BG Pathum United FC
Ground: BG Stadium
Capacity: 15,114
Club Founded: 1979
League: Thai League 1 (current level)
BG Pathum United are one of Thailand’s modern football success stories, rising from humble beginnings to regularly pushing for domestic honours. Based just north of Bangkok, the club has built a reputation for ambition, strong support, and attractive football.
Early History
Bangkok Glass
The club can trace its roots to 1979, when it was formed as a team for the employees of the Bangkok Glass Factory, who played internal matches between themselves. Ten years later, they started playing competitions against other industrial companies near their factory in Pathum Thani.
Going forward, another decade, and a more structured football club was developed. The following year, Glass competed in the Ngor Cup, progressing to the King's Cup twelve months later. Promotion was then secured to play in the Khǒr Royal Cup
Krung Thai Bank FC
Krung Thai Bank FC was founded in 1977 to become a staple of the top division of Thai football. They won the Thai Premier League (TPL) twice and lifted the League Cup once. The team played its home matches at Chulalongkorn University Stadium.
The club struggled to attract spectators to their games despite qualifying for attractive AFC competition fixtures. In 2009, Bangkok Glass bought Krung Thai Bank FC's license to take its place in the TPL, initially playing home games at Queen Sirikit's 60th Anniversary Stadium in the Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani.
Leo Stadium
The club developed its Leo Stadium, later to become BG Stadium, inside the grounds of Bangkok Glass Public Company Limited. Hans Emser took the renamed side to third place in the TPL before being replaced by former Thai international player Surachai Jaturapattarapong. Future Brazil national team head coach Carlos Roberto de Carvalho then took charge.
Glass were not to be denied the following year, lifting the trophy with a 1-0 win against Chonburi at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok thanks to a Lazarus Kaimbi goal. Ricardo Rodríguez took control of the team for the 2015 season, before Anurak Srikerd had a third spell as head coach, before he was replaced by Aurelio Vidmar in August 2017.
Ariel Rodríguez top-scored before the Australian coach was replaced by a returning Surachai. Jhasmani Campos and Surachat Sareepim scored goals before the appointment of new head coach Josep Ferré. Australian Matt Smith captained the team with Anurak returning once again. He couldn't work his magic, as BGPU were relegated.
BG Pathum United
Dusit Chalermsan was put in charge of the team at the start of a new era for the 2019 season. The club changed its name to BG Pathum United and adopted blue and white as its club colours, replacing the previous green and white. The artificial pitch was replaced by turf.
Forwards Barros Tardeli and Surachat Sareepim helped the Rabbits win the Thai League 2 title to secure promotion. The creativity of Sumanya Purisai set up Victor Cardozo to fire United to the Thai League title in 2020-21, completing a huge turnaround.
Recent Years
Japanese coach Makoto Teguramori took the side to the runners-up place the following season, with Diogo top scoring alongside Teerasil Dangda. BGPU were beaten in the final of the League Cup by Buriram United in 2022-23 under head coach Thongchai Sukkoki before Teguramori returned for a second spell in charge.
The League Cup was won 1-0 against Muangthong United, with Teerasil scoring the winner. The Japanese coach was dismissed. Surachai had another short tenure before future Thai national team coach Anthony Hudson transformed the team's form. Meanwhile, the new East Stand was opened as BG Stadium was no longer three-sided.
Remarkably, the club dispensed with the Englishman's services before the end of the season, with Supachai Komsilp being named as his replacement. Bangkok United moved into the BG Stadium as tenants in the 2025-26 season, which also saw former Thailand national team coach Matsada Ishii appointed in charge of the team.
My First Visit
Stadium Visit - Wednesday 27th March 2013
Football Day
It was a murderously warm day with even the locals commenting on the heat, and I was starting to flag. I made sure I grabbed some water along the way.
Getting to Know the Area
My original plan was to pop into North Bangkok University to see where the Regional League team North Bangkok University FC played, but that would have to wait for another day.
My newest taxi driver headed along the Rangsit Nakhon Nayok road and was confident of where he was going, so I wasn't going to stop him. My instruction to head for the well-known Dream World theme park had come up trumps. Before he turned off, we saw Leo Stadium, so I ushered him in.
Construction Time
My newest taxi driver headed along the Rangsit Nakhon Nayok road and was confident of where he was going, so I wasn't going to stop him. My instruction to head for the well-known Dream World theme park had come up trumps. Before he turned off, we saw Leo Stadium, so I ushered him in.
Construction Time
I had been told in advance by my Thai-based Twitter pals that Leo Stadium was having a new Main Stand built, and they were bang on. All kinds of construction work that would have UK-based health and safety officers having perpetual nightmares were being carried out. The taxi dropped me near the workers.
The gates to the stadium were open because of the work, so I soon found myself climbing the steps onto the large away fans' terrace. To the right was the new two-tiered seated stand, which was rapidly taking shape.
At the far end stood a three-tier open terraced home end. There was nothing down the far touchline. There looked to be room to construct a stand in the future if required. A new control room was being constructed near the Main Stand. The pitch was an artificial surface.
I continued my look around and saw the new ticket booth taking shape, and then a practice pitch between the home end and the main road by another new building. This was to be the club offices and superstore. Glass had very much the look of a club moving forward.
I crossed the road using the footbridge and hailed another taxi to take me to the air-conditioned Future Park shopping mall by the Don Muang intersection. The many renovated boats converted into restaurants along the khlong looked very tempting.
I was glad to sit down and have some cold drinks and ice cream before heading to the Thupatemee Stadium for the first of two games that evening.
The gates to the stadium were open because of the work, so I soon found myself climbing the steps onto the large away fans' terrace. To the right was the new two-tiered seated stand, which was rapidly taking shape.
Impressive Stadium
I continued my look around and saw the new ticket booth taking shape, and then a practice pitch between the home end and the main road by another new building. This was to be the club offices and superstore. Glass had very much the look of a club moving forward.
I was glad to sit down and have some cold drinks and ice cream before heading to the Thupatemee Stadium for the first of two games that evening.
My First Home Game
Bangkok Glass 0 Navy FC 1
Bangkok Glass 0 Navy FC 1
Thai League 1 - Sunday 17th June 2018
👨👨👧👧 3,247 🎟️ 110 THB (£2.50)
Isan and Bangkok Tour
Isan and Bangkok Tour
Leo Stadium had been on my bucket list to see a game ever since I first clapped eyes on it eight years earlier. A two-week break in Bangkok and Isaan in the English summer offered me the opportunity I’d been waiting for.
It was the first time that I'd visited the Land of Smiles without any cricket commitments, allowing me to plan everything around football, socialising, and sightseeing. The World Cup in Russia was underway, providing evening entertainment, and the Thai League season ran from February to November, offering plenty of fixture opportunities.
Special Sunday
Special Sunday
I’d flown back to Bangkok from Buriram that morning, where I'd attended the Buriram United v Chainat Hornbill match. I caught up with my friends Steve and Sean on my return as we headed to the League 3 game between Kasem Bundit University and Trat in Minburi, at the closest venue to my hosts’ home.
While I’d enjoyed the first course of football action, my mind was on how easy we could possibly get to Leo Stadium for the mains. I’d done lots of calculations online in the weeks leading up to my departure and was pretty sure that it could be done as long as I could find a willing taxi driver.
Double Awaits
While I’d enjoyed the first course of football action, my mind was on how easy we could possibly get to Leo Stadium for the mains. I’d done lots of calculations online in the weeks leading up to my departure and was pretty sure that it could be done as long as I could find a willing taxi driver.
Double Awaits
Sean decided to go with me, but Steve was working the following morning and didn’t fancy it. After a couple of drivers declined while walking through the campus, we struck lucky on the main Thanon Rom Klao.
The smiling driver even dropped Steve near his house before continuing along Ram Inthra. I knew that we needed to take the toll road north, somewhere near Fashion Island Mall, and Sean was also confident of the route. My phone was offline, and only kicked in sporadically on the Google Maps app.
Fun on the Road
The smiling driver even dropped Steve near his house before continuing along Ram Inthra. I knew that we needed to take the toll road north, somewhere near Fashion Island Mall, and Sean was also confident of the route. My phone was offline, and only kicked in sporadically on the Google Maps app.
Fun on the Road
We missed the turning for Motorway 9, not that it worried me at the time, because Sean appeared pretty relaxed. I didn’t realise until later that he was looking at his phone and totally missed seeing the turnoff! When we got to the Chalong Rat Expressway, I knew that we definitely needed to head north.
This toll road took us at great speed and joined up with the required motorway after a few miles. The traffic wasn’t bad, and we were making good progress. Knowing where to turn off was a concern for me.
There at Last
This toll road took us at great speed and joined up with the required motorway after a few miles. The traffic wasn’t bad, and we were making good progress. Knowing where to turn off was a concern for me.
There at Last
We reached the Thanon Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok road. Our driver knew exactly where to turn off. We looked as though we would reach the Leo Stadium in good time for the start. I even had hopes of time for a swift beer before kickoff. However, this was where we ran into heavy traffic for the final couple of miles from our destination.
Our driver did his best as he manoeuvred us between the lanes. Surely not everyone was heading to the match. We alighted a few hundred metres short and then crossed the pedestrian bridge and walked up to the stadium.
Getting Sorted Pre-Match
Our driver did his best as he manoeuvred us between the lanes. Surely not everyone was heading to the match. We alighted a few hundred metres short and then crossed the pedestrian bridge and walked up to the stadium.
Getting Sorted Pre-Match
By now, it was getting close to the 7pm start time. I wanted to go high up behind the goal, but we ended up with tickets downstairs, as I accepted what I had been offered. Fold-out programmes were free. The King’s Anthem was being played as we approached the turnstiles, so we stood to attention.
The security checks were very stringent before we headed up to our area. The view was decent in the raised section, but would have been much better if fans hadn't stood against the front railings. It blocked our view of the near goal, like at many other Thai venues. Why they stand there is anyone's guess.
Relegation Battle
The security checks were very stringent before we headed up to our area. The view was decent in the raised section, but would have been much better if fans hadn't stood against the front railings. It blocked our view of the near goal, like at many other Thai venues. Why they stand there is anyone's guess.
Relegation Battle
Both sides came into the game in relegation trouble, with Navy a couple of places below Glass. Sean wanted either a draw or a Navy win to help his side, Police-Tero, who were also battling at the wrong end of the table.
We were in the area for the more vocal home fans, with the bunny girls at the front doing their dance moves. A young man and woman stood on raised platforms just behind them, leading the crowd as they barked out the chants through megaphones.
Thai Copycats
We were in the area for the more vocal home fans, with the bunny girls at the front doing their dance moves. A young man and woman stood on raised platforms just behind them, leading the crowd as they barked out the chants through megaphones.
Thai Copycats
Thais had tried to replicate much of the fan culture from abroad, mainly in Europe. Only they don't have the same edge. Once again, there was a decent atmosphere, but it all seemed a little bit too contrived. The away fans from Sattahip at the far end also played their part and seemed to have a band with them.
The first thing that grabbed my attention once the game commenced was that an extra official was placed behind each goal, as in UEFA competitions. Glass started the game well but lacked penetration in the area after some fine build-up play.
The Action
The first thing that grabbed my attention once the game commenced was that an extra official was placed behind each goal, as in UEFA competitions. Glass started the game well but lacked penetration in the area after some fine build-up play.
The Action
Toti saw a weak header easily gathered in the early stages by Navy keeper, Intharat Apinyakool. Anon Amornlertsak, on loan to Glass from Buriram United, was played in, but Intharat gathered after he lost control.
Shortly after, Surachat Sareepim produced a good save out of the visiting custodian from his header. Toti tried his luck from outside the box, but once again, the Navy man was equal to it. A long-range effort from full-back Chalermsak Aukkee saw Intharat once again frustrate Glass.
Navy countered with a fine pass finding Chusana Numkanitsorn, who beat his man and cut inside before firing his shot across the face of the home goal. Back at the other end, Chalermsak saw his cross deceive Intharat and come back off the face of the crossbar.
Surachat was teed up at the far post but couldn’t get his header on target while under pressure, as the host's frustrations grew just before the teams headed to the tunnel in the corner near us for the half-time break.
Half-Time Beer
Shortly after, Surachat Sareepim produced a good save out of the visiting custodian from his header. Toti tried his luck from outside the box, but once again, the Navy man was equal to it. A long-range effort from full-back Chalermsak Aukkee saw Intharat once again frustrate Glass.
Navy countered with a fine pass finding Chusana Numkanitsorn, who beat his man and cut inside before firing his shot across the face of the home goal. Back at the other end, Chalermsak saw his cross deceive Intharat and come back off the face of the crossbar.
Surachat was teed up at the far post but couldn’t get his header on target while under pressure, as the host's frustrations grew just before the teams headed to the tunnel in the corner near us for the half-time break.
Half-Time Beer
I went downstairs and grabbed a beer for myself and water for Sean. Glass employed a voucher system used in Europe at many venues, but they helpfully sold them in small enough denominations so that fans were not fleeced. The options were fairly priced, too.
Glass was soon back on the offensive following the restart, with Peerapong Pichitchotirat firing a weak volley through a crowd of players that was easily saved. Surachat missed a gilt-edged chance at the near post when he failed to connect properly with a low cross on fifty-six minutes.
In the Navy
Glass was soon back on the offensive following the restart, with Peerapong Pichitchotirat firing a weak volley through a crowd of players that was easily saved. Surachat missed a gilt-edged chance at the near post when he failed to connect properly with a low cross on fifty-six minutes.
In the Navy
Glass paid the penalty for the wastefulness as Navy went straight up the other end to take the lead. Ivorian forward Amadou Ouattara crossed low from the left. The ball was dummied and reached Chusana Numkanitsorn, who swept the ball home past Narit Taweekul from the edge of the box.
The visiting supporters went berserk as the ball went in just in front of where they were congregated. The Glass fans looked dismayed but not totally surprised. The goal came against the run of play, but Navy had earned its good fortune.
Lucky Sailors
The visiting supporters went berserk as the ball went in just in front of where they were congregated. The Glass fans looked dismayed but not totally surprised. The goal came against the run of play, but Navy had earned its good fortune.
Lucky Sailors
The Rabbits replied with an effort from Ariel Rodríguez that was blocked after he’d been well set up by Surachat. Peerapong’s free-kick was just off target as Glass tried desperately to equalise.
Navy had a bit of luck when defender Athibordee Atirat, on loan from Port, tried to head clear while under pressure, only to see the ball loop and hit the top of the bar before Intharat grabbed the ball to avert any further danger.
Relegation Looms
Navy had a bit of luck when defender Athibordee Atirat, on loan from Port, tried to head clear while under pressure, only to see the ball loop and hit the top of the bar before Intharat grabbed the ball to avert any further danger.
Relegation Looms
It wasn’t going to be Glass’s night. Another couple of half-chances came and went before Piyachanok Darit was shown a second yellow card and sent to the stands in stoppage time to add salt to the wounds. It would be a result that would go some way to seeing Glass relegated at the end of the season.
At full-time, I went up to the Main Stand and managed to get access to the top deck to take some photos, as the Glass players went across to show their appreciation to the home fans, who in turn sang the club song.
Taxi Frustration
At full-time, I went up to the Main Stand and managed to get access to the top deck to take some photos, as the Glass players went across to show their appreciation to the home fans, who in turn sang the club song.
Taxi Frustration
We made our way out past a practice pitch, the club headquarters, and a terrific bar and restaurant that was showing football on TV. It also had a live band performing. Clubs with purpose-built football stadiums were certainly getting it right in the Land of Smiles.
Commandeering a taxi was tricky work out on the main road. I was becoming as frustrated as the Glass team. We waited patiently, only for someone to pass us on the footpath at the last minute and flag down the next cab. A lesson in survival of the fittest, I would learn in future years as a Thai resident.
Heading to Minburi
Commandeering a taxi was tricky work out on the main road. I was becoming as frustrated as the Glass team. We waited patiently, only for someone to pass us on the footpath at the last minute and flag down the next cab. A lesson in survival of the fittest, I would learn in future years as a Thai resident.
Heading to Minburi
There was certainly no etiquette or good manners in following a queue of who was waiting first. I must admit to becoming a little tetchy as I walked a good thirty metres up the road to beat off any challengers.
Eventually, we managed to get a cab, and the driver was willing to go to Minburi, around twenty miles away. The journey back was far quicker, and before long, we were settled in a good seat with a TV view at the Sudtong Club.
World Cup Fever
Eventually, we managed to get a cab, and the driver was willing to go to Minburi, around twenty miles away. The journey back was far quicker, and before long, we were settled in a good seat with a TV view at the Sudtong Club.
World Cup Fever
This was one of my favourite Bangkok establishments, and we were in time for kick-off as Germany took on Mexico in the World Cup. Beers and snacks were ordered as we settled down for our third match of the day. The bar had diners, drinkers, and those watching the live musical duo playing their own stuff.
The weather was at a perfect temperature. All in all, I would just about term it as paradise. The night finished off just about perfectly as Mexico played superbly to beat the Germans despite being under pressure at times. Indeed, they should have won by a greater margin. I was not alone in wanting the men in green to win.
German Misery
The weather was at a perfect temperature. All in all, I would just about term it as paradise. The night finished off just about perfectly as Mexico played superbly to beat the Germans despite being under pressure at times. Indeed, they should have won by a greater margin. I was not alone in wanting the men in green to win.
German Misery
At full time, a local congratulated me, thinking that I was Mexican. I explained to the chap who spoke good English why I celebrated their win. He had learned something that night. It was past midnight when I eventually got to bed for a well-earned sleep. If only all football days were like this one!
Further Viewing
If you have enjoyed reading this article, you might wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles, including my two-week tour of Isan and Bangkok from 2018.
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