Buriram United

Ground: Chang Arena

Capacity: 32,600

Club Founded: 2011

League: Thai League 1 (current level)

Buriram United are Thailand’s most successful modern football club, dominating the domestic game with multiple league titles and cup successes. The Thunder Castle team has a reputation for passionate support, ambitious ownership, and regular appearances in Asian competition.

Year of Foundation Debate

This page is dedicated to the history of Buriram United, whenever you feel that begins, along with my first visit to see them in action. A page is dedicated to my match visits from 2019 to 2026, while the Chang Arena has its own space with its background and its use as a neutral venue.

At the head of this page, I have stated that Buriram United FC was founded in 2012. Some disagree, claiming it was 2010 or the year after, while in some places, 1970 is the year. Let me explain, so that you can decide.

Provincial Electricity Authority FC

PEA FC, for short, was formed in 1970. They played friendly and cup football before the organisation of a national league. By 1998, the Thai League had two divisions. PEA won the Kor Royal Cup as a third-level side and were promoted. This was followed up with promotion in 2002-03 while playing at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi. 

Their top-flight spell lasted just one year. However, the club won promotion to the Thai Premier League (TPL) the following season, shocking everyone as Supakit Jinajai's goals helped them finish runners-up, qualifying for the AFC Champions League.

PEA were crowned Thai league champions in 2008 after relocating north to the Ayutthaya Province Central Stadium. Ronnachai Rangsiyo scored goals under head coach Prapol Pongpanich, who was later replaced by Thongsuk Sampahungsith.

Buriram PEA

At the end of the 2009 season, PEA was bought by Isaan politician Newin Chidchob, who moved the club to his hometown after failed attempts to purchase TOT SC and Thai Royal Army FC, renaming them Buriram PEA FC, to the anger of the Ayutthaya fan base. Khao Kradong Stadium became the club's home ground.

At the same time, Chidchob’s wife, Mrs Karuna Chidchob, formed her own club, Buriram FC, which was accepted into the third-tier Regional League North Eastern Region. They played their matches at Buriram Rajabhat University Stadium.

Buriram PEA meanwhile sacked Thongsuk during the 2010 season to be replaced by Thanadech Fuprasert, who in turn departed after six months for Attaphol Buspakom to take over as the team finished in second place, as well as reaching the League Cup final.

Buriram United

By June of the 2011 campaign, the club had moved into their new purpose-built stadium. The New I-Mobile Stadium was nicknamed The Thunder Castle, as the club began to make a name for itself in its new location. 

United swept to the league title by sixteen points with Cameroon forward Frank Ohandza leading the scoring charts as crowds flocked to the new stadium in their thousands. The team would go on to add the two domestic cups, crowning a remarkable season. Muangthong United were defeated in the FA Cup final in Bangkok’s Suphachalasai Stadium. 

Thai Port were seen off in the League Cup final. Meanwhile, city rivals Buriram FC won Thailand Division 1 to join PEA Buriram in the top flight.

Conflict of Interest

Both clubs had the obvious close family links, but also allowed players to be loaned to one another, raising more than a few eyebrows. Newin bought Buriram FC from his wife and sold its rights to Songkhla FC, who decided to rename the club Wuachon United FC while keeping their own entity, so that the city then had clubs in the top two divisions.

Newin reasoned it was to develop football in the southern city, as it was the only region in Thailand without a top-flight club. In 2013, Songkhla FC and Wuachon United FC merged to form Songkhla United FC.

Back in Isan, the 2012 season saw Attaphol's team bringing in more silverware. Two goals from Goran Jerković were enough to defeat Army United 2-1 in the FA Cup Final. In the League Cup Final, Ratchaburi were hammered 4-1.

A Rare Disappointment

The league season was somewhat of a disappointment before Scott Cooper was appointed, leading the team to their third league title. Bangkok Glass were defeated in the FA Cup final at Thammasat Stadium, while Ratchaburi were beaten as the League Cup was retained, to complete a second treble. 

Spanish striker Carmelo González ended the season as the league's top scorer, with the Filipino Javier Patiño also weighing in as Theeraton Bunmathan picked up the plaudits for his defensive play. Alejandro Menéndez took over as head coach for the 2014 campaign. 

The team boss took the hit for the failure in the AFC Champions League as Božidar Bandović was appointed early in the season. In turn, the new man lasted just a couple of months before being replaced by Alexandre Gama. Many felt that the appointments were in name only, as Newin was said to have a say in team matters and was often seen on the bench. 

Domestic Treble

United retained the league title but relinquished their cup crowns. BEC Tero Sasana defeated them in the League Cup final, in a season in which Jakkaphan Kaewprom and Suchao Nuchnum impressed. Gama was left in charge for 2015, with the move paying off as another treble was delivered. 

The Brazilian forward duo of Diogo and Gilberto Macena, being set up regularly by Teerathon, was too much for opposing defences. Rivals SCG Muangthong United were beaten 3-1 in the FA Cup final, with Sisaket being defeated in the League Cup final. 

The 2016 season saw Gama remarkably sacked and replaced by the Iranian coach, Afshin Ghotbi. He lasted just a few months before Ranko Popović was appointed in his place. The league campaign finished with a fourth-place spot. Andrés Túñez finished as the team's top scorer.

United shared the League Cup final, after the season was abruptly ended owing to the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Bandović returned midway through the 2017 campaign. The Montenegrin took the club to their sixth league title as Jajá Coelho smashed in the goals, aided by Diogo. 

The same season saw the club enter a ‘B’ team made up of under-23 players into the extended Thai League 4 Northeast. The Thai League title was retained as Diogo topped the scoring charts. Chiangrai United defeated Buriram at Supachalasai Stadium in the FA Cup final, while Prachuap beat them on penalties in the League Cup final.

Gama returned as head coach for the 2020-21 season before he was replaced by Japanese coach Masatada Ishii. He took the team to the league title the following campaign, backed up by lifting the League Cup 4-0 against PT Prachuap at BG Stadium, with goals from Jonathan Bolingi, who netted twice, as well as Peeradon Chamratsamee and Suphanat Mueanta.

Domestic Dominance

The treble was completed with a 1-0 extra-time victory against Nakhonratchasima in the final of the FA Cup, with Bolingi scoring the winner at Thammasat Stadium. The season saw Supachai Chaided lead the scoring charts. A second successive treble followed in 2022-23.

Bangkok United were defeated 2-0 in the FA Cup final, with BG Pathum United beaten by the same score in the League Cup final. The league title was won by twelve points. Coach Ishii was offered the job of the coach of the Thai national team by Newin and was replaced by Arthur Papas in August 2023.

He, in turn, was replaced by former Brazilian World Cup winner Jorginho Campos as the team marched to another league title at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Osmar Loss succeeded him, with keeper Neil Etheridge adding to the quality of Guilherme Bissoli and Lucas Crispim at the club.

It was little surprise that the team retained the league title. Muangthong United were defeated in the FA Cup final. Lamphun Warriors were the beaten finalists in the League Cup. The ASAEN Shoppee Club Championship was won after a victory against Cong An Hanoi. In the AFC Champions League Elite, the team lost in the quarter-final against Al-Ahli.

Loss was replaced by Mark Jackson. His side retained the league title, making it ten, eleven or twelve titles, depending on personal opinion. The FA Cup was won again in extra time against PT Prachuap, and the ASAEN championship remained in Buriram after victory against Selangor.

My First Visit

Buriram United 0 Chainat Hornbill 1

Thai League 1 - Saturday 16th June 2018

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 7,289 🎟️ 60 THB (£1.40)

Welcome to Buriram

I’d wanted to get to Buriram to watch a game ever since I’d started attending Thai matches eight years earlier. Somehow, the fixtures always transpired against me as I was usually busy with cricket business. On this occasion, I was in Thailand purely for travel, socialising, and football.

It was part of a two-week tour, predominantly of Isan, but starting and ending in Bangkok, where I would also spend a couple of days in the middle, restocking with clean clothes and catching some football. This was also my ideal opportunity to get to a game and catch up with Gary, my old pal from back home, who lived locally. 

We’d caught up briefly on the previous evening after I arrived on the train for Surin, before meeting for a late breakfast on a glorious Saturday morning. He was the ideal tour guide as we headed to the stadium to pick up my match ticket before doing some sightseeing.

Saturday Sightseeing

The view over the surrounding area and the Chang Arena was fantastic from Khao Kradong Forest Park. After a look around a couple of shopping malls, we enjoyed beers, firstly at Up2you Bar. This was a nice modern place with an expat trade, and on the way to the Best Western Royal Hotel.

We tried to work out where a bus would leave from and at what time to take me to Buriram Airport the following morning. Without any luck in that regard, we went on to Paddy's Irish Bar, a fine place with friendly punters and staff and a lovely view over the road to the moat, which was gradually being landscaped. It looked stunning, especially after a couple of Archas beers.

Time was getting on, so we headed to the excellent Muang Pizza for a meal. I went overboard, going for a starter as well as a main course. I was ready to burst as we set off towards the stadium. We were early, which was handy in securing a good parking place.

Pre-Match

We headed to an outdoor area a few minutes away, with plenty of food and beer stalls as well as attractions for kids. Gary thought that it opened most evenings. The bars were showing different Thai League games that were already underway. Our bar of choice had the Police Tero against Chiang Rai United game, which our mutual friends Sean and Tracy were at.

The rain started to come down as the stallholders tried to put covers over their punters. In all honesty, the rain was quite refreshing. However, as kick-off time approached, it became much heavier. We headed across to our entrance. My ticket was reduced in price.

Whether this was because Gary bought it as a season ticket holder, we weren’t too sure, but it represented excellent value. We were ushered around to the covered side on arrival. They weren’t opening our area behind the goal. This was even better. Unbelievably, despite meeting at 11am, we still missed the first few seconds of an 8pm kick-off!

Build-Up

The Chang Arena somehow reminded me of Stamford Bridge with its steep sides close to the pitch. The attendance was poor and even inflated from the official figure. No doubt, a late Saturday kick-off against what many would consider to be unattractive opponents, a poor weather forecast, and Brazil playing in the World Cup on TV at the same time were factors.

The noise made by fans was still loud, despite the lack of numbers. I wondered if it was being artificially amplified. Gary told me that because they were paid to be there by the club, they had to give it their all. Buriram were poised to go top of the table with a win, while Hornbill were perched in mid-table before the game.

I expected a comfortable home win, especially as the hosts piled on the early pressure. Diogo came close to breaking the deadlock after fifteen minutes when his curling free kick from wide just outside the box was superbly tipped over by Chainat goalkeeper Teerath Nakchamnarn.

The Action

Seven minutes later, Buriram broke from defending a corner. Supachok Sarachat played in Diogo, who was clean through. However, his touch as he approached the box was just too heavy and was met with a great diving stop by Teerath. Chainat were playing some nice build-up play of their own without too much penetration.

Once again, the hosts broke clear, with Brazilian Osvaldo breaking clear at great speed, but failing to hit the target as the keeper advanced on twenty-three minutes. I was really enjoying the game as a neutral, but Gary was going through all the agonies of a partisan fan. 

This was even more so when the chances dried up, and the visitors looked more than capable of snatching something from the game. Brilliant play from Diogo six minutes after the restart should have been rewarded, but Patiño failed to react to the low cross as the chance went begging. 

Pressure Mounts

Korrakot Wiriyaudomsiri put in a good cross, but Osvaldo’s weak header failed to trouble the Chainat custodian. There seemed to be little danger for Buriram with nearly an hour on the clock as Santipap Ratniyom passed square to Jeera Jarernsuk around thirty yards from goal.

However, the Chainat man saw his shot deflect off Sasalak Haiprakhon and beat Siwarak Tedsungnoen in the home goal. Halfway through the second half, the ball bobbled about the Chainat area before Andrés Túñez saw his header turned over by Teerath, who was having a dream evening. 

Two minutes later, Diogo was slid in but saw his shot cannon back off the near post. Chainat countered with Chatchai Koomphaya, seeing his low shot skidding just past the post on the perfect but slick playing surface as the rain continued to fall. 

Shock Result

Some fine skill and a low shot from United’s Sarachat called the Hornbill goalie into action once more as time began to run out for his side. Good defending at the near post kept out Yoo Jun-soo's effort for Buriram before a brilliant turn gave Osvaldo a clear shooting opportunity, which he blazed high and wide, much to the frustration of coach Bandović and owner Newin.

The fifty or so visiting supporters celebrated at full-time as we headed back for another look in the club shop that we’d visited earlier in the day in search of a programme. United usually issued, but hadn’t bothered on this occasion.

To round off the day, we went to the excellent Lively Market complex, which had lots of bars and restaurants for the locals to enjoy. The nightcap was just the tonic to round off a really top day out in good company.

I slept very easily before getting a taxi to the airport the following morning. Also waiting for the flight back to Bangkok were Chainat’s German coach, Dennis Amato, and his assistant, with whom I enjoyed a pleasant word. They were happy blokes!