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
Promotion to the second-tier Thai Division 1 League followed through the playoffs after lifting the divisional title. The success continued in 2010, as the team was promoted 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 their new stadium in July 2012. The team also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, where they were defeated by Army United. Several head coaches were employed the following year, with Teco, Henk Wisman, Anurak Srikerd and Teerasak Po-on all taking charge of the team.
Another run to the FA Cup semi-finals ended in defeat after a penalty shoot-out by Bangkok Glass at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. More mid-table finishes were accrued, as 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 defeat after a penalty shoot-out by Bangkok Glass at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. More mid-table finishes were accrued, as the club brokered a deal with the JARKEN group in 2016 to enhance its marketing and brand strategy.
Gama Game Changer
A sponsorship deal led to the renaming of United’s home to 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 final of the League Cup against Muang Thong United at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat, with Everton Gonçalves being sent off to add 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, a William Henrique goal was enough to defeat Bangkok Glass at Thammasat Stadium before the FA Cup was retained with a 3-2 win against 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, on this occasion 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, on this occasion 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 come to an end, and it was time to get on with my 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. Our only route by public transport was by bus. A few services stood out, but booking online 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. Our only route by public transport was by bus. A few services stood out, but booking online was unavailable.
Taxi to Chiang Rai
We headed to the bus station, where Steve stood in the queue. I noticed things were not going to plan as 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 at the times 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 back in the UK 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 a phone call to our hotel, we eventually found where 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 and excellent value Moon House @ Clock Tower rooms.
Local Knowledge
Basically, all the buses were full at the times 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 back in the UK 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 a phone call to our hotel, we eventually found where 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 and excellent value Moon House @ Clock Tower rooms.
Local Knowledge
We had a bit of an adventure after a siesta 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 songteaw to head to Singha Stadium, and came up trumps as 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.
There were a few Port fans 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. We were sent back to the main ticket booths.
After finding the correct window, I was a bit dismayed to find that we were being charged double the price of the home fans. 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 songteaw to head to Singha Stadium, and came up trumps as 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
After finding the correct window, I was a bit dismayed to find that we were being charged double the price of the home fans. 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 was like going back to England in the 70s and 80’s, 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. No programmes were issued by Chiang Rai.
Singha Stadium was an impressive arena. Aside from our steep bank, there was a raised covered seated stand 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, there was a raised covered seated stand 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 were top of 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 new campaign and went into the game in around seventh place. A decent turnout had made the journey from the capital to cheer on the team.
Chiangrai started the game brightly, attacking down both wings, but the visiting defence were coping pretty well and eventually had one or two moments of their own on the break. By now, the ground was nearly filled to capacity, and the home fans were getting behind their side, which included four Brazilians in the starting lineup.
After seventeen minutes, the early pressure eventually 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, but lacked a yard of pace.
After around twenty-five minutes, it looked like things were going to get far worse for Port. Full back Panphanphong Pinkong was adjudged to have fouled wide man Thitipan Puangchan in the area by referee Dusit Iamsakul. We were not convinced.
Justice was seen to be 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.
Our talk was about holding on until half-time and maybe grabbing a point from the match, 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. The defence was being expertly marshalled by skipper David Rochela. Deputy keeper Worawut was having a dream game while the hard-working Josimar was allowing Suárez's talents to flourish.
The goal on the break seemed to knock the stuffing out of United, before they gradually regrouped. There was always the chance that they could be exposed at the back as they needed to take more chances.
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 were not scared of going down easily in the area.
Pressure Drop
Chiangrai started the game brightly, attacking down both wings, but the visiting defence were coping pretty well and eventually had one or two moments of their own on the break. By now, the ground was nearly filled to capacity, and the home fans were getting behind their side, which included four Brazilians in the starting lineup.
After seventeen minutes, the early pressure eventually 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, but lacked a yard of pace.
After around twenty-five minutes, it looked like things were going to get far worse for Port. Full back Panphanphong Pinkong was adjudged to have fouled wide man Thitipan Puangchan in the area by referee Dusit Iamsakul. We were not convinced.
Justice was seen to be 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.
Our talk was about holding on until half-time and maybe grabbing a point from the match, 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. The defence was being expertly marshalled by skipper David Rochela. Deputy keeper Worawut was having a dream game while the hard-working Josimar was allowing Suárez's talents to flourish.
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 were not scared of going 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 for Josimar to slot home from close range.
It was bedlam in the away section. Everyone was getting behind the team. United had yet another appeal for a penalty turned away, before the ball somehow stayed out of the net following a scramble. Josimar missed a sitter when teed up in the closing stages.
Celebration Time
It was bedlam in the away section. Everyone was getting behind the team. United had yet another appeal for a penalty turned away, before the ball somehow stayed out of the net following a scramble. Josimar missed a sitter when teed up in the closing stages.
Celebration Time
It was to be Port’s night. As is customary, both the home side and the away team greeted all the spectators in the stadium. Then, the visiting Khlong Toei Army had their turn to celebrate with their victorious team.
Getting back into town wasn’t going to be 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 into town wasn’t going to be 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 of the establishment did all the cooking, and she was bloody brilliant at it. While enjoying our beers, we heard some noise getting closer.
It was the expat Port fans who, it turned out, had travelled up for the weekend. We chatted with Dominic, who was naturally elated with the evening. They were all good guys who certainly loved their football and beer!
Steve and I tried a few other bars: 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, it turned out, had travelled up for the weekend. We chatted with Dominic, who was naturally elated with the evening. They were all good guys who certainly loved their football and beer!
Steve and I tried a few other bars: 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 you spoke with them and 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 had been 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 had been a great experience, with the match being the obvious highlight.
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