Army United

 

Army United FC

Ground: Royal Thai Army Stadium

Capacity: 4,000

Club Founded: 1916

Club Dissolved: 2019

Army United FC had a proud history going back over a hundred years. Thai football had changed by 2019, as a change of Monarch led to the withdrawal of state backing of the services’ professional sides. The club called it a day in the professional ranks.

However, their second string at the time, Royal Thai Army FC, continued to operate.

A History of Army United FC

Army United FC, known as Royal Thai Army FC when formed in 1916, was based in Bangkok's Din Daeng district. The club had a continual presence in Thai football.

Most of the club's players served in the Army. The team played at the impressive 20,000-capacity Thai Army Sports Stadium. The club folded at the end of the 2019 season because of changes to the constitution of such sporting entities and their funding.

Thai League Evolution

Army United were a Premier League team when the Thai football league system was modernised. They were relegated in 1999. They won the second-tier title in 2004-05 and returned to the top level for three seasons. In 2010, the team were promoted, helped by Tatree Sing-Ha's goals. 

A year later, the club abandoned its policy of fielding players serving in the army as the game in Thailand became increasingly professional. The Army Welfare Development was formed and began playing in the Khǒr Royal Cup around the same time. They joined Regional League 2 in 2015 as Royal Thai Army FC to offer an outlet to purely army employees.

A Cup Final and British Coaches

Under Paniphon Kerdyam's stewardship, 'The Gentlemen Ranger' reached the 2012 FA Cup Final, losing to Buriram United. Former Scottish international defender Matt Elliott took charge of team affairs between January and June 2014, before the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and England defender Gary Stevens took over.


Issaro Sritaro replaced Stevens in May 2015, who in turn was replaced by fellow Thai and former team boss Watcharakorn Antakhamphu. His tenure saw the team placed in the final relegation position with three rounds remaining. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's death marked the end of the season. Army United were relegated.

Final Years

The 2017 campaign in the newly rebranded second-tier Thai League 2 (T2) saw another poor run of results, as the club changed head coach twice. Daniel Blanco took over in July 2017 until the end of the season before taking the Krabi job. 

Blanco returned a couple of years later, after former Portugal international midfielder Nascimento and Adul Luekijna had spells in charge. The side finished fifth after Tanakorn Dangthong led the scoring before the club folded.

My visit

Royal Thai Army 1 Bangkok United 1

Saturday 24th April 2010

Thailand Premier League 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c1,200 🎟️ 80 THB (£1.80)

An Unexpected Opportunity

Because of the erupting Icelandic volcano, I was unfortunately detained in Bangkok for a week longer than scheduled. Not wanting to cry over spilt milk, I decided to broaden my football education and wanted to watch a local game.

I had planned to go to the Premier Division match between BEC Tero Sasana and league leaders Chonburi at the Thephasadin Stadium. Unfortunately, the venue was next to the old National Stadium in an area of the city disrupted by violent political clashes involving the military and the red shirt protestors. This led to the game being postponed.

A Confusing Journey 

I had a plan B. After lunch with Steve and the other intrepid stranded traveller, Neil, I found a taxi and set off. My companions gave me the wind-up before I set off. They laughed, saying I’d probably picked a grudge match.

The driver wasn’t sure of my destination, so I gave him a station on the underground where I thought I could walk from. After a chat in broken Thai and English, he showed me his ID card. He was an Army reservist.

He reckoned he knew where the stadium was. I also knew vaguely, as I’d passed it before on my way to Harrow International School, where I help co-ordinate a cricket tournament each November.

My man was spot on, and he pulled into a service station just short of the stadium off the expressway a full hour before kick-off. I decided to stock up on water and snacks at the 7-Eleven. I wasn't sure if I could buy refreshments at the stadium. I spotted a local in a Bangkok United shirt who, luckily, spoke a little English, and he directed me to the ground.

Arriving at the Stadium

Five minutes later, I entered the sports campus. The guard seemed very friendly, which was encouraging. I knew the stadium had a track around the pitch. One side had a roof, so I chose that stand. Basic cafes that also served beer were available.

Outside, both clubs had souvenir stalls, but I resisted. I went inside, and I paid 80 baht (just short of £2) for a seat in the Main Stand. Courteous guards removed the top of my bottle of water. I found I was in the home fans section. A VIP area separated us from the away fans further up the touchline.

Family Atmosphere

School children were opposite on the far open side. I wanted to get in there at some point to take photos and appear on live TV coverage while speaking to my mates on my mobile, while they looked on from home. The fans were very enthusiastic, making loud noises with drums, hooters, and the plastic sticks which are found at games. 

Their support never abated. The crowd was mainly aged 14 to 30. They were certainly more aesthetic than my usual mates at a game. A fan led the “Tra Kong Chak”, as the Army is known, with a megaphone, and nearly everyone joined in. If only I knew what they were chanting so I could have.

The Match

The game was very entertaining, assisted by a good ref who worked well with his assistants. The Army was at the bottom of the league. They had the better of the play, and went ahead. I was really getting into it by now, and I was even more enthusiastic about finding beer for 30 baht (80p) at half-time.

Even better, I could take one back upstairs for the second half. It was most welcome. It was thirsty work just watching. I noticed that the sub has to go to the fourth official and show his official TPL ID to sanction a change.

United grabbed an equaliser about ten minutes from time. It was like anywhere in the world. A second or so of silence. Then the away fans made a racket. The total gate probably crept over 1,000. Around 300 cheered for the visitors.

I felt sad for my newfound friends who had been most welcoming with their warm smiles. Full time saw something I approved of. The teams went across to the opposing supporters and bowed, known as a wai in Thailand.

It is a traditional greeting like shaking hands in Western culture. In return, the opposing fans applauded the players. Very civilised and far nicer than the abuse they would suffer elsewhere. It IS a game after all.

At full time, I went back to a bar with a TV showing the last half hour of the Man Utd v Tottenham match and got stuck into some more beers. Some locals tried to chat, but expressions and body language spoke louder than words.

A video from my visit

Many more Thai football videos on Rob’s Roving Sports Report

Souvenirs

I went back to the club shop and bought an Army team shirt for 450 baht, which was less than a tenner! It was excellent quality. I finished my beer and caught a taxi back to Steve’s house in Minburi.

The games kick off in Thailand at a perfect time. I was home twenty minutes into the 3pm kick-offs from the UK, with each game shown live on different channels. Anyone visiting the Land of Smiles is recommended to watch a local game. You will see 100% commitment, and receive excellent value for money.

You will generally get cheap food and beer, and you can buy a team shirt, which shows just how much all clubs in the Western world were ripping off genuine fans. You will also get a warm welcome, and your support will be appreciated. I loved my first ever experience.

A Further Visit

To read about my confusing later visit to watch Royal Thai Army FC in 2016, click here.