Chamchuri United FC
Ground: Chulalongkorn University Stadium
Capacity: 20,000
Club Founded: 2011
League: Thai League 3 Central (current level)
Chamchuri United are one of several clubs in the Thai League under the stewardship of a university, plying their trade in the third-tier.
Club Background
Formed in 2011, Chamchuri United were one of several expansion clubs to play in the third-tier Regional League under head coach Sujja Siriket. It proved excellent timing after the league introduced a rule that all Premier League clubs would have to be PLCs.
BB-CU FC, called Chula-Sinthana FC for a while, began life as the university's club, developing over the years before securing sponsorship in its quest to win promotion back to the Thai Premier League (TPL). Once they moved on, Chulalongkorn University wanted another professional club to represent them.
Chamchuri were placed in the third-tier Thai Regional League Bangkok Region. A series of mid-table finishes ensued before the 'Sam Yan Tigers' ended the 2014 campaign in fourth place. The improvement continued in 2015 as the side finished as league runners-up.
This qualified Chamchuri for the promotion play-offs, where they finished low down in Group A. The Bangkok Region title was secured in 2016. This time, the side lost against Kasetsart in the playoffs, ending any hopes of promotion.
Thai football was restructured a year later, with United placed in the Thai League 3 Lower Region, with coach Siriket still at the helm, as Japanese striker Hiroyuki Sugimoto topped the scoring charts.
Kasitinard Sriphirom banged in the goals the following season before the signing of Isaac Mbengan, who would go on to be a stalwart for the club. It also heralded the appointment of head coach Narat Munin-noppamart.
At the start of the 2024-25 season, Chamchuri resided at Thephasadin Stadium while upgrades were made to their traditional home. Watcharapong Wanthong topped the scoring after a sideways move to Thai League 3 Central Zone, before the arrival of new head coach Worachai Surinsirirat, ahead of the 2025-26 season.
My visits
Stadium Visit - March 2007
The following is my description of my visit as part of a groundhop around Thailand in March/April 2007 that appeared in the Scarborough Athletic fanzine, Abandon Chip
I felt comfortable walking across it and could not believe how natural it felt. Once again, the stadium with a capacity of 20,000 had open seats wrapped around the running track before being broken up by a magnificent main stand.
They supply many clubs with their playing kits at very low prices compared to their European counterparts, so I bought myself a collection of Thailand Premier League shirts for a very reasonable price.
Chamchuri United 1 Siam FC 1
Thai League 3 Bangkok - Saturday 25th December 2021
👨👨👧👧 c100 🎟️ Free
Christmas Day Football
Christmas Day Football
It had been nearly a month since I had moved full-time to Bangkok, and I was getting out and about to football. And what could be better than to head to my first football game on Christmas Day? My original plan when setting out had been Bangkok FC v Kasembundit University in the same competition.
However, things run pretty much as normal on this date. The 113 bus from Minburi got stuck in heavy traffic, meaning a Plan B was required. There was no way I would reach Hua Lamphong, followed by another long ride to Bang Mod in time for kick-off.
Even this option was in doubt, as officially, spectators were not being allowed access. However, Svein, a fellow Bangkok football fan on Twitter, had posted that he’d been to a game at the stadium a few days previously.
A pleasant walk through the campus of Chulalongkorn University led me around to the main side of the stadium, where my temperature was checked, and I was given a little sticker for my shirt to say I was OK. There was no admission fee.
It transpired that I was on the side of the main stand designated for the visiting team's families and subs. Many seats were cordoned off as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still very much in evidence.
I was slightly surprised to hear chatter through the King's Anthem, perhaps a sign of the times and age group in attendance. My first thought was what lovely, vibrant kits both sides were wearing.
A shot was fired straight from the kick-off by Siam’s Sarfo Otis Adjei on the artificial 3G surface. Kantinan Chanmunti appeared to be a diminutive midfielder for United as his side took the lead after fourteen minutes when Isaac Mbengan smartly finished from a lovely, teasing low cross.
Woradach Boonmakhajornkit saw a low shot for the hosts parried by visiting keeper Phoomin Thumraksa as Chamchuri continued in the ascendancy despite a high press from the Siam side.
The away side saw a header from Nicolas Vidal well saved by the home stopper, Sakpon Nichakam, as they pressed for a leveller, seeing a shot cleared off the line five minutes from the interval. Then Charmil Sritongon forced Phoomin into a reflex stop at the other end.
It was getting a bit tetchy and not very festive as referee Waranon Soonsuwan needed to get a grip as handbags broke out over next to nothing. A long-range free kick by Jakkrawut Mekkhawan was pushed onto the bar by the student team's Sakpon before a pause in hostilities in the dressing rooms.
A league official gave a dressing down to one of the away contingent near me during the break. I think it might have been advice he was offering to the match officials! Sakpon made another good parry shortly after the restart in what was an even game.
Siam were creating more as play continued, and they drew level just past the hour mark with a fantastic training ground free kick move when Yutthana Laohin drove the ball low behind the crowd waiting in the box for Yusaku Yamadera to run onto the pass and smash home from the edge of the box. A quality goal.
The league official made himself busy again, telling a couple that they could not sit next to each other. Siam’s Chutsana Somtrakul was put through and should have squared to a free teammate, but instead elected to shoot, as the opportunity was wasted.
The match became more entertaining as the match became stretched, with both sides seeking a winner. I had a pleasant few minutes as my mate Jeff, back in London, sent Christmas greetings, which was a lovely touch.
The home side's Nico Bergold completely overreacted to a challenge and made himself look daft while Mbengan came close to securing all three points. There was some shocking play acting towards the end, trying to get opponents into bother, which was a bit disappointing, but the game had that undercurrent throughout.
At full time, I headed down to Rama IV Road, missing a 113 while in 7/11, but not having to wait too long before the next one arrived to take me all the way home. A grand Christmas Day out.
Chamchuri United 2 Bangkok FC 4
However, things run pretty much as normal on this date. The 113 bus from Minburi got stuck in heavy traffic, meaning a Plan B was required. There was no way I would reach Hua Lamphong, followed by another long ride to Bang Mod in time for kick-off.
Even this option was in doubt, as officially, spectators were not being allowed access. However, Svein, a fellow Bangkok football fan on Twitter, had posted that he’d been to a game at the stadium a few days previously.
A pleasant walk through the campus of Chulalongkorn University led me around to the main side of the stadium, where my temperature was checked, and I was given a little sticker for my shirt to say I was OK. There was no admission fee.
It transpired that I was on the side of the main stand designated for the visiting team's families and subs. Many seats were cordoned off as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still very much in evidence.
I was slightly surprised to hear chatter through the King's Anthem, perhaps a sign of the times and age group in attendance. My first thought was what lovely, vibrant kits both sides were wearing.
A shot was fired straight from the kick-off by Siam’s Sarfo Otis Adjei on the artificial 3G surface. Kantinan Chanmunti appeared to be a diminutive midfielder for United as his side took the lead after fourteen minutes when Isaac Mbengan smartly finished from a lovely, teasing low cross.
Woradach Boonmakhajornkit saw a low shot for the hosts parried by visiting keeper Phoomin Thumraksa as Chamchuri continued in the ascendancy despite a high press from the Siam side.
The away side saw a header from Nicolas Vidal well saved by the home stopper, Sakpon Nichakam, as they pressed for a leveller, seeing a shot cleared off the line five minutes from the interval. Then Charmil Sritongon forced Phoomin into a reflex stop at the other end.
It was getting a bit tetchy and not very festive as referee Waranon Soonsuwan needed to get a grip as handbags broke out over next to nothing. A long-range free kick by Jakkrawut Mekkhawan was pushed onto the bar by the student team's Sakpon before a pause in hostilities in the dressing rooms.
A league official gave a dressing down to one of the away contingent near me during the break. I think it might have been advice he was offering to the match officials! Sakpon made another good parry shortly after the restart in what was an even game.
Siam were creating more as play continued, and they drew level just past the hour mark with a fantastic training ground free kick move when Yutthana Laohin drove the ball low behind the crowd waiting in the box for Yusaku Yamadera to run onto the pass and smash home from the edge of the box. A quality goal.
The league official made himself busy again, telling a couple that they could not sit next to each other. Siam’s Chutsana Somtrakul was put through and should have squared to a free teammate, but instead elected to shoot, as the opportunity was wasted.
The match became more entertaining as the match became stretched, with both sides seeking a winner. I had a pleasant few minutes as my mate Jeff, back in London, sent Christmas greetings, which was a lovely touch.
The home side's Nico Bergold completely overreacted to a challenge and made himself look daft while Mbengan came close to securing all three points. There was some shocking play acting towards the end, trying to get opponents into bother, which was a bit disappointing, but the game had that undercurrent throughout.
At full time, I headed down to Rama IV Road, missing a 113 while in 7/11, but not having to wait too long before the next one arrived to take me all the way home. A grand Christmas Day out.
Chamchuri United 2 Bangkok FC 4
Thai League 3 Bangkok - Saturday 18th September 2022
👨👨👧👧 200 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)
Chula Return
Chula Return
The new season was underway, and I fancied another visit to town. Again, traffic was a determination, so I decided to take an alternative route via a minivan along Ram Inthra before jumping out at Kasetsart University and heading upstairs to catch the BTS to Siam.
I had forgotten my reading specs at home and couldn’t find any in MBK or other stores. After a good walk, I ended up paying more for some at 7/11 before wandering up to Chulalongkorn Stadium to pay my 50 Baht admission.
I quite liked my visit when I eventually reached Bang Mod a few months earlier, so I decided to go in with the away fans. Their support was enthusiastic as we were all treated to an absolute cracker of a match.
The away team went ahead after six minutes, when Bunlue Thongklian spotted keeper Sakpon out of position, so he shot into the net from wide in his own half as the goalie floundered but could not get back in time.
Chamchuri’s forward partnership of Mbengan and Mohamed Kouadio was very bright, and their play created the equaliser after nineteen minutes when Mbengan was played through with a slide rule pass before he rounded goalie Yannasit Sukchareon to slot home.
The scorer was soon creating more menace as he saw a low shot kept out. Bangkok replied when Banjong Phadungpattanodom saw a long, low free-kick deflected wide. Two more efforts went narrowly wide for the visitors before the break for halftime.
Excellent Company
I had forgotten my reading specs at home and couldn’t find any in MBK or other stores. After a good walk, I ended up paying more for some at 7/11 before wandering up to Chulalongkorn Stadium to pay my 50 Baht admission.
I quite liked my visit when I eventually reached Bang Mod a few months earlier, so I decided to go in with the away fans. Their support was enthusiastic as we were all treated to an absolute cracker of a match.
The away team went ahead after six minutes, when Bunlue Thongklian spotted keeper Sakpon out of position, so he shot into the net from wide in his own half as the goalie floundered but could not get back in time.
Chamchuri’s forward partnership of Mbengan and Mohamed Kouadio was very bright, and their play created the equaliser after nineteen minutes when Mbengan was played through with a slide rule pass before he rounded goalie Yannasit Sukchareon to slot home.
The scorer was soon creating more menace as he saw a low shot kept out. Bangkok replied when Banjong Phadungpattanodom saw a long, low free-kick deflected wide. Two more efforts went narrowly wide for the visitors before the break for halftime.
Excellent Company
At this point, I was joined by Marco, a Twitter pal, for the first time. He had arrived back in Bangkok a few days earlier, and we had a great chat about all things Thai football and the fortunes of Port, our mutual team.
The hosts went ahead slightly against the run of play seven minutes after the restart when Prachpeecha Pachthong, thanks to a howler from Yannasit, who misjudged a low through ball entirely and ran past it, leaving the scorer with an open goal.
The Fire Bulls restored parity when Goshi Okubo fired low under Nichakam to send our section of the stand into wild delight. Even more so when their team went ahead. A clever through ball was run onto by substitute Dauda Bortu, who cleverly lobbed Sakpon after seventy-one minutes.
Both sides played some great stuff, but Bangkok looked like an excellent outfit. They extended the lead nine minutes from the end when Wichaya Pornprasart cut inside the box and fired a delicious curling shot into the far top corner.
Phootran Gingpan missed an open goal at the back post, but further punishment would have been harsh to Chamchuri. Bangkok’s Padungsak Photinak was denied by Sakpon in the last action of the game when he broke through.
At the end of the match, Marco and I headed to Rama IV, where I said goodbye and caught the approaching 113 bus all the way back in time for a shower and to head out to meet my Thai friends in my favourite bar.
The hosts went ahead slightly against the run of play seven minutes after the restart when Prachpeecha Pachthong, thanks to a howler from Yannasit, who misjudged a low through ball entirely and ran past it, leaving the scorer with an open goal.
The Fire Bulls restored parity when Goshi Okubo fired low under Nichakam to send our section of the stand into wild delight. Even more so when their team went ahead. A clever through ball was run onto by substitute Dauda Bortu, who cleverly lobbed Sakpon after seventy-one minutes.
Both sides played some great stuff, but Bangkok looked like an excellent outfit. They extended the lead nine minutes from the end when Wichaya Pornprasart cut inside the box and fired a delicious curling shot into the far top corner.
Phootran Gingpan missed an open goal at the back post, but further punishment would have been harsh to Chamchuri. Bangkok’s Padungsak Photinak was denied by Sakpon in the last action of the game when he broke through.
At the end of the match, Marco and I headed to Rama IV, where I said goodbye and caught the approaching 113 bus all the way back in time for a shower and to head out to meet my Thai friends in my favourite bar.
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