Assumption United

Assumption United FC

Ground: Wongprachanukul Stadium

Capacity: 1,200

Club Founded: 2011

League: Thai League 3 West (current level)

Assumption United FC is a Thai football club with strong links to youth development and education, providing a pathway for young players to progress through the ranks. Based in Bangkok, the club has built a reputation for nurturing talent while competing in the Thai football league system.

Assumption United - A Brief History

The club that represents the private Catholic school in Thonburi, across the river from Bangkok, saw its professional side established in 2011 following Assumption Thonburi School reaching the 2010 final of the Khǒr Royal Cup, a forerunner of the Thailand Amateur League. 

Assumption lost 3-1 to Goblex Realty Staff Association, a club that would eventually morph into Nonthaburi United FC. Reaching the final was enough to gain a place in the third-tier Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Region for the 'Magnate‘ 

Under the name of Assumption Thonburi-The PAC, the team played home games at the PAC Sport Centre Stadium in Bang Khun Thian. They moved to their Thonburi headquarters as Assumption Thonburi FC, before the club was renamed Assumption United in 2014.

The following season, the club relocated to the Thunder Dome, home of Muangthong United. Yodsak Chaowana top-scored, with Narongrit Khuntip in charge of the team. After three years, Assumption returned to Thonburi as a Thai League 4 West club after league restructuring.

Chalermsak Ruaygrabue scored regularly, followed by the trio of Akira Niiho, Jakkrit Senkaew and Surawut Sutthisak under team boss Thorn Sourapoom. For the 2020-21 campaign, Assumption played in the Thai League 3 West. Natthasan Pakkarano starred as his side continued without any threat of promotion or relegation.

Pherawut Inkhow made an impact in 2024-25 for the team under head coach Narongrit.

My visit

Assumption United 1 PTU Pathumthani 1 

Thai League 3 West - Sunday 16th October 2022

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 121 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)

Unknown Pleasures

There’s nothing I enjoy more than a journey navigating local public transport and venturing somewhere new. Waking up a little seedy after a thirsty Saturday night, I stuck with my original plan rather than the temptation of lying about and heading to a later game.

It was an adventure, alright, but quite a simple one in the end. A bus to NIDA at Bangkapi, followed by jumping on the number 60 all the way to Democracy Monument, was straightforward enough and a cracking value for a total of 18 Baht. It was a long but interesting journey with the windows down on a dull and relatively cool day.

An Interesting Journey

I went for the slob’s option of a McDonald's on alighting to dull the cravings that usually occur after alcohol. I did go for the value menu to ease the guilt slightly. A nice little walk followed, as I bought what turned out to be an unsuccessful lottery ticket, on the way to the bus stop opposite the Supreme Court by Sanam Luang. 

Within minutes, the 91 service arrived, with the conductor charging 23 Baht for the journey, leaving me scratching my head once more at how the inconsistent fares are worked out. The final ride took less time than I anticipated, meaning an early arrival at the Terminus, so I couldn’t miss it. Indeed, the clippie had to give me a nudge to let me know we had arrived.

Excellent Facilities

Wandering down Soi 4, Assumption, I could hear cheering. Surely it wasn’t an early kick-off? No, it was a school swimming gala taking place at what seemed to be a college laden with excellent facilities. I found the stadium without any issues and took a few shots down the near side. I was ushered along by security, who pointed towards the official entrance. 

The steep-sided raised stand offered a cracking view after I bought my ticket. The lady steward asked who I was supporting, pointed to the back of the stand, and told me to go along to the far end when I replied, “Assumption”. This area had a couple of steps looking down on a full-sized artificial pitch.

Polite Students

Joining the students and parents, we were treated to some pre-match music by Stone Metal Fire and the PA man reading out the teams. I would guess that the rock band were also students or alumni, as one of the songs that was played was all about cheering for United.

The playing surface looked lush but carried some irregular scarring. I was amused as the Pathumthani line-up all gave their opposing players a gift bag following the King's Anthem. As a friend on Twitter commented, it would be interesting to see a Neil Warnock or Sean Dyche team doing that.

Thai International 

I rather hoped that they would contain stink bombs and pepper sweets from the joke shop, but that’s the child in me. A lovely touch from PTU. Onto the game, which was a slow burner. Former Thai international Kirati Keawsombut, for the hosts, showed skill but blasted over.

The big fella was all commitment but was lucky to see yellow rather than red in my opinion, for a high challenge a little later. Perhaps referee Ratthaket Puttasorn was a man of the cloth and believed in giving a chance?

The visitors took the lead with an own goal when a low cross was converted into his own net by Theekawin Chansri, with a PTU player breathing down his neck. Assumption replied with Kittipong Sura having a shot easily saved by keeper Saravut Konglap.

There was plenty of pretty passing going on without too much goalmouth action. Kittidet Thaeptham decided to do something about it and went close with a swerving shot going just wide from the outside of his right boot.

Dodgy Keeper

Custodian Saravut obviously fancied making me roar with laughter, as he was the centrepiece of the equaliser. Receiving a back pass from Jakkapong Suebsamutr, he dallied trying to dribble.

He was being closed down by Yannatat Wannatong, so when he tried to clear, the ball came off the advancing player and bounced into the net. Just what is it about coaches telling goalies to faff about when they are not up to the task? Not to worry. It continues to bring us traditionalists hilarity.

Decent Entertainment

The one criticism I had of the stand was the apparent lack of facilities regarding toilets and refreshment concessions. It made half-time drag. The second half saw an immediate improvement. The presentations for the swimming began across the far corner, offering an alternative.

The feet of Saravut kept out a Kirati shot at the foot of the near post prior to Nutthikorn Yaprom responding for Pathumtani with a shot that fizzed just wide. The match to and frod and was a decent watch.

Kirati saw his header produce a dramatic, exaggerated save from Saravut. I hope someone caught it on camera for him. Kakana Khamyok was fed a throw for United before progressing and seeing his shot hit the side netting.

Giuberty Silva Neves was introduced as a substitute for the University and saw a dipping free-kick superbly saved by home goalie Kasidej Rungkitwattananukul before action returned to the other end when a fine move put in Kongpop Sroirak, who stood on the ball when poised to shoot.

Swimming Gala Award Ceremony

Facilities Revealed

It was surprising that the floodlights hadn’t been turned on, as it was getting extremely dull. Saravut took plenty of good-natured criticism every time he received a back pass, but then answered his critics with a really good save to push over an effort from Kirati.

At full time, I discovered a small food stand at the far end of the stand, along with a club shop. The toilets were beyond the practice pitch. I headed back to the main road and caught the bus just as it was about to depart.

Exploring the Vicinity

The interesting ride down narrow streets filled with stalls and street food led back to Phetkasem Road, where I chose the direct route home and jumped aboard the MRT at Lak Song station, changing at Tha Phra to go the quick way to Lat Phrao.

The ride followed my car journey from the previous Wednesday, only from above the road I navigated when I accompanied my good lady to a memorial service in Nonthaburi. I eventually found the right bus stop when I alighted before catching a bus to Bangkapi.

A taxi home completed my journey. Yes, it was a bit extravagant, but I wanted to eat and watch the Premier League on TV. It had been a really enjoyable, if long, day. Especially on top of a hangover. Now, where’s next on the agenda?