Chanthaburi FC
Ground: Chanthaburi Province Stadium
Capacity: 5,000
Club Founded: 2004
League: Thai League 2 (current level)
Chanthaburi FC are one of many provincial clubs that have shown that gradual progress is possible through careful management. Here I look at their story and my stadium visit.
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| The new stand at Chanthaburi Stadium |
Club Background
Sirisak Musbu-ngor scored the most goals in successive seasons, while Kassiaty Gildas Labi took over the mantle in 2011, before the team was relegated a year later. Prawit Wasoontara, ending the season as the top scorer with four goals, tells its own story. This led to a drop down to the third-tier Division 2 Central-East.
Playoffs Beckon
Playoffs Beckon
A couple of seasons were spent at Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University Stadium. Changes were made to the league setup. The 'Wild Rabbits’ were placed in the Thai League 4 East. The goals of Mbassegus Mbarga, assisted by Lee Jung-hun, led the side to the regional title, before disappointment in the playoffs.
Chainarong Samuttha led the scoring charts in 2018, as promotion was thwarted once again in the playoffs. The club again attracted the highest average attendance figures in the division. For the next two campaigns, Tripop Janoensheep scored the most goals.
Promotion to the Second-Tier
After league restructuring, Chanthaburi were placed in Thai League 3 East under head coach Arthit Onkham. Htoo Kapaw did his bit to cheer the crowds in 2021-22 despite a lowly league finish under head coach Nattapon Kokittipong.
He was replaced by Tanadat Sangurai, with the goals of Luan Santos, leading to a playoff place. The team topped the Upper Group to win promotion to Thai League 2. Brazilian coach Alexander Apsrecid was put in charge of team affairs. Supachai Komslip replaced him before the end of the season.
Recent Seasons
Recent Seasons
Wander Luiz top-scored as Chanthaburi consolidated its status. Léo Neiva came in as head coach in January 2025, quickly replaced by Theerawekin Seehawong in a season in which Tiago Chulapa top-scored. Patanapong Sripramote was appointed as the next head coach before being succeeded by Thongchai Rungreangles in February 2026.
My visit
Stadium Visit - Wednesday 16th August 2023
Koh Chang was the destination for my wife, Taew and me the following day, so I suggested breaking up the journey as she hadn’t driven any distance for a while. Chanthaburi seemed as nice a place as any, so off we headed from Minburi.
We were a little early to check into our hotel, so opportunity knocked for a little sightseeing. King Taksin Memorial Park was a bit of a letdown. That and the lake surrounding it were in the middle of renovation.
Fortunately, the Provincial Stadium was on the way to our accommodation, so I asked my good lady to stop while I took some pictures, which was easy through the wire fence. It was another slight disappointment and certainly lacked what I expected of a second-tier venue. It was a typical Thai multi-purpose arena, complete with a running track.
The one stand was fine, but that was about it. Just a few rows of open bleachers opposite. I had seen previous images of a big corner stand, like the one in place at Phisanulok, but it was no longer there. The most impressive feature was the modern floodlights.
Not to worry, it was still on my list of venues to watch a game at, hopefully sometime in the future. We headed to Hotel Kasemsarn, a rather old-fashioned but tidy place, before going exploring around the quaint town that would certainly warrant a revisit.
The standout was probably the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its strong French influence, and the little lane off the river which housed the Chanthaboon Waterfront Community.
Taew was happy enough as we found a lovely little boutique clothes shop. We enjoyed a nice meal overlooking the river at the Yindee Café, which was extremely good value, before retiring for the evening, as we completed our journey south the following morning.
My visit
Stadium Visit - Wednesday 16th August 2023
Koh Chang was the destination for my wife, Taew and me the following day, so I suggested breaking up the journey as she hadn’t driven any distance for a while. Chanthaburi seemed as nice a place as any, so off we headed from Minburi.
We were a little early to check into our hotel, so opportunity knocked for a little sightseeing. King Taksin Memorial Park was a bit of a letdown. That and the lake surrounding it were in the middle of renovation.
Fortunately, the Provincial Stadium was on the way to our accommodation, so I asked my good lady to stop while I took some pictures, which was easy through the wire fence. It was another slight disappointment and certainly lacked what I expected of a second-tier venue. It was a typical Thai multi-purpose arena, complete with a running track.
The one stand was fine, but that was about it. Just a few rows of open bleachers opposite. I had seen previous images of a big corner stand, like the one in place at Phisanulok, but it was no longer there. The most impressive feature was the modern floodlights.
Not to worry, it was still on my list of venues to watch a game at, hopefully sometime in the future. We headed to Hotel Kasemsarn, a rather old-fashioned but tidy place, before going exploring around the quaint town that would certainly warrant a revisit.
The standout was probably the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its strong French influence, and the little lane off the river which housed the Chanthaboon Waterfront Community.
Taew was happy enough as we found a lovely little boutique clothes shop. We enjoyed a nice meal overlooking the river at the Yindee Café, which was extremely good value, before retiring for the evening, as we completed our journey south the following morning.
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