Kanchanaburi Power

Kanchanaburi Power FC 

Ground: Kleeb Bua Stadium

Capacity: 13,000

Club Founded: 2017

League: Thai League 2 (current level)

One of Thailand's newer clubs, Kanchanaburi Power FC, has quickly established itself as an ambitious force in the country's football pyramid. This post looks at the club's journey, its supporters, and my visit to their former home ground in western Thailand.

Brief Club History

Kanchanaburi Power was founded as Singha Golden Bells Muangkan, playing home games at Kanchanaburi Municipality Stadium. In the Western Region of the Thailand Amateur League, they were promoted in 2019 despite losing to Kanjanapat in the regional final in Ayutthaya.

Under their new title, Singha Golden Bells Kanchanaburi, in Thai League 3 West, Nattapong Kumnaet finished as top scorer, with Pannarai Pansiri overseeing team affairs after taking over from Nakorn Choosoon. Brazilian forward Lucas Massaro topped the scoring charts in 2021-22, after Kitnarong Haolert had replaced Pannarai.

Name and Stadium Change

Big changes followed for the 2022-23 season. The club title was changed to Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi. It led to much conjecture about the club's future, with Pathumwan an area of central Bangkok. Coach Pannarai returned for a second spell at the helm before he was replaced a few games in by Yai Ninwong.

The goals of Sergei Tumasyan fired the side to the West region title. In the playoffs, an aggregate win over Pattaya Dolphins United sealed promotion. The club moved across the city to take up residency at Kleeb Bua Stadium, the former home of Muangkan United.

FA Cup Final Heartbreak

Brazilian head coach Douglas Rodrigues was appointed, before being replaced by Ranon Intharatul. The side went on an incredible run in the FA Cup, all the way to the final at Ratchaburi against Bangkok United. Ricardo Pires put his side ahead before United were awarded a penalty in very controversial circumstances through the intervention of VAR. 

They would eventually lift the cup after penalties. DP Kanchanburi were left distraught and furious. A name change to Kanchanaburi Power followed. New coach Nattapong Todsanit was followed by Dusit Chalermsan. Kritsana Kasemkulvilai topped the scoring as the team reached Thai League 1 after playoff victories against Mahasarakham SBT and Phrae United.

Alongkorn Thong-Am took over in the dugout, while big-name signing Andros Townsend also arrived. Joaquín Gómez, Wasapol Kaewpaluk and then Lee Jung-soo all had tenures as Power head coach in a season that ended in relegation. Park Hang-seo was appointed to lead the side for the 2026-27 season.

My visit

At Kanchanaburi Municipality Stadium

Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi 2 Suphanburi 1

Thai League Cup Playoff Round - Wednesday 19th October 2022

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 186 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)

Decisions Decisions

Trying to decide on which Revo League Cup to head to was not made easy by the Thai League website not showing fixtures a few days before the matches were scheduled. I wanted to go somewhere different, so I headed to individual club Facebook pages.

This match looked like just the job with a 3pm kick-off, allowing me to catch a bus back to Bangkok after the game to save on the expense of an overnight stay. The club were most helpful in replying to my enquiry as to which stadium would be used, so they got my vote.

Breakfast Date

It worked out well as my cricket pal Troy and his son Matthew were staying in central Bangkok, so I met them for breakfast on the way to the bus. I was in rather better physical shape than I had feared, having had my football comeback cancelled the previous teatime.

Though not quite as good as I should have been, I deserve little sympathy for staying out too late. I got into town ahead of schedule via bus and boat, meeting my pals, ready for a nice catch-up and brekkie at The Sportsman, my first fry-up for five months!

Uncomfortable Ride

Saying farewell, I caught the BTS to Ari and then a bus on the rather convoluted route to Mo Chit minibus station. There was still time to catch the 10am service, an hour earlier than I had anticipated. Years working on the tube had taught me to always travel as early as possible to avoid later snags.

Unfortunately, my seat was on the wheel arch. Luckily, the one next to it was vacant, at least until the western suburbs when another bloke needed it. To be honest, it wasn’t a great trip. My new friend stank, some young kids were messing about, and a German behind me didn’t shut up. The perils of a lack of sleep had come home to roost.

Discovering Kanchanaburi

The good news was that the driver sped like he was on a promise at the other end and got us to the destination at 12:30. Part of my malaise had been caused by leaving my reading glasses at home. A decent pair was purchased near the bus station before I got on my skates.

It was time to discover a part of Kanchanaburi that my previous visits hadn’t seen. The paper mill museum looked closed with the works derelict, but never mind. The JEATH War Museum was behind it, so I wandered down to pay 50 THB for a look around.

Less We Forget

A stark reminder of the awful conditions the prisoners of war and locals had to endure was planted firmly in my mind as I popped next door for a quick call to Wat Chai Chumphon, a pretty temple with a great horse statue.

Song Kwae Maeklong Skywalk on my Google map looked interesting, so I headed down to the banks of the river Kwai. The eating options seemed plentiful overlooking the water, though I opted for the less salubrious place across Songkwai Road.

Daring Do

My pad krapow moo with friend egg and a water cost a princely 60 THB and was delicious. I was then over the road to pay another 60 THB to go up in the lift to stretch on the skywalk, where I got a bit of a shock.

I had not factored in that the walk was made from thick glass and, therefore, see-through. I must admit to being a little wobbly and hanging onto the rail while trying not to look down. I’m glad I did it for the views and experience, but I was also happy to return to solid ground.

Walk to the Stadium

A couple of young female Suphanburi fans were kind enough to take a photo of me while up there, before I headed across the Somdet Phra Sangharaja Yannasangwon Bridge and ended up in an area that looked like it was being prepared for some kind of car race.

Crossing Linchang-Khao Pun Road, I arrived at the main entrance to the vast grounds of Kanchanaburi Provincial Stadium. The young pair asked who I was cheering for, so I presume away fans were being charged more. The location was stunning, with branches of the river behind the main stand on the far side.

Ageing Venue

The stadium itself was showing signs of age, with a dated stand and a cinder track that was half-grown over. A couple of recent covers, one for away fans, had been added on the far side. The dragon livery was on show in plenty of places to make it feel like a real home.

Sitting down with a Coke on what was a steaming hot day with a small merciful breeze, I reflected on how local football had changed since my visit the previous April when Muangkhan United just missed out on a place in the League 2 playoffs.

Match Background

Kanchanaburi City FC also won promotion from the Thailand Amateur League to play in League 3 alongside the renamed Dragon Pathumwan. This meant that there were three professional clubs representing the city. Until Muangkhan pulled out due to financial issues.

Going into this game, DP Kanchanaburi, as the name was abbreviated, were midtable in the Western Region third tier, with Suphanburi relegated from League 1 the previous season, now three points from the top of League 2. They were the obvious favourites in this tie.

The Match

Either side saw efforts off target in the opening stages before the hosts took the lead on seven minutes when a cracking half volley cross shot from Nattapong Kumnaet flew into the far corner. Keeper Kiattisak Pimyoth didn’t stand a chance.

Up front, the Russian former North Bangkok University striker Sergei Tumasyan and partner Taiga Matsunaga were causing havoc with energy and clever play for the home team. It was Matsunaga who doubled the lead in nine minutes after a header from a corner was pushed away by Kiattisak for the Japanese forward to pounce.

A fine one-two between the forward partners saw a Matsunaga cross find Nattapong free in the box. His scuffed volley was fumbled by the keeper, who grabbed it at the second attempt before Sirichai Lamphuttha had a chance to put the ball away.

The visiting War Elephant halved the deficit at the halfway stage of the first period when a low shot from twenty-five yards by Nethithorn Kaewcharoen evaded home goalie Theerapat Sonjai and nestled in the bottom corner.

The Dragons responded through Teerapat Chadphuk, who went on a strong run, ending with him blasting over, at which point referee Boonsong Prachumrak took the players off for a short, timely drinks break.

Tumasyan, whose play I enjoyed when I saw him in action in the past, then went just wide with an effort from the edge of the box. I had to giggle when Suphanburi forward Prasit Pattanatanawisut was injured in a challenge that saw him roll off the pitch.

He was looking to get the offender a yellow card, but the ref told them to get on with the game while the player was treated. The free kick was taken as he wasn’t on the field with Pattanatanawisut up and about and ready to play again within a few seconds.

After the halftime break, the game seemed very open. Some excellent play from the all-action Matsunaga led to a desperate hoof clear. The visitors began to build momentum as Kanchanaburi defended wholeheartedly.

Frustrations Build

Kittipong Wongma shot over as the pressure intensified. Frustrations surfaced as a bit of needle crept in, which added to the dynamics as far as a neutral was concerned. Tumasyan knew every trick to crank up his opponents and was using plenty of them.

Kanchanaburi continued to defend well, with Matsunaga doing a great job taking the ball with him and causing problems. A deep cross was spilt by Theerapat, but he recovered to keep out an effort from Panutach Rungjang.

Match Reflections

As the game entered four minutes of additional time, substitute Anuwat Matarat tried a shot from range to try and extend the lead. And that was that. The Dragons deservedly won against a slightly weakened side from a division above.

After the game, I walked back to the bus station and managed to get a decent seat on the 6pm bus and get over an hour’s kip on the way back to Mo Chit. I was hungry and thirsty enough to head to my favourite Minburi establishment. A good end to a grand day out.