Khon Kaen United FC is a professional football club, representing the Isan city of the same name in northeast Thailand, who was formed on the 13th of October 1994, to set up competition to the longer established Khon Kaen FC.
The ‘King Cobras’ were awarded a place in the third tier Division 2 Northeast of the Thai League in 2015, under coach Thongchai Sukkoki. The side won the league title to progress to the Champions League round. A 4-1 victory against Rayong sealed promotion as Samuel Kwawu led the scoring chart.
However, things were not going to plan off the pitch for the side playing their home games at Khon Kaen Sports School Stadium. They were suspended during the 2016 Thai League 2 season, in which Dave Booth and then Ljubomir Ristovski had spells in charge of the team, with eight games remaining owing to a criminal enquiry.
By now United had moved into the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) Stadium to share with their city rivals. The FA of Thailand decided that United could rejoin their competition in 2018 as members of Thai League 4 North Eastern Region with Apichai Pholpitak installed as head coach.
Capistrano Jardel put away the goals as his side ended as runners-up and then reached the playoff final in the Champions League, which ended in an aggregate defeat to Nakhonpathom United, but promotion was still claimed to Thai League 3 Upper. By now, the club was starting to attract larger support in their home city.
Sarayuth Chaikamdee had been put in charge of the team before being later replaced by Patipat Robroo in 2019 as the T3 Upper title was won, thanks in part to the goals of Natan Oliveira. The league changed its calendar to that of European competition in time for the 2020-21 season.
Khon Kaen United appointed Sugao Kambe as coach before he was temporarily replaced by former boss Patipat. The side finished fourth as Paulo Conrado put away the chances. This was enough to reach the playoffs, where Phrae United and then Nakhonpathom United were defeated on aggregate after penalties.
This was during the period of Covid-19 restrictions meaning the games were played in empty stadiums before fans returned in 2021-22 as the team played in Thai League 1. The goals of Ibson Melo helped consolidate their status in a season that saw Carlos Eduardo Parreira coach the side.
Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok replaced the Brazilian in November 2022 before Patipat returned for a third spell at the helm a few weeks later as the King Cobras avoided relegation by one place.
Ekalak Thong-am was the new coach from October 2023 before Tana Chanabut took charge of the team in April 2024. An improved eighth place ensued with Brenner top scoring. Srdan Trailovic arrived as the new team boss in September 2024.
Khon Kaen United FC will play in Thai League 1 in the 2024-25 season.
My visit
Khon Kaen United 0 Nakhonpathom United 0 (Friday 20th September 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 2,246)
There are occasions when I head to a game and I am reminded of the time when I fell in love with football, when conditions were treacherous, but the match went on regardless, cheered on by passionate fans. This was one.
It is fair to say that neither side produced too much quality football on the waterlogged surface, which already had puddles when they kicked off, but they gave it everything they’d got. As often happens when both teams are desperate for points in what was an early relegation six pointer, it ended up all square.
Taku Ito for the visitors forced Khon Kaen keeper Chirawat Wangthaphan to save with his feet in the only effort on target from either outfit in the first half. Conditions got worse as the rain increased after the break. Nakhonpathom under new head coach Sirisak Yodyatthai had a spell on top in the second half when they looked like they might claim all three points.
The ball stopped at times preventing a scoring opportunity while both keepers made saves within twenty seconds as the encounter became stretched. Valdo Eggres for the away side saw his effort parried away by Chirawat after a deflected cross from Phanuphong Phonsa had been clawed out by Wattanachai Strathongjan.
Taku was then denied with twelve minutes remaining by a fine tip over from Chirawat, in what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter, quite possibly aided by the conditions. However, whoever had to wash the kits after the game could well have disagreed.
At the other end Wattanachai spilled a shot from Steve Ambri, then smothered the follow up from Parndecha Ngernprasert before Niphitpon hadchan saw his effort blocked as chaos reigned. Massive credit must be given to referee Natee Choosawun who used his common sense throughout.
It was a fun packed day away from the match too, as my wife Taew drove us to the city where we stayed overnight at the Ingtara Hotel. We enjoyed a fine meal at a favourite chain restaurant which involved plenty of adventure trying to find a parking spot.
We met Dale and Nui at the rooftop bar as the weather began to close in before Grab took us to the stadium, where vendors were struggling in the weather, with a crowd nearly less than average turned out. We met Lyle, a regular contributor to A Thai Football Podcast, along with his wife and friends.
Our ladies decided we were OK to go on the open terrace. The ticket a pricey 160 Baht, with drinks available once inside to take upstairs. The guys on drums and megaphone were giving it rock all to try and rouse the home support, with the away fans in the far distance behind the goal.
Taew won some kind of stuffed cushion come toy in the halftime draw. The ladies headed off to the far side to collect the prize not to be seen again. They used their common sense and stayed under the cover downstairs.
Dale via a brolly and me in a poncho braved it out before we all adjourned to Yokotai Restaurant, where we’d enjoyed pre-match festivities before the Khon Kaen v Sisaket United game the previous year.
A live musician was very amiable, leading to an extremely long evening involving pool and karaoke. Our carriage took us away at 3am. It was a lot of fun. The next day saw myself and good lady appear late on parade.
A wonderful khao man meal near the hotel set us up to travel to our friends house before continuing to Nongbua Pitchaya v Uthai Thani.
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