Bangkok FC
Ground: Bang Mod Stadium
Capacity: 8,000
Club Founded: 1999
League: Thai League 3 (current level)
Bangkok FC are a historic Thai football club with deep roots in the capital, having competed across various levels of the national league system. The club continues to play an important role in developing local talent while striving to make its mark on the Thai football scene.
Bangkok FC Potted History
Bangkok Bravo
Founded in 1999 as Bangkok Bravo, Bangkok FC progressed to national league football in 2007 as members of the second-tier Thai Division 1 League. They were relegated and then cast astray at the bottom of the table in the third tier while playing at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi.
The club changed its name to its current title in 2009, bringing it luck. They won the Bangkok divisional title a year later as well as the playoffs to reach the Thai Division 1 League under head coach Thongsuk Sampahungsith, having returned to the Chalerm Phrakiat Bang Mod Stadium.
Bangkok FC
Downturn Years
The 2021-22 campaign saw a welcome return to Bang Mod as Caíque Ribeiro and Somsak Musikaphan scored goals, while Ratchaphon Namthong led the goalkeeping clean sheets chart as the team reached the playoffs.
Journey to Bang Mod
Back in the second-tier, Samuel Kwaku and Lee Tuck put away the goals. Englishman Tuck would go on to be the leading scorer the following two seasons. It saw the Fire Bulls just miss out on promotion in 2013, with the Swede Olof Hvidén-Watson also contributing to the goal tally.
Several head coaches came and went, including Kiatisuk Senamuang and Reuther Moreira before the arrival of Miloš Joksić. Valci Júnior and Radomir Đalović became regular goalscorers.
Downturn Years
In the retitled Thai League 2 in 2017, Bangkok FC may as well have fitted a turnstile on the head coach’s door. Supachart Manakij, Sarawut Treephan and Uthai Boonmoh all had spells in charge of the team that finished in the relegation places despite Brazilian forward João Paulo scoring regularly.
In the third tier, the club moved into Muangthong United's training venue, Mawin Stadium. Jakarat Tonhongsa was initially in charge of the team before being replaced by Sean Sainsbury. Ibrahim Abou Dicko took over from Poramet Arjvirai as top scorer a year later, as the team played at the Thunder Dome in Muang Thong Thani.
On the Move Again
Another switch to Bangkok University Stadium followed for the side coached by Zarko Djalovic. In Thai League 3 Bangkok, after league restructuring, Bunlue Thongkliang provided the goals for the side overseen by German coach Sebastien Neumann.
The 2021-22 campaign saw a welcome return to Bang Mod as Caíque Ribeiro and Somsak Musikaphan scored goals, while Ratchaphon Namthong led the goalkeeping clean sheets chart as the team reached the playoffs.
Recent Years
Head coach Kissakorn Krasaigoen led the team to a successive playoff slot, which again ended in disappointment. However, in 2022-23, Carlos Lima was added to the squad, putting in outstanding performances alongside Seiya Kojima as the divisional title, the playoffs and then the national title were won, securing promotion to Thai League 2.
The season's highlight was a dramatic 5-4 victory against Buriram United in the FA Cup. Impressive forward Simon Dia was added for the following campaign, half of which was played at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi, while their traditional home stadium was upgraded.
The season's highlight was a dramatic 5-4 victory against Buriram United in the FA Cup. Impressive forward Simon Dia was added for the following campaign, half of which was played at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi, while their traditional home stadium was upgraded.
Colum Curtis was the head coach for a few months in 2025-26 before being replaced by Jose Alves Borgos. The season ended in relegation by the time Jose Alves Borgos tried to rescue the situation.
My visit
Bangkok FC 3 Royal Thai Air Force 0
My visit
Bangkok FC 3 Royal Thai Air Force 0
Thai League 3 Bangkok - Saturday 12th February 2022
👨👨👧👧 250 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)
Journey to Bang Mod
I had enjoyed watching Bangkok FC in an away game earlier in the season at Nonthaburi, so I decided it was about time that I attended a home match. I had intended to head out on Christmas Day, but the heavy traffic meant I wouldn't have arrived in time and settled with Chamchuri United.
This time, I gave myself extra time after a haircut to board the 113 bus all the way to Hua Lamphong station. Some of the journey was spent next to a nice lady who spoke English and wanted to chat and improve her language skills.
Interesting Ride
This time, I gave myself extra time after a haircut to board the 113 bus all the way to Hua Lamphong station. Some of the journey was spent next to a nice lady who spoke English and wanted to chat and improve her language skills.
Interesting Ride
Changing buses to the 75 service at the terminus, the journey took quite some time, passing a great area for food and drink options, nearing my destination, which served the students of nearby King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
However, there was no time on this occasion to check them out. Instead, I bought my ticket at the entrance gates to the grounds and walked past some sports facilities that could have done with an upgrade. I managed to find the entrance to the home fans' section of the covered stand.
Schoolboy Error
However, there was no time on this occasion to check them out. Instead, I bought my ticket at the entrance gates to the grounds and walked past some sports facilities that could have done with an upgrade. I managed to find the entrance to the home fans' section of the covered stand.
Schoolboy Error
The traditional stadium bowl had a separate main grandstand, which was showing signs of age. It had a running track around the bumpy playing surface, which didn’t assist flowing football. It was a bit of a cabbage patch if truth be told.
I had failed to read the warning signs of a couple of stalls outside the gate and home fans grabbing provisions, as there was nothing once inside. While Bangkok had been enjoyable when I saw them, their lowly opponents were anything but when I watched them in a home game. They were not to let me down on a second look.
The Match
I had failed to read the warning signs of a couple of stalls outside the gate and home fans grabbing provisions, as there was nothing once inside. While Bangkok had been enjoyable when I saw them, their lowly opponents were anything but when I watched them in a home game. They were not to let me down on a second look.
The Match
They gave away multiple free kicks for challenges, which, while not dirty, were typical of players who were too slow or not good enough, and it soon got the home fans ticking. Phootran Gingpan was tricky for the hosts from the outset and received his fair share of kicks.
The hosts should have taken the lead when a free kick from Caique Ribeiro was spilt by keeper Wichanon Chomchuen. Pakkaphon Phengsujay, following up, managed to blast over from three yards.
Out of nowhere, the visitors had a break and forced a save out of Ratchaphon Namthong. Aside from that, it was all the home side who couldn’t quite believe that they hadn’t scored. Bunlue Thongkliang saw a shot deflected wide as the frustration grew.
The Air Force rearguard was finally breached halfway through the first period when a corner was nodded on at the near post to allow Pakkaphon to apply the finishing touch at the back stick. They could have doubled their advantage if the linesman hadn’t somehow flagged the scorer offside. It was a shocking decision.
It was 2-0 after thirty-four minutes as a long throw from Banjong Phadungpattanodom was flicked on to Somsak Musikaphan, who smashed home with the aid of a slight deflection. Meanwhile, the patience of referee Niruch Panjontuk was being tested by the visitors. He seemed to signal that he'd had enough of the silly fouls they were committing.
It wasn’t the first time he had told them, but on this occasion, they seemed to listen. The Fire Bulls had another goal chalked out as half-time approached from another dangerous long throw, which seemed as good a tactic as any on such a poor pitch.
The unusual sight of ball girls from a local sports school on duty around the track was a pleasant change. I enjoyed a generally pleasant experience as my Hull City shirt got some curious glances from the locals. It seemed appropriate to wear it with Bangkok playing in black and orange.
Their snazzy white, orange, and black away shirt had me considering whether to part with some cash, but I decided saving it for beer money later was a more prudent plan. After the interval, the pace seemed to ease. Bangkok obviously realised the game was in the bag and did not want to pick up injuries.
Caique continued to show his silky skills running midfield alongside skipper Sakda Koomgun while Air Force retorted with two wild shots that flew harmlessly off target. Chomchuen, who didn’t fill me with much confidence, fumbled another free kick, but his blushes were spared by an offside flag preventing a goal on the follow-up.
To their credit, the Air Force team kept going and had another shocking attempt on goal, but at least they didn’t give up. But my God, they were awful. It was 3-0, six minutes from time, when substitute Moacir scored with a fine individual goal.
At full time, I headed away having seen a far closer contest than it should have been. I had Tweeted at half time that I expected at least 5-0 and the visitors to be down to at least ten men by the end. But what do I know?
The same route and buses got me back to Minburi, ready to pop across the road to meet up with my growing number of Thai friends for an evening of frivolity.
The hosts should have taken the lead when a free kick from Caique Ribeiro was spilt by keeper Wichanon Chomchuen. Pakkaphon Phengsujay, following up, managed to blast over from three yards.
Out of nowhere, the visitors had a break and forced a save out of Ratchaphon Namthong. Aside from that, it was all the home side who couldn’t quite believe that they hadn’t scored. Bunlue Thongkliang saw a shot deflected wide as the frustration grew.
The Air Force rearguard was finally breached halfway through the first period when a corner was nodded on at the near post to allow Pakkaphon to apply the finishing touch at the back stick. They could have doubled their advantage if the linesman hadn’t somehow flagged the scorer offside. It was a shocking decision.
It was 2-0 after thirty-four minutes as a long throw from Banjong Phadungpattanodom was flicked on to Somsak Musikaphan, who smashed home with the aid of a slight deflection. Meanwhile, the patience of referee Niruch Panjontuk was being tested by the visitors. He seemed to signal that he'd had enough of the silly fouls they were committing.
It wasn’t the first time he had told them, but on this occasion, they seemed to listen. The Fire Bulls had another goal chalked out as half-time approached from another dangerous long throw, which seemed as good a tactic as any on such a poor pitch.
The unusual sight of ball girls from a local sports school on duty around the track was a pleasant change. I enjoyed a generally pleasant experience as my Hull City shirt got some curious glances from the locals. It seemed appropriate to wear it with Bangkok playing in black and orange.
Their snazzy white, orange, and black away shirt had me considering whether to part with some cash, but I decided saving it for beer money later was a more prudent plan. After the interval, the pace seemed to ease. Bangkok obviously realised the game was in the bag and did not want to pick up injuries.
Caique continued to show his silky skills running midfield alongside skipper Sakda Koomgun while Air Force retorted with two wild shots that flew harmlessly off target. Chomchuen, who didn’t fill me with much confidence, fumbled another free kick, but his blushes were spared by an offside flag preventing a goal on the follow-up.
To their credit, the Air Force team kept going and had another shocking attempt on goal, but at least they didn’t give up. But my God, they were awful. It was 3-0, six minutes from time, when substitute Moacir scored with a fine individual goal.
At full time, I headed away having seen a far closer contest than it should have been. I had Tweeted at half time that I expected at least 5-0 and the visitors to be down to at least ten men by the end. But what do I know?
The same route and buses got me back to Minburi, ready to pop across the road to meet up with my growing number of Thai friends for an evening of frivolity.
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