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KMITL (King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang) Stadium is a multi-purpose arena on the educational campus, located in Bangkok's Lad Krabang district.
The venue has hosted several Thai League clubs over the years. Thai Airways FC were the first in 2007, followed by Thai Honda in 2010, who also shared the facilities with Kasem Bundit University for a few games the same season.
Thai Honda returned from 2012 to 2014, while Rajpracha spent a couple of seasons there. The stadium has hosted the Lad Krabang Rugby 7s and the host university's football games. It was used in the Thai Semi-Pro League by Futera United and Police Ladkrabang.
It is a venue often asked about by those passing it after leaving the airport and heading on the motorway towards Pattaya.
My visits
Thai Honda 0 Samut Sakon 1
The venue has hosted several Thai League clubs over the years. Thai Airways FC were the first in 2007, followed by Thai Honda in 2010, who also shared the facilities with Kasem Bundit University for a few games the same season.
Thai Honda returned from 2012 to 2014, while Rajpracha spent a couple of seasons there. The stadium has hosted the Lad Krabang Rugby 7s and the host university's football games. It was used in the Thai Semi-Pro League by Futera United and Police Ladkrabang.
It is a venue often asked about by those passing it after leaving the airport and heading on the motorway towards Pattaya.
My visits
Thai Honda 0 Samut Sakon 1
Thai Regional League Bangkok Area - Sunday 8th April 2012
👨👨👧👧 150 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)
KMITL 2 Minburi City 4
Friendly - Tuesday 20th December 2022
👨👨👧👧 c20 🎟️ Free
I’d given up on seeing football until the New Year, with the Thai League having packed up for their festive break, but never say never. I’d noticed this friendly pop-up on my Facebook timeline, but didn’t think I’d go.
I started playing again with a group of Thais, including Big Suh, a cop who became my mate at my partner Teaw’s Brothers and Sisters Bar. He said there was a game, but not for the first time, it failed to materialise.
I still had a Plan B and plenty of time to implement it. I caught a songtaew from Minburi Market that turned off halfway down Rom Klao. These things happen. I was soon aboard a second such vehicle.
A student assured me it was heading to Lad Krabang. Sadly, the answer was lost in translation. We headed down the main road, turning right towards the city. It’s fair to say that I failed to see the funny side, but I soon restored my composure.
I crossed the road and soon boarded another songthaew in the right direction. I got out and walked past Wat Pluk Sattha. It led to the eastern rail line towards Pattaya. Walking along Chalong Krung 1 Alley allowed me to grab provisions at a convenience store.
The stretch had a good selection of street food, coffee shops, and mini markets, presumably to cater for the nearby students. I crossed the railway further up in familiar territory and heading to sit in the large stand.
There was no admission charge, and before long, a couple of Minburi officials recognised me and waved. I wanted to see them, to thank them for the cap, scarf, and face covering they had given me at an Amateur League game. I had bought a couple of shirts from them earlier.
The stand was a long way from the dry, bumpy pitch. Both the playing surface and facilities needed some TLC. City were preparing to enter the Semi-Pro League with hopes of winning a place in the Thai League 3. Their players wore trackers over their red shirts.
KMITL’s shirts didn't have numbers. It was a low-key encounter, but if the players and coaches got something from it, then it was surely a worthwhile exercise. They’re the important ones, not the spectators.
The hosts took the lead before Minburi restored parity with a good low shot. It was hard to concentrate with the players being so far away. Those exercising jogged around the track while the game was in progress which wasn't a help.
Overhead planes on their descent to Suvarnabhumi, and passing trains added to the spectacle, offering enough to keep anyone with a semblance of imagination entertained, even if they didn’t like football.
KMITL went back in front as the Minburi defence was opened like a can of beans. It was three attackers against a lone rearguard. The chance was well finished, but City again levelled things up just after the break with a good header.
It was nip and tuck. Both sides made plenty of substitutions. It wasn’t the greatest game, so I made a sound decision to walk around and miss the final ten minutes. City scored two late goals, which I missed. Not that it would ruin my day.
I was wary of being stranded trying to find a way home, so I headed along the track to Pra Chom Klao station and caught the final train of the day to Lat Krabang. The ride only took a few minutes, and there was no time to purchase a ticket.
I was soon in familiar territory on a songtaew heading back to base for a rest and shower, followed by refreshments with my good lady.
I’d given up on seeing football until the New Year, with the Thai League having packed up for their festive break, but never say never. I’d noticed this friendly pop-up on my Facebook timeline, but didn’t think I’d go.
I started playing again with a group of Thais, including Big Suh, a cop who became my mate at my partner Teaw’s Brothers and Sisters Bar. He said there was a game, but not for the first time, it failed to materialise.
I still had a Plan B and plenty of time to implement it. I caught a songtaew from Minburi Market that turned off halfway down Rom Klao. These things happen. I was soon aboard a second such vehicle.
A student assured me it was heading to Lad Krabang. Sadly, the answer was lost in translation. We headed down the main road, turning right towards the city. It’s fair to say that I failed to see the funny side, but I soon restored my composure.
I crossed the road and soon boarded another songthaew in the right direction. I got out and walked past Wat Pluk Sattha. It led to the eastern rail line towards Pattaya. Walking along Chalong Krung 1 Alley allowed me to grab provisions at a convenience store.
The stretch had a good selection of street food, coffee shops, and mini markets, presumably to cater for the nearby students. I crossed the railway further up in familiar territory and heading to sit in the large stand.
There was no admission charge, and before long, a couple of Minburi officials recognised me and waved. I wanted to see them, to thank them for the cap, scarf, and face covering they had given me at an Amateur League game. I had bought a couple of shirts from them earlier.
The stand was a long way from the dry, bumpy pitch. Both the playing surface and facilities needed some TLC. City were preparing to enter the Semi-Pro League with hopes of winning a place in the Thai League 3. Their players wore trackers over their red shirts.
KMITL’s shirts didn't have numbers. It was a low-key encounter, but if the players and coaches got something from it, then it was surely a worthwhile exercise. They’re the important ones, not the spectators.
The hosts took the lead before Minburi restored parity with a good low shot. It was hard to concentrate with the players being so far away. Those exercising jogged around the track while the game was in progress which wasn't a help.
Overhead planes on their descent to Suvarnabhumi, and passing trains added to the spectacle, offering enough to keep anyone with a semblance of imagination entertained, even if they didn’t like football.
KMITL went back in front as the Minburi defence was opened like a can of beans. It was three attackers against a lone rearguard. The chance was well finished, but City again levelled things up just after the break with a good header.
It was nip and tuck. Both sides made plenty of substitutions. It wasn’t the greatest game, so I made a sound decision to walk around and miss the final ten minutes. City scored two late goals, which I missed. Not that it would ruin my day.
I was wary of being stranded trying to find a way home, so I headed along the track to Pra Chom Klao station and caught the final train of the day to Lat Krabang. The ride only took a few minutes, and there was no time to purchase a ticket.
I was soon in familiar territory on a songtaew heading back to base for a rest and shower, followed by refreshments with my good lady.
Futera United 1 Dome FC 4
Thailand Semi-Pro League Bangkok - Saturday 16th March 2024
👨👨👧👧 134 🎟️ Free
Another opportunity to visit arose after Futera United booked KMITL for their home games in the Thai Semi-Pro League for a season. I had an enjoyable afternoon in good company.
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