Muangthong United

 

Muangthong United FC 

Ground: Thunderdome Stadium

Capacity: 15,000

Club Founded: 1989

League: Thai League 2 (current level)

Once a major power in Thai football, Muangthong United have recently fallen on hard times.

This page is for the club's history and my first match visit to the Thunderdome. The games I attended from 2014 have their own page.

A Potted History of Muangthong United

Early Years

The club were formed in 1989 under the ownership of Siam Sports Syndicate. The 'Twin Qilins' joined the third tier of Thai football in 2007 as Muang Thong Nong Jork United, winning the title and promotion in their inaugural season. Muangthong built relationships with both Arsenal and Lierse to assist with their development.

They won the Thai Division One title and were promoted to the Thai Premier League (TPL), as Yaya Soumahoro and Jacques Tioye rattled in the goals. In their first season in the TPL, United were crowned champions after Attaphol Buspakom replaced Surasak Tansurat as coach, when the owners invested in the playing squad.

Champions of Thailand

The feat was repeated in 2010, as Dagno Siaka ended as top scorer for a second consecutive season. The club also began to collate some fine FA Cup runs. In 2010, they lost 2-1 to Chonburi in the final. The following year, Buriram PEA won 1-0 after extra time.

The stadium was being developed as part of the new Muang Thong Thani community. It was unusual for a football venue in Thailand as it had no running track around the pitch. Originally called Thunderdome Stadium, it became Yamaha Stadium, later the SCG Stadium through sponsorship deals. 

Robbie Fowler

Robbie Fowler was appointed player-manager after replacing Henrique Calisto, who had succeeded Roberto Carlos, who had replaced René Desaeyere in a chaotic season. Siam Cement Group became a major backer of the club in February 2012. 

Slaviša Jokanović, the former Red Star Belgrade, Chelsea, and Serbia star, joined the club as head coach. He led the side to the TPL title. Teerasil Dangda, who would become Thai football's biggest star, scored the goals.

Relative Duldrums

Winfried Schäfer took over as team boss following the success, only to be replaced by the returning Desaeyere, whose side ended as runners-up. Scott Cooper lasted a short while before Dragan Talajić replaced him when Mario Gjurovski top-scored.

The 2014 campaign was marred by a nine-point deduction handed out to both Muangthong and Singhtarua following rioting between the two sets of fans. The derby at the SCG Stadium saw away fans banned from the fixture for nine years. The video on my YouTube Channel explains the rivalry.

Champions Again

Led by skipper Datsakorn Thonglao, the team finished as runners-up to runaway champions Buriram United the following season. Muangthong also lost 3-1 to the same opponents in the FA Cup final at Supachalasai Stadium on Boxing Day, with Cleiton Silva the latest fans' hero.

Totchtawan Sripan came in as head coach. His team, spurred on by Silva's goals, became league champions in 2016, backing up the triumph by also sharing the League Cup with Buriram United after the final was postponed following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Further Honours

The team advanced from the group stages in the 2017 AFC Champions League, losing to Kawasaki Frontale of Japan in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Teerasil was coming to the fore on the pitch, inspiring his teammates as he captained the side.

United ended league runners-up in 2017, with Brazilian star Leandro Assumpção leading the scoring after being signed from Sisaket. The League Cup was won with a 2-0 victory over Chiangrai United, with goals from Peerapat Notchaiya and Teerasil.

Financial Cuts

Teerasil departed for Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Heberty took over in attack. Radovan Ćurčić replaced Sripan, before Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok succeeded him. Yoon Joong-hwan was the next to be handed the role. 

SCG ended its association with the club, as player investment declined. Players departed, and stadiums were often empty because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In October 2020, team boss Alexandre Gama was replaced by former playing star Mario Gjurovski.

Upturn in Fortunes

The Macedonian coach had the top scorer, Brazilian Willian Popp, at his disposal. Miloš Joksić was appointed as interim head coach a month into the 2023-24 season. Muangthong reached the League Cup final, where they lost to BG Pathum United. Former hero Teerasil scored the stoppage-time winner. 

Gino Lettieri was appointed head coach in July 2024. His side reached the FA Cup final, losing 3-2 to Buriram United at Thammasat Stadium, when Poramet Arjvirai netted twice. 

Relegation

Mario Ivanković replaced Rangsan Viwatchaichok as head coach in time for the second half of the 2025-26 campaign. His spell was short-lived. Jose Alves Borges replaced him. Muangthong United were relegated on the final day of the season following a 3-0 defeat at Sukhothai.

My First Visit

SCG Muangthong United 2 Bangkok Glass 2

Thai Premier League - Wednesday 28th March 2012

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 15,000 🎟️ 150 THB (£3.60)

Pre-Match Prep

I had been keen to take in more matches while holidaying in Thailand for some time. Despite visiting the country often enough, I always found myself busy with my cricket commitments when football was being played. After taking the plunge by joining Twitter, the App opened all manner of information. A German/Thai website and having an account were most useful. 

The guys running it helped me gather information, which was much appreciated. My luck was in, as there was a full midweek programme during the week I put aside for sightseeing and doing whatever I wanted. The standout match was the clash at SCG Stadium on Wednesday evening.

I returned from a lovely time in Kanchanaburi, to the Admiral Premier Hotel in Bangkok, where my good friend Steve was waiting for me. We headed round to The Crossbar for another top-notch meal and to meet up with old friends before heading off to the stadium. 

Journey to the Match

Steve had been to the stadium a couple of years earlier with visiting relations. The match was abandoned after the pitch became waterlogged after just a few minutes of play. They didn't receive a refund but were offered free admission to the rearranged game.

We walked down Sukhumvit Road to what we thought would be the easiest place to grab a taxi to the stadium. About ten drivers turned down the fare, and I was starting to get concerned when I pointed out to Steve that a car had an MTU scarf in it. 

When the young driver lowered his window, we asked if he was going to the game. He was, and even better, he didn't mind us getting a lift, or at least we think that's what he meant! The fan was called Fiat, and he lived in Bangkok but had a season ticket for MTU. His English team was Manchester United.

Fiat was a true gentleman. I think he enjoyed chatting with us about football, in particular the English Premier League. He explained why taxis declined the fare. The SCG Stadium was across the road from the Impact Arena, Bangkok's biggest exhibition centre and indoor concert arena. 

They had put on a gig featuring one of Thailand's biggest names and were holding the Motor Show at the same time, as a full house was expected over the road for the football. Unbelievable! The traffic was horrendous and at a standstill for much of the 20km journey. Fiat was growing increasingly anxious about missing much of the match. 

Kick-Off Approaches

Time was ticking by, and we still couldn't see the stadium. At last, we crawled down the slip road with the floodlights in view, but the jams were as bad. Fiat told us to get out. He still had to find somewhere to park. He was a legend. He refused any money and wouldn't even take anything for the toll road tariffs.

We dodged in and out of traffic to reach the stadium and then the ticket office. Kick-off was delayed for the crowds to arrive. Steve said we wanted tickets for the South End, which was terracing. He came back shaking his head. We could only get in down the side. I muttered that we'd be in with the old folks. How wrong I was.

Vibrant Atmosphere

A young lady took our ticket stubs and stamped our wrists, so we could go back out if we required to use any of the facilities. Our tickets, which I later discovered had 'complimentary' stamped on them, didn't have a designated row or seat. We somehow spotted two seats together and were greeted with warm smiles by the locals. 

A couple of Westerners were in the row in front. More late arrivals sat in the aisles. It was soon apparent that they were selling more tickets than they officially had space for! As for my assumption about the older folk. Well, we must have been pushing being the eldest there. 

There were some real youngsters, but most fans were between fourteen and thirty, of both sexes. They loved making a noise. Our seats were level with the halfway line in what I thought was a lovely football stadium. Further up the touchline was the away fans section, where we reckoned around 2,500 Bangkok Glass fans were crammed in. 

To our right was the South End, where the main Ultras stood and made a real noise. The other end was also for standing fans. Every space was packed. The stewards and security let people sit and stand where they could without interfering. God, it was refreshing. 

We were expecting a convincing home win, and I predicted 4-1, as MTU had hammered Thai Port 5-1 at home in their weekend fixture. However, Glass had not read the script, and they played the better football of the two sides.

A video from my visit

Many more Thai football videos on Rob’s Roving Sports Report

The Match Action

MTU missed an absolute sitter after some great approach play and a layback, but Glass also created plenty. United spurned another opportunity before the visitors took the lead after a good ball sent the wide man through. He laid it square for Thai international striker Teeratep Winothai to slot home to send 'The Glass Rabbit' fans wild with delight.

The home side went in level at the break when a very soft penalty was awarded. Dutch forward Adnan Barakat went over a defender's leg in the style of Ashley Young. It looked terrible from our vantage point. He got up and put the penalty away himself. 

At half-time, I went to look for refreshments. It was still very warm around 9pm. I went behind the away section. I saw an occasional 'farang', but the demographics were much the same as in our section. 

The away fans' Bunny Girls Dance Team distracted me from queuing, but I was soon being served two large cups of Coke for around 50p. I had to chuckle at the elevated expressway perched near the away section. It would have been chaos in the UK amongst those with evil intent.

I found my way back for the second half, in which Glass continued to play better football. Too many players, particularly the Africans on show, fell over far too frequently for our liking. The visitors regained the lead after a clever short corner routine left Wonothai with a free header, which he didn't waste. 

A fine run and shot from French import Flavien Michelini brought the best from the MTU goalie to keep them in the game. After gaining control, MTU drew level with a fine shot from Ivorian, Mohamed Koné. At full time we headed to the club shop, where plenty of merchandise was available. It was all reasonably priced, at least to my income. 

A Look Around at Full-Time

I settled for a couple of excellently produced match programmes at just 10 THB each. MTU was a bit too like Man Utd for my personal taste. They were slick and professional, but I always preferred the underdogs. Their style of play hadn't endeared me to them either, but I'd be back at the SCG Stadium if I had half a chance.

We went into the South End for photos. Most of the crowd were still in, applauding their heroes as they warmed down. We didn't hang around for long as we needed to grab a taxi back into the city. We got one quite quickly, but the driver wanted 400 THB to take us back to Asoke. I told Steve I'd pay. It was worth it and far easier than standing around for another hour.

Post-Match Fun

Within forty minutes, we were walking up our favourite little avenue and sitting outside The Moonshine Joint, drinking and chatting with pals over for the cricket as well as the excellent Bangkok Post sports reporter, Roger and the bar's owner from Newcastle, NSW, Steve. 

We sat there watching the world go by, drinking multiple bottles of San Miguel Lite with lots of cricketing friends. I was in a wonderful place that evening! The match and experience were amazing and great value for money. I would definitely do it again if I received the opportunity. 

Further Reading

A dedicated page for my visits to Muangthong United from 2014, has descriptions and lots of images and videos.