Hua Hin City FC
Ground: Khao Takiap Stadium
Capacity: 3,500
Club Founded: 2007
League: Thai League 3 West (current level)
Supporting the local football club in Hua Hin has never quite taken off, despite the beautiful location, as it has endured many twists and turns.
Early Club History
Formed as Hua Hin Municipality FC, the club changed their name to their current title in 2011 and entered the Khǒr Royal Cup, a competition for non-league teams in Thailand. They finished as runners-up in 2012 to reach the third tier, placed in Division 2 Central & West Region.
The remote location of Thanaratchata Camp Football Field was City's home ground in their debut season. Hua Hin reached the playoffs in 2014, thanks to the goals of Anucha Chaiwong. The campaign ended in chaos, as a vital game against Prachuap descended into fierce, violent battles instigated by Prachuap's chairman.
Punishment and Stadium Rumours
The remote location of Thanaratchata Camp Football Field was City's home ground in their debut season. Hua Hin reached the playoffs in 2014, thanks to the goals of Anucha Chaiwong. The campaign ended in chaos, as a vital game against Prachuap descended into fierce, violent battles instigated by Prachuap's chairman.
Punishment and Stadium Rumours
Hua Hin were punished for their part in the scenes and were forced to play some home games at Tha Yang the following season. This was after new owners invested large sums in new overseas signings, including Andre Marques, who topped the scoring.
There was talk of building a new super stadium near the city’s bypass. Rumours also circulated that the license for the Bangkok club TOT had been purchased, with their coaching staff being dispatched.
French Ownership
There was talk of building a new super stadium near the city’s bypass. Rumours also circulated that the license for the Bangkok club TOT had been purchased, with their coaching staff being dispatched.
French Ownership
Hua Hin were placed in the rebranded Division 2 West in 2016, as the club moved into their new Khao Takiap Stadium. A poor campaign ended in being placed in the fourth-tier Thai League 4 West following league re-organisation.
The club was close to disbanding and even relocated for a time to Rajapruk University in the Bangkok district of Nonthaburi. A locally based French businessman bought the club and returned it to Khao Takiap as City were led by French head coach, Sébastien Roques, with Arnon Kaimook ending up as top scorer.
The following season was again overshadowed by events off the pitch. The owner had been forced out by previous Thai custodians, as he also lost his businesses in an unsavoury run of events. The players were forced out without payment before taking their cases and winning at the Thai FA and FIFA.
The 'Sailors' reached the play-offs in 2019, where Hua Hin's hopes of going up were extinguished in a season in which Sutin Iamsa-ard scored the goals.
Recent Seasons
The club was close to disbanding and even relocated for a time to Rajapruk University in the Bangkok district of Nonthaburi. A locally based French businessman bought the club and returned it to Khao Takiap as City were led by French head coach, Sébastien Roques, with Arnon Kaimook ending up as top scorer.
The following season was again overshadowed by events off the pitch. The owner had been forced out by previous Thai custodians, as he also lost his businesses in an unsavoury run of events. The players were forced out without payment before taking their cases and winning at the Thai FA and FIFA.
The 'Sailors' reached the play-offs in 2019, where Hua Hin's hopes of going up were extinguished in a season in which Sutin Iamsa-ard scored the goals.
Recent Seasons
2020-21 saw Hua Hin City placed in Thai League 3 West, under head coach Jiradech Seangsang, who took the team to third position twelve months later. The experienced Belgian head coach, Rene Desaeyere, then took charge of the side.
Chitsanuphong Phimpsang led the scoring chart before coach Jiradech returned to the bench after a year away. The goals of Breno in 2024-25 saw an improved league position. Jakkree Nongnoi was appointed as the new team boss in January 2026.
My visit
Hua Hin City 5 IPE Samut Sakhon United 3
My visit
Hua Hin City 5 IPE Samut Sakhon United 3
Thai League 4 West - Sunday 26th March 2017
👨👨👧👧 200 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)
Advance Planning
Advance Planning
Having visited Hua Hin on many happy occasions over the years, I wanted to see a match at Khao Takiap Stadium. My pals Steve and Mark had seen the team in action at Thanaratchata Camp and enjoyed the hospitality.
It was time for me to head to the Land of Smiles for a week of rest and socialising before the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes, arriving on Saturday evening. This was the chance I had been waiting for.
Seaside Break
It was time for me to head to the Land of Smiles for a week of rest and socialising before the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes, arriving on Saturday evening. This was the chance I had been waiting for.
Seaside Break
It was the international break weekend in Thailand, so lower division football was the order of the day. My friend Dale, who runs the Chonburi FC English Blogsite, deciphered the Thai language fixtures and confirmed that I was in luck.
Steve and his girlfriend Fah were accompanying me for a couple of nights in Hua Hin as we headed south in one of the smart luxury coaches from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday morning, before we lads headed out for lunch and a couple of beers.
Pre-Match Confusion
Steve and his girlfriend Fah were accompanying me for a couple of nights in Hua Hin as we headed south in one of the smart luxury coaches from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday morning, before we lads headed out for lunch and a couple of beers.
Pre-Match Confusion
We decided to head to Soi 80 for a few more bottles before it was time to try and find a way to the ground. I was a little surprised by Steve’s choice of destination. I was pretty sure of the way to the stadium, but I left it with him.
A local pulled up in his large car and offered us a lift for 100 THB, so we got in with him and his infant. He seemed sure he knew where we wanted, so it was a bit of a shock to him when he pulled up at a small-sided complex, and we shook our heads and said “Mai”.
Off we went again. I thought I saw some floodlights across from us. We were in an undeveloped part of the city with poor roads and no English signage. Our chauffeur seemed confident once again.
This time, we ended up at Hua Hin Centennial Club, a lovely sports facility, but once again, wrong. There was nothing left for it as I made the ultimate sacrifice and turned on the mobile data on my phone. Hey presto, we were pretty close and exactly where I’d initially thought the stadium was located.
Finally Made It!
A local pulled up in his large car and offered us a lift for 100 THB, so we got in with him and his infant. He seemed sure he knew where we wanted, so it was a bit of a shock to him when he pulled up at a small-sided complex, and we shook our heads and said “Mai”.
Off we went again. I thought I saw some floodlights across from us. We were in an undeveloped part of the city with poor roads and no English signage. Our chauffeur seemed confident once again.
This time, we ended up at Hua Hin Centennial Club, a lovely sports facility, but once again, wrong. There was nothing left for it as I made the ultimate sacrifice and turned on the mobile data on my phone. Hey presto, we were pretty close and exactly where I’d initially thought the stadium was located.
Finally Made It!
The poor little lad in the back of the car must have been thoroughly fed up. We gave his Dad double money, which he appreciated as he dropped us off in the car park behind the main entrance on Nong Kae-Takiap just before the 5.30pm kick-off.
We bought our tickets, and although there were no programmes, I picked up a fixture list. I thought that Steve had last learned to read Thai as he confidently told me the schedule, only for him to burst out in laughter. He hadn’t the foggiest.
The Match
We bought our tickets, and although there were no programmes, I picked up a fixture list. I thought that Steve had last learned to read Thai as he confidently told me the schedule, only for him to burst out in laughter. He hadn’t the foggiest.
The Match
Khao Takiap Stadium was pretty basic, with an open semi-permanent stand down our side, and a small covered stand opposite with two small sections of open stands on either side. The south end behind the goal only had a wire net separating it from the alley.
It only took Hua Hin a couple of minutes to take the lead through midfielder Ratchapark Duangfa before doubling their lead just before the half-hour mark as Ghanaian striker Gimba Ali fired home.
The home fans were most happy. A Scottish ex-pat behind us offered his observations to the referee, who’d already booked two United players, who would have absolutely no idea what he was going on about. I mean, Steve and I were struggling with him!
IPE Samut Sakhon United were the second team from the same town as Samut Sakhon FC, whom I’d seen play away from home in the past. The extension of the Thai League to four divisions was welcome in many ways, but it made deciphering teams a bit tricky at times.
Kovit deservedly reduced the arrears just before the break to the joy of the twenty or so away fans on the far side. By this stage, manager Somboon Chiwprecha had already made two substitutions to try to change the game. His side was decent enough going forward, but woeful at the back.
At the break, Steve got the beers in while I went behind the goal and took some photos as the beautiful red sky formed a stunning backdrop to what was becoming a fantastic evening out.
After the interval, United pressed for an equaliser and looked the better team in parts. We both predicted that the next goal would be decisive, but little did we know just how many goals would be coming. It blitzed both our score predictions.
Hua Hin extended their lead after an hour as Arnon Kaimook scored. Gimba Ali netted his second to make it 4-1 before United pulled back what looked like a consolation. Three minutes before full time, it was 5-2 as Hua Hin forward Panthakant Tiengnae scored. There was still time for the visitors to grab another goal and force some late pressure
Sunday Night Out
It only took Hua Hin a couple of minutes to take the lead through midfielder Ratchapark Duangfa before doubling their lead just before the half-hour mark as Ghanaian striker Gimba Ali fired home.
The home fans were most happy. A Scottish ex-pat behind us offered his observations to the referee, who’d already booked two United players, who would have absolutely no idea what he was going on about. I mean, Steve and I were struggling with him!
IPE Samut Sakhon United were the second team from the same town as Samut Sakhon FC, whom I’d seen play away from home in the past. The extension of the Thai League to four divisions was welcome in many ways, but it made deciphering teams a bit tricky at times.
Kovit deservedly reduced the arrears just before the break to the joy of the twenty or so away fans on the far side. By this stage, manager Somboon Chiwprecha had already made two substitutions to try to change the game. His side was decent enough going forward, but woeful at the back.
At the break, Steve got the beers in while I went behind the goal and took some photos as the beautiful red sky formed a stunning backdrop to what was becoming a fantastic evening out.
After the interval, United pressed for an equaliser and looked the better team in parts. We both predicted that the next goal would be decisive, but little did we know just how many goals would be coming. It blitzed both our score predictions.
Hua Hin extended their lead after an hour as Arnon Kaimook scored. Gimba Ali netted his second to make it 4-1 before United pulled back what looked like a consolation. Three minutes before full time, it was 5-2 as Hua Hin forward Panthakant Tiengnae scored. There was still time for the visitors to grab another goal and force some late pressure
Sunday Night Out
After receiving full value for money, we headed back up the main road and stopped for a beer at a neat bar showing Scunthorpe United v Bradford City on a big screen TV, before catching a songtheaw back into town. A terrific bar crawl ensued, ending with watching England v Lithuania in the Sand Inn Hotel & Bar as the Thai owner blasted out rock anthems.
It had been a fantastic start to my three-week holiday, and an experience that I would repeat at any time if visiting Hua Hin.
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