worked for me over many years anyway. It helped me sleep and withdraw any thoughts of giving the match the next day a miss.

There was an extra special reason for me not to. I love my matchday, ensuring that I squeeze every last drop out of a few hours away from home. While I equally adore the peacefulness of our abode and having an occasional cycle ride and generally relaxing, it is important to have a chat in English as well as the one day of the week I eat predominantly western food. And of course, the football fills in a couple of hours of the adventure.

While I have no problem keeping myself entertained and going to a match alone, it is generally more enjoyable being in the company of others. It provides conversation and opinion, often pointing out things it’s so easy to miss while in a private cocoon. Indeed, it was while I was chatting to Peter, the amiable owner of Hong Kong Garden, my pre-match venue of choice, that he happened to mention expats he knew who never went anywhere and spent their lives in a room working online.

John, my friend and fellow Sisaket fan was away for the foreseeable future. I badly missed meeting him and going to games together. In the meantime, since his departure, I have attended matches with friends, some visiting the area who seemed to enjoy the experience of what is a special part of the world to me as well as what matchday brought. Indeed, it was friends visiting the previous week that would lead to me being introduced to a new ally.

The write-up of that day, for those who read my scribblings as they are released, will go online just before Christmas. Sort of apt for Thai football where one club decides and dictates when they play their matches throwing everything out of sync.

Anyway, it was in Leo’s after the match seven days previously that we came across Per, a passionate Arsenal supporter from Tromsø in Norway who lived in Sisaket. If that makes any sense. My only connection to his home city is remembering Chelsea playing there on a snow-covered pitch on TV. It broke the ice, so to speak, especially as Per spoke good English, as all his countrymen seemed to.

We became friends on Facebook, and I sent him a message leading up to the match. The amazing thing was that although Per loved football, he had no idea of any clubs or leagues in Thailand, which says everything about the potency of local marketing. He seemed astonished and equally delighted when I told him I went to most home games, even more so when he discovered that the city has a second stadium where Rasisalai United play in the third tier. He messaged me just as I alighted the train from Kathararom and headed for my food and beer.

He was waiting outside the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium ahead of schedule a little later, as keen as mustard. We wandered around to the far side where I knew there would be a better atmosphere and settled down to beers, on a cold and windy night, served by the usual friendly ladies on the stall as he tried to take it all in.

He told me of his football experiences through work going to games in London, the expensive nature of it, and the wonderful people he had met along the way. It was great to meet someone else who was clearly enjoying the whole experience, even from an initial stage.

I often lament how I would love to find the same buzz once more as my initial taxi ride from Don Muang Airport in 2004 and seeing the incredible sights which grabbed my heartstrings followed by a night downtown. Then my first taste of Thai football in 2010. If someone could bottle those emotions, then surely, they’d be a millionaire. Seeing someone else getting similar enjoyment is not a bad second best.

We headed upstairs to watch the proceedings unfold. His first comment was the state of the pitch, saying he thought it resembled The Dell, from Southampton’s old home. He knew his stuff, quickly sussing out that the ref could be easily manipulated. The hosts, pushing towards the playoff places, went ahead through Caique Ribeiro in the early exchanges.

Fellow Brazilian Danilo then missed a chance that I would have been upset to fluff. Per thought it wonderful that this previously unknown competition had Brazilians playing in it. Danilo was impressive every week with his strength and game management. If only he could finish with the same aplomb that he is said to display when polishing off meals in certain local establishments. But then again, we wouldn’t be watching him ply his trade in the second tier of Thai football if he was highly competent in front of goal.

Nakhonsi had been on an awful run of form. Despite this, they played with a surprising amount of confidence, with some clever flicks and smart passing movements. They brought around twenty fans with them, showing some real dedication travelling nineteen hours by road. My friend was bang on the money when he said it was not fair to give them the worst view in the entire ground. He couldn’t believe it when I explained that they were also charged more for the privilege.

The hosts were made to pay for missing their opportunity when Bianor Neto headed home from a narrow angle from a corner with Sisaket goalie Adisak flapping like a loosely fitted letterbox as was his norm. It was soon after that referee Piyapong Thonkhain and his nearside official got in on the act, or at least they should have done.

Wongsakorn was fouled by a visiting defender, with the offence clearly inside the box. The official gave a free kick outside the area. His assistant offered no assistance. It was as well that the bloke behind me from the previous week was missing or he’d have required hospital treatment. Astonishing stuff, but highly entertaining for those without too much skin in the game.

However, it was the ref who in the end decided the game in the second half when he gave Sisaket a penalty for an offence that seemed to be making up for his previous error of judgement. The crowd certainly played their part in helping him make up his mind. They can be a feisty bunch once they’ve had a beer or two. Danilo slotted home the resulting spot kick with eleven minutes remaining on the clock.

The Lamduan saw out the rest of the game for another three points with another unconvincing performance. We wandered around back to where I was to get a lift and where Per had parked his motorbike. By the open gap below the away section, a farang was applauding the Nakhonsi side who’d gone to acknowledge the magnificent support that they had received. We joined him.

Danilo nets the winner from the spot

I commended him on his loyalty, making such a journey only for him to reveal he was a Sisaket fan who lived an hour north of the city. Si was originally from south Wales but had become a Hull City fan, the larger team I cheer for in England, after he studied at the university there. It seemed inconceivable that our paths hadn’t previously crossed.

He told us where he sat for home games, so hopefully, that would lead to another friendship being created by attending Thai football. What a splendid day. I was so overcome with emotion my wife had to recall my driver after I left my phone in the back of his car after he had dispatched me before I recalled most of the day to her. Often repeating myself. What a lucky lady.

For reasons of which I have no idea, she went to bed and didn’t want to watch the Brighton v Crystal Palace game with me, so I made the best of the company of the remaining whisky and snacks before they bid farewell. I contemplated that this could well have been the last live game that I attended in 2024.

Unless I lost my sanity and headed to Ubon v Suranaree Black Cat in the League 3 Cup the following Wednesday…..

 

The Crusher Tribute Act

Stars on Sunday

A Tribute Act to my mate Crusher from the Bloke Behind Me

 

Sisaket United 2 Chanthaburi 1

Thai League 2

Sunday 8th December 2024

Attendance: 1,311

December has always been a strange month for me. I have never really enjoyed Christmas, and all the fuss connected to it, which at times in my adult life affected me mentally. I’ve no idea why. Perhaps spending so many years as a single person or the emotion involved along with drinking too much possibly lowered my resolve. It has admittedly become easier since 2021 through my move to Thailand, being in a relationship, and a place where it’s not heavily celebrated.

A few days before Santa was getting ready to dish out gifts in 2020 it was the height of lockdown during Covid and a miserable time without seeing friends with pubs shut down and no sport to attend. I had bought lots of food and beer and returned to my home of the time in Northwest London and started drinking when I received the awful news that my good friend Crusher had passed away. I drank an awful lot that night.

David Johnson, to give Crusher his Christened name, and I had become friends in the early part of the 1987-88 football season. I had been aware of him at Scarborough matches, this big bloke a couple of years older than me who appeared to be permanently angry during a game. By then I had begun to work as a Postman with Crusher’s dad, George. He was another of whom the term “does not suffer fools gladly” was invented. Like his son, he was extremely honest and loyal.

Sunday League teammates

I initially invited Crusher to join us in a car to a midweek away game at Hereford, and a friendship was born. We had plenty in common, be it beer, pubs, playing local football, or going to Scarborough FC as well as cricket. Our views on life were around the same as well as our political beliefs. 

We ended up going all over together supporting Boro and England, both football and cricket, as well as visiting Europe and Australia and becoming teammates and drinking partners for British Gas FC while also frequenting the town's pubs together. I'm sad, that like my parents, Crusher didn't get the chance to see me enjoying life overseas as a married man, especially after all the support he gave me.

From Crusher With Love

Those who never met him are much the poorer. He was there to listen, remaining calm, offering a solution, but only if asked, and generally being a rock. He loved laughing and living life and was immensely popular, being able to also tell great stories. If he had a pint, a newspaper, predominantly to do the puzzles, and some music he was happy, particularly sitting at the bar in The Cask pub. It says it all that old mates run an annual coach to a Scarborough Athletic away game each season in tribute and to remember him.

It was in the Cask establishment that many a quiet couple got to hear Crusher if they happened to be sitting anywhere near a TV when Liverpool, his other love, were playing. His range of profanities towards the referee and several opposition players was as good as any I’ve yet to hear and formed entertainment of its own. It was repeated watching Scarborough from the terraces. 

The match officials certainly knew he was in attendance. Certain opponents got extra special treatment. I’m not sure what Russ Wilcox ever did wrong when he wore various opponents' shirts against us, but I swear his first move after running onto the pitch was to look across and listen for the first bit of feedback from the big man which would continue for the following ninety minutes.

Among his classics include the beauty delivered to Paolo Maldini. “You’re only in the team because your dad is the manager”. Any Aussie cricketer, particularly Ricky Ponting, yet except anyone playing as an overseas signing for Yorkshire, received special attention. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a happier man when we celebrated an Ashes win together on his birthday at Sydney Cricket Ground.

I didn’t think I would ever meet anyone rattier during a game who supports a team in Thailand. There is a large lady who shouts incessantly at Port FC in the top corner of B Zone. I wouldn’t dare be late home if I lived with her, but she is more of an encouraging nature. I think. And of course, some lead the orchestrated cheering while using a megaphone. Astonishingly, clubs can be fined for audible chanting accusations of cheating towards the officials or the administrators in Thailand. Good luck ever introducing that elsewhere.

I’m different to most fans in Thailand. While I cheer for Port FC when in Bangkok and Sisaket United when at home in Northeast Thailand, I attend any game I can and don’t get upset by the results. To me, the match is to be enjoyed as a part of my weekly day out. I generally find those ex-pats who get too involved become frustrated, somehow expecting the same experience and levels of organisation and structure as when watching football in their western home country. That will never happen.

I find it far more fun to go along, have a few beers, have a cheer and then go home and look forward to the next game. I love it and it plays a big part in my life. On Sunday 8th December 2024, I met someone probably more animated than Crusher. It might yet even change the way I support Sisaket United.

Like anywhere, it is usually better when attending something with friends. Ben from Denmark, along with Noi who lives in Bangkok as well as my wife Taew were with me on the final day of what had been a heavy month of socialising in many different locations around the country. The match at Sri Lamduan Stadium against Chanthaburi was the ideal opportunity to round things off with a hotel stay in town with the game sandwiched between a late lunch, lots of beers and then a pub at fulltime. Perfect.

Our guests had been to the home game with Khon Kaen the previous year with my Danish pal being impressed with the vitriol shown towards the referee with comments from the main stand suggesting that his wife was from the same city as the visitors. In Bachman-Turner Overdrive mode, “He Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”.

It was my suggestion that we watched from the uncovered far side where the more vociferous fans assembled with no danger of rain on this occasion. It proved to be an inspired decision. We went upstairs after beers and snacks outside in the fan zone enjoying the whole occasion as it should be.

I let Taew decide where to sit and she came up trumps. The hosts went ahead within a minute when a long throw from skipper Pongsak Boontod was flicked on at the near post by Caíque Ribeiro and put away by top scorer Danilo. The big Brazilian was outstanding all evening while assisted by fellow countrymen Caique and Abner.

As ever, the Thais filled in, which often saw Danilo becoming exasperated by some of the poor game management and lack of skills around him from the natives. The tactics of coach, Narongthanaphorn, who could be negative in the extreme, probably not a huge help.

Fans in Sisaket can be extremely passionate. It was noticeable that crowds would build throughout the game after they got away from work, with the volume increasing as beer was being consumed at regular intervals. It could go up on the dial if the opponents employed ways to frustrate or the officials were deemed to be against the home team. Enter my new hero.

Within minutes, a Chanthaburi defender was not penalised, probably correctly. It led to some pushing and shoving between players on both sides, which ignited a tinder box. The bloke behind me, probably in his thirties was going berserk. He had a booming voice, which he used for the rest of the game with very few stops for breath as he abused anyone belonging to Chanthaburi as well as the match officials.

Next to him was a slender lady who never spoke a word. Was it a first date on which he was trying to impress or perhaps she enjoyed it as much as the rest of us did? I was at a loss what he was shouting, but Taew’s facial expressions suggested there was lots of abuse with a hint of humour. What I’d have given to sit Crusher next to him.

The away side scored a lovely goal to restore parity which was finished by Tongan international Ata Inia. While the Wild Rabbits were not very good, they looked dangerous going forward led by another Brazilian, Tiago Chulapa. All three supporters in the distant away zone seemed happy.

They had been charged double the money for the experience, one thing I dislike about Thai football. Crusher would have certainly had views about it, especially if he had been plonked in there.

You could have heard a pin drop. However, it was soon back to normal. I had noticed the previous week that Chanthaburi had lost a tempestuous battle away to league leaders Phrae United in which Irish defender Clyde O'Connell had been given his marching orders. That journey by road was eleven hours, compared to less than eight to Sisaket. And people wonder why clubs struggle financially.

Not that the bloke behind me showed any sympathy for the travel or cost incurred. His abusive lexicon was continually impressive in a country famed for its hospitality.

Just past the half-hour mark, Abner made the most of finding a way to tumble in the box as he ran into an opponent. Referee Nasri Tamat pointed to the spot, a decision undoubtedly swayed by crowd pressure. Quite reasonably the visiting team players were extremely angry. Danilo kept his cool, stepped up and slotted the penalty past the generally dodgy goalkeeper Chaloempat Ploywanratta.

The second half followed the pattern of many Lamduan home games. Sisaket decided to try and hang on to their lead. It was a tactic they consistently used in the three seasons I had become a regular. The times that they are caught out, especially since being promoted to the second tier, are surely worthy of a change of thought. Unbelievably in the closing stages, previously unambitious Thai home players turned adventurous making shocking decisions. I was wondering whether Danilo or the bloke behind me would pop first.

I turned around when the full-time whistle was blown to shake hands. I would have asked him for a photo but didn’t want him to think I was taking the piss. Many locals were laughing at their fellow fan and me thanking him and vowing to meet again the following week.

Uan, our one-legged driver, a story of his own, was waiting behind the main stand to drive us to Leo’s, a wonderful bar and restaurant to see out the rest of the night. They had an offer on Guinness of buy one and get one free, while Australian striploin steaks had a big reduction in price.

There was still time to make acquaintance with Per for the first time, a Norwegian who it transpired lived in town and was doing his pieces while cheering on Arsenal and seeing them have two goals chalked off through VAR on TV. He was unaware of Sisaket having a professional team, the news of which seemed to make his evening as contact details were exchanged between us, hopefully, to introduce him to a life-changing experience.

A grand day out, with England starting it by winning the Test in New Zealand. It was full of fun, and laughter surrounded by great company as beer flowed in excellent venues soaked up with delicious food, and a rare home win too. But most of all, the bloke behind me, topped it off by doing his Crusher tribute act. I hope he was the same value in a bar and in life in general.

RIP Crusher. Happy Christmas everyone.

Phuket Andaman

 

The history of the professional football club of Phuket Andaman FC can be traced back to 2019 when they began life as Patong City FC. They follow in the footsteps of other professional clubs from the southern holiday island.

Phuket FC was formed in 2009 and placed in the Regional Division 2 South with home games being played at Surakul Stadium. The goals of Diarra Ali took them to the title in 2010 and promotion to Thai Division 1 League, which was the second tier at the time. 

The club lasted five seasons at that level as the likes of Adama Koné, Dudu, and Berlin Ndebe-Nlome topped the scoring for the Southern Sea Kirins. The owners pumped considerable sums into the club and launched a big marketing campaign before withdrawing their finances with some player's contracts being left unpaid.

In their final two seasons, Phuket FC played in and were relegated from Regional League Division 2 South. In 2017 the side ended second in Thai League 4 South as Nattapoom Maya top-scored before the club dissolved over the license being denied owing to unpaid contracts. 

In 2018 and 2019 the owners of the newly formed Phuket City FC somehow moved Banbueng FC, who competed in Thai League 3 Lower, to Sarakhul Stadium and changed their name accordingly, while a legal battle commenced. In 2020 they returned to Chonburi to resume as Bangbueng FC.

Meanwhile, in 2019, Patong City began life in the Thailand Amateur League, where a second place in the South region was enough to win promotion to Thai League 3 South. Walit Jitboonchuen was in charge as head coach when the 2020-21 season commenced as the side finished tenth.

Yodwong Misen led the scoring, going on to do so for the following two seasons. Adirek Bintuan arrived as head coach but was later replaced by Nipont Chanarwut during the disappointing 2021-22 campaign before the club took the title of Phuket Andaman in 2022-23.

This saw a much improved sixth place being achieved under the leadership of Jarupong Sangpong. Vilson James Dos Santos was appointed as head coach in 2023-24 which resulted in a ninth-place finish before the club was bought by foreign owners, Higher Sports Co. 

The group already had academy set-ups in other countries and wanted to introduce the same in Phuket, when Andaman became available to buy. Chairman Russ Horsley began the task of putting down foundations by appointing the returning Jarupong as coach.

The relationship failed to materialise, leading to him being replaced in the mid-October of 2024 by Phuwanart Saengsri, as the club looked to put a turbulent few months behind them.

Phuket Andaman FC will play in Thai League 3 South in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Wednesday April 13th 2016

It was time for my annual visit to Phuket ahead of the Sixes Cricket tournaments that I was involved in. With the first event starting the following day, I decided to take myself off and enjoy some quality time, and head over the island from my hotel in Karon. 

My pal dropped me near Karon Roundabout where I knew a songthaew service went up over the hill and towards Phuket Town but no idea how often they ran. I'm not sure those in charge did either. After what seemed ages in the heat, I clambered aboard and off we went.

As soon as we reached the outskirts of the town my eyes were peeled looking out for the floodlights. This was in the days before I had an internet connection running on my iPhone to source Google Maps. It was just a couple of hundred metres along Vichitsongkram Road when I pressed the bell for the driver to stop. 

Thankfully, the gates were open, and I had access to take photos of what had a horseshoe-shaped continual terrace around the running track. One side had seats with a roof, opposite them were open to the elements. The road end had no spectator accommodation as such.

Once complete I continued to the old town. I had alighted there on a bus from Bangkok on my first-ever Thailand adventure but saw little of it. This time I had a nice look around, including a taxi ride down to the waterfront at Saphan Hin. It was extremely pleasant as I seem to recall. 

The songthaew took me back, jumping out so that I could wander down Taina Road to visit AllStar Aussie Bar, one of the cricket sponsors, to enjoy a good few drinks with Gary, the friendly host.

Later during the stay, a second cricket tournament was played at the Republic Ground where at the close of play in the cricket, the footballers of Phuket FC arrived for their training sessions.