Chiangrai United FC
Ground: Chiangrai Stadium
Capacity: 12,000
Club Founded: 2009
League: Thai League 1 (current level)
Chiangrai United FC have risen to become one of Thailand’s most successful modern football clubs, proudly representing Thailand’s northernmost province. This post explores the club’s journey, achievements, and the matchday experience at one of the country's most distinctive football destinations.
The Beetles - Early Years
A playoff win ended in promotion to the second-tier Thai Division 1 League after lifting the divisional title. The success continued in 2010 when the team won promotion to the Thai Premier League. This was despite using three coaches throughout the season: Kajohn Punnaves, Rungsimun Songkrohtham, and then the Brazilian Teco.
New Stadium
New Stadium
After consolidating in their debut season in the top-tier, Chiangrai opened its new stadium in July 2012. The team also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Army United. Teco, Henk Wisman, Anurak Srikerd and Teerasak Po-on all took charge of the team the following year.
Another run to the FA Cup semi-finals ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bangkok Glass at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. The club brokered a deal with the JARKEN group in 2016 to enhance its marketing and brand strategy.
Another run to the FA Cup semi-finals ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bangkok Glass at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. The club brokered a deal with the JARKEN group in 2016 to enhance its marketing and brand strategy.
A sponsorship deal saw United’s home renamed Singha Stadium, with big-money signings Tanaboon Kesarat, Vander Luiz, Felipe Azevedo, and Henrique Silva arriving at the club. They were further strengthened by the arrival of Brazilian coach Alexandre Gama for the 2017 Thai League 1 season.
Cup Final Joy
The team excelled in the cup competitions. Chiangrai reached the League Cup final against Muang Thong United at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat. Everton Gonçalves's sending-off added to the agony. However, the team showed great character, returning to the same venue four days later to defeat Bangkok United 4-2 to lift the FA Cup.
Chiangrai’s goals came from a Vander brace, with Everton Gonçalves and Rafael Coelho also scoring to bring joy to the travelling fans. Jose Alves Borges succeeded Gama in October 2018 as Bill's goals took United to fifth place in the league. A few months later, another head coach appointment saw the new man, Ailton Silva, lead the team to further cup success.
Thai League Champions
In the League Cup final, William Henrique's goal defeated Bangkok Glass at Thammasat Stadium. The FA Cup was retained with a 3-2 win over Buriram United, with Bill netting a hat-trick at Supachalasai.
The big Brazilian helped his side to the league title in 2019 as Chiangrai became champions of Thailand. Two years later, United lifted the FA Cup for a third time. This time under Brazilian coach Emerson Pereira, who had earlier replaced Masami Taki. Chonburi were defeated on penalties in Pathum Thani in the big match.
Recent Years
The big Brazilian helped his side to the league title in 2019 as Chiangrai became champions of Thailand. Two years later, United lifted the FA Cup for a third time. This time under Brazilian coach Emerson Pereira, who had earlier replaced Masami Taki. Chonburi were defeated on penalties in Pathum Thani in the big match.
Recent Years
Gabriel Magalhães was the next Brazilian to take charge of the team before being replaced by Xavi Moro. Piyaphon Phanichakul replaced the Spaniard within a few months. He, in turn, lasted even less time, with Worawut Wangsawad being appointed head coach in February 2025.
The team pulled away from the relegation places before Sirisak Yodyardthai took over team affairs.
My visit
Chiangrai United 1 Port FC 3
My visit
Chiangrai United 1 Port FC 3
Thai League 1 - Sunday 9th April 2017
👨👨👧👧 8,417 🎟️ 200 THB (£4.80)
Chiang Mai Cricket
Chiang Mai Cricket
The annual Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes had finished, and it was time to enjoy a few days' break before the next event down in Phuket. As luck would have it, Port, my Thai team, was playing up north at Chiang Rai. I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity.
My good pal Steve had arrived in Chiang Mai for a few nights and stayed with me so we could head off on the Sunday morning. The bus was our only way to get to Chiang Rai by public transport. A few services stood out, but online booking was unavailable.
Taxi to Chiang Rai
My good pal Steve had arrived in Chiang Mai for a few nights and stayed with me so we could head off on the Sunday morning. The bus was our only way to get to Chiang Rai by public transport. A few services stood out, but online booking was unavailable.
Taxi to Chiang Rai
We headed to the bus station, where Steve stood in the queue. I noticed things weren't going to plan. He was having an extended discussion with the lady behind the counter. I went across to see what was wrong.
Basically, all the buses were full when we needed to travel. Action was needed, so I asked my pal to see if he could negotiate a taxi fare. At first, our wannabe driver asked for 2,500 Baht. This was a bit steep. Eventually, he backed down to 2,000 (around £45).
The ride was dramatic in places as we headed up through the hills on roads that put most UK surfaces to shame. Our driver wasn’t mucking about, but he was competent. Steve and I both grabbed a brief nap as we headed north.
After calling our hotel, we needed to be by the clock tower just after midday, which was a far better result than the bus could offer. We had lunch before checking into the smart, excellent value Moon House @ Clock Tower rooms.
Local Knowledge
Basically, all the buses were full when we needed to travel. Action was needed, so I asked my pal to see if he could negotiate a taxi fare. At first, our wannabe driver asked for 2,500 Baht. This was a bit steep. Eventually, he backed down to 2,000 (around £45).
The ride was dramatic in places as we headed up through the hills on roads that put most UK surfaces to shame. Our driver wasn’t mucking about, but he was competent. Steve and I both grabbed a brief nap as we headed north.
After calling our hotel, we needed to be by the clock tower just after midday, which was a far better result than the bus could offer. We had lunch before checking into the smart, excellent value Moon House @ Clock Tower rooms.
Local Knowledge
After a siesta, we had a recce to plan our evening’s adventures and found the excellent Easy House on Jeytod Road, where the beers were good value and the food tasty and plentiful.
We managed to hail a small songthaew to head to Singha Stadium, and got lucky. The driver knew every trick in the book to get through the heavy traffic building for the match. We arrived outside the busy stadium around forty-five minutes before kick-off.
A few Port fans were among the mass of orange United shirts outside. We headed to where most of the away fans, including quite a few ex-pats, were gathered. I asked where we could buy our tickets. They sent us to the main ticket booths.
I was a bit dismayed to find that we were being charged double the home fans when I found the correct window. OK, it was only £5 in my pocket, but the principle was wrong. I wanted an away win more than ever. I grabbed us a couple of cold drinks before we entered our section.
Echoes of the 70s
We managed to hail a small songthaew to head to Singha Stadium, and got lucky. The driver knew every trick in the book to get through the heavy traffic building for the match. We arrived outside the busy stadium around forty-five minutes before kick-off.
Surcharge for Away Fans
I was a bit dismayed to find that we were being charged double the home fans when I found the correct window. OK, it was only £5 in my pocket, but the principle was wrong. I wanted an away win more than ever. I grabbed us a couple of cold drinks before we entered our section.
Echoes of the 70s
It reminded me of going back to England in the 70s and 80’, as we were given a small section in the corner of the open section with a relatively high segregation barrier separating us from the home support. Chiangrai didn't publish a programme.
Singha Stadium was an impressive arena. Aside from our steep bank, a raised covered seated stand was down our right-hand side. Opposite was a magnificent, large single-tiered main stand. The far end had an open section backed by a leisure facility.
The Match
Singha Stadium was an impressive arena. Aside from our steep bank, a raised covered seated stand was down our right-hand side. Opposite was a magnificent, large single-tiered main stand. The far end had an open section backed by a leisure facility.
The Match
United topped the table before the weekend’s fixtures, and needed three points to regain their position after Saturday’s results. Newly promoted Port had made a decent start to the campaign and went into the game around seventh place. A decent turnout had made the journey from the capital to cheer on the team.
Chiangrai started brightly, attacking down both wings, but the visiting defence coped well and eventually had one or two breakaways. The ground was nearly full, and the home fans were getting behind their side, which included four Brazilians in the starting lineup.
In the seventeenth minute, the early pressure paid off as a fine cross came in from the right for Felipe Azevedo to beat Port keeper Worawut Srisupha as the ball rolled in off the post and into the net.
At this point, Steve and I both agreed that this had all the omens of being a long night for Port. They had one or two moments of their own. Their big Brazilian forward Josimar was a handful, although he lacked a yard of pace.
After twenty-five minutes, it looked like things were going to get far worse for Port. Referee Dusit Iamsakulto adjudged full-back Panphanphong Pinkong had fouled wide man Thitipan Puangchan in the area. We were not convinced.
Chiangrai started brightly, attacking down both wings, but the visiting defence coped well and eventually had one or two breakaways. The ground was nearly full, and the home fans were getting behind their side, which included four Brazilians in the starting lineup.
In the seventeenth minute, the early pressure paid off as a fine cross came in from the right for Felipe Azevedo to beat Port keeper Worawut Srisupha as the ball rolled in off the post and into the net.
At this point, Steve and I both agreed that this had all the omens of being a long night for Port. They had one or two moments of their own. Their big Brazilian forward Josimar was a handful, although he lacked a yard of pace.
After twenty-five minutes, it looked like things were going to get far worse for Port. Referee Dusit Iamsakulto adjudged full-back Panphanphong Pinkong had fouled wide man Thitipan Puangchan in the area. We were not convinced.
Justice was done as Srisupha pulled off a fantastic save to push Rafael Coelho’s spot kick against the post and wide. The away section celebrated wildly, and had more cause for joy a few minutes later when Japanese midfielder Genki Nagasato scored at the second attempt after being put through.
We thought the plan would hold until half-time and maybe grab a point, but we didn’t account for the sublime Spaniard Sergio Suárez putting Port 2-1 up just before the interval as he calmly trapped a cross at the far post and slotted home. Coelho had a goal ruled out for offside just before the break.
Port were playing so well. Skipper David Rochela led the defence expertly. Deputy keeper Worawut was having a dream game while Suárez's talents flourished thanks to Josimar.
The Port goal led a charmed life on several occasions. Referee Iamsakul kept his cool on a few occasions where he could have easily been swayed into awarding another penalty. The United players didn't need invites to go down easily in the area.
Pressure Drop
Worawut pulled off a fine save before Suárez beat a challenge to break down the right with eleven minutes of normal time to go. He cut inside past a defender and slotted the ball past home keeper Pattara Piyapatrakitti. Josimar slotted home from close range.
It was bedlam in the away section. Everyone was getting behind the team. United had yet another penalty appeal turned away, before the ball somehow stayed out of the net following a scramble. Josimar missed a sitter before the end.
Celebration Time
It was bedlam in the away section. Everyone was getting behind the team. United had yet another penalty appeal turned away, before the ball somehow stayed out of the net following a scramble. Josimar missed a sitter before the end.
Celebration Time
It was to be Port’s night. As customary, both the home side and the away team greeted all spectators. Then the visiting Khlong Toei Army celebrated and serenaded their victorious team.
Getting back to town wasn’t easy, but Steve came up with an ingenious plan. Singha Stadium was only a few hundred yards from Chiang Rai Airport. Indeed, some Port fans were walking to catch a plane back to Bangkok. We followed suit, only we got a taxi when we reached the terminal.
Sunday Night in Chiang Rai
Getting back to town wasn’t easy, but Steve came up with an ingenious plan. Singha Stadium was only a few hundred yards from Chiang Rai Airport. Indeed, some Port fans were walking to catch a plane back to Bangkok. We followed suit, only we got a taxi when we reached the terminal.
Sunday Night in Chiang Rai
We headed straight back to Easy House for a much-needed post-match meal. The owner did all the cooking, and she was bloody brilliant at it. While we enjoyed our beers, we heard some noise getting closer.
It was the expat Port fans who had travelled up for the weekend. We chatted with Dominic, who was naturally elated. They were all good guys who certainly loved their football and beer!
Steve and I tried a few other bars, including the rather quiet Siam Corner, the mad 69 Bar, and the intriguing Smile Bar, before we ended the evening in Cat Bar. This was a great choice as the owner played live music while his wife served beer.
Chiang Rai turned out to be a wonderful destination for a couple of nights away. It wasn’t too hectic, but both Jetyod Road and the Night Bazaar offered excellent eating and drinking options.
It was the expat Port fans who had travelled up for the weekend. We chatted with Dominic, who was naturally elated. They were all good guys who certainly loved their football and beer!
Steve and I tried a few other bars, including the rather quiet Siam Corner, the mad 69 Bar, and the intriguing Smile Bar, before we ended the evening in Cat Bar. This was a great choice as the owner played live music while his wife served beer.
Chiang Rai turned out to be a wonderful destination for a couple of nights away. It wasn’t too hectic, but both Jetyod Road and the Night Bazaar offered excellent eating and drinking options.
Wonderful Locals
The people were very warm and friendly, especially once they realised that we were good customers. Many punters spend the bare minimum, so they appreciate people buying food and drink rather than a bottle of water to share.
We headed to the Airport on Tuesday morning for our flight down to Phuket and a fantastic, relaxing Monday. We even saw an official Port FC car and an official on Jetyod Road. Overall, it was a great experience, with the match being the obvious highlight.
We headed to the Airport on Tuesday morning for our flight down to Phuket and a fantastic, relaxing Monday. We even saw an official Port FC car and an official on Jetyod Road. Overall, it was a great experience, with the match being the obvious highlight.
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