Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima FC

Ground: 80th Birthday Stadium

Capacity: 25,000

Club Founded: 1999

League: Thai League 2 (current level)

The word potential is often uttered regarding underachieving Thai football clubs, but none has more of it than the Swatcats of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Swatcats - The Early Years

The team began life as a club in the third-tier Provincial League, playing at Nakhon Ratchasima Municipal Stadium, where they finished in mid-table in their first two seasons.
The club gets its nickname in tribute to the small domestic cat of Korat, which is another name for the city. 

A move to the nearby town of Pak Chong to play in their Municipal Stadium followed in 2007, while their regular home was being refurbished as the club was given a place in the second-level Thai Division 1 League. They soon dropped back down under head coach Man Chantanam, before the club returned to their home city.

Move to a New Stadium

The league was extended for the 2009 season as NRMFC became a member of the Regional League Northeast, as Wichan Chaonsri took over team affairs, and the club moved to the new 80th Birthday Stadium on the edge of the city.

The move paid dividends, as Korat finished runners-up, while also reaching the quarter-final of the FA Cup. The side gradually improved their league placings, with Tewesh Kamolsin in charge of the team. Promotion to the Division 1 League was achieved through the playoffs under the new head coach, Arjhan Srong-ngamsub, in 2011.

Promotion to the Top-Flight

Promphong Kransumrong topped the scoring charts before Japanese star Yusuke Kato took over in 2013. The crowds began to flock to the 80th Birthday Stadium in 2014 as Japanese coach Sugao Kambe led Swatcat to the league title after taking over from Ruither Moraira, under the captaincy of Kraikiat Beadtaku, as Ivan Bošković banged in the goals.

NRMFC finished eighth in their Thai Premier League debut season, with German striker Björn Lindemann topping the charts before the Serbian Miloš Joksić arrived as head coach for the 2016 campaign. Marco Tagbajumi’s goals helped the club continue to consolidate in the top-flight.

The Thai League 1 Years

Brazilian forward Paulo Rangel became the locals' new favourite before the signing of compatriot Leandro Assumpção replaced him in 2018. He was the top scorer in consecutive seasons before Dennis Murillo became the latest Brazilian to lead the forward line as the team ended in ninth spot in 2020-21 under new head coach Teerasak Po-on.

The signing of defender Charlie Clough would prove to be a valuable and popular acquisition while Kwame Karikari scored regularly as Nakhon Ratchasima reached the final of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 to Buriram United after extra time in Pathum Thani, with Kevin Blackwell as head coach. He departed in February 2023 to be replaced by the returning Teerasak.

Ups and Downs

The team was relegated, but the owners kept faith and were rewarded as Swatcat lifted the Thai League 2 title in 2023-24 with Deyvison Fernandes putting away the goals. Issara Sritaro was appointed as head coach in May 2025 after Teerasak had departed to Chonburi following a disappointing season.

Surapong Kongthep was appointed as head coach in December 2025. His side was relegated a few months later.

My visit

Nakhon Ratchasima 0 Police Tero 0

Thai League 1 - Friday 22nd June 2018) Thai League 1 (att: 2,630)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,630 🎟️ 200 THB (£4.80)

My twelve-day break was in its penultimate day. It had gone far too quickly as I’d had an absolute ball. It was difficult to remember feeling as content for as long a period. The people of Isan and the outskirts of Bangkok had been absolutely superb.

A Holiday to Remember

The Thai League had played their part with the fixture schedule, especially with what was my sixth and final game of the tour, moving it to Friday night for live TV to Friday night. Korat’s opponents were also the perfect choice.

My friends from Scarborough, Sean and Tracy, were living in Bangkok and had adopted BEC Tero Sasana as their team when they played near their home in Minburi. The couple had stuck with the club when it merged to become Police Tero.

Both were regulars at home games and several matches on the road. Tracy was busy during the week, but Sean was thankfully making the trip north. It was their help and the kindness of the visiting fans that made attending the match so stress-free.

Sean travelled in a minibus with some fans, who were to give me a ride back to Minburi after the game, which was greatly appreciated. It saved some real logistical headaches as I was to fly back home the following evening.

Discovering Nakhon Ratchasima

I’d arrived in Nakhon Ratchasima the previous teatime by bus from Khon Kaen. It reminded me a little of Chiang Mai, albeit on a smaller scale, with its moat protecting the old town and its remaining walls and gates.

My hotel, Sakol Khorat, just contained the bare essentials but was fair enough for the price. Absolutely no English was spoken by anyone at the basic reception. I had wanted to see if I could pay a surcharge to keep the room until 4pm the following day, as I’d only booked one night.

I reckoned that would make sense, allowing me to sightsee on Friday morning before having a siesta and shower before heading to the game. The communications were never going to work, so instead I booked an extra night.

Nakhon Ratchasima seemed a pretty place. I was only a couple of minutes' walk from the moat and the ‘Gateway to Isan’, Suranaree Monument, along with lots of other historical reminders in Suan Rak Park.

I took a wander at dusk, trying to get my bearings before heading to the George and Dragon Pub, where I enjoyed some excellent comfort food and beers while watching the Australia v Denmark World Cup game.

The pub was tidy if lacking frills, but there was something about it I liked. There was a lack of pretence, and the young Thai ladies were friendly and pretty without being over the top. I felt comfortable. I decided to try another place, a ten-minute walk away, with good online reviews.

I noted the following for the Monkey Bar on my Facebook page after my visit: "Chilled music vibes and a nice bar. Unfortunately, a bit too cool for school with youngish Americans at the bar vying for membership to the Tall Story Club. Wow, I had 10 beers & couldn’t remember the next day, one proclaimed. They’d better not come to the cricket at North Marine Road!"

And that was about right on reflection. I had one beer and headed back, stopping at the excellent Drink UP, which was Thai chic with great background music, a fridge with an excellent selection of bottled beer, a large screen for the football and a live band.

A Sociable Evening

It was here that I got talking to a Finnish fella who asked me for advice on the city. I suggested the George and Dragon next door. After a couple of beers, I joined him as the France v Peru game was in progress.

He was good company and rather keen to get through a bottle of whisky he’d bought and then paid a corkage fee for while buying the bar mixers. He seemed rather keen on Udon Thani before he was due to head to Hua Hin to work on a wildlife project, washing elephants, would you believe?

I turned in at midnight, despite the temptation to look for places still open. The next morning, I returned to the pub. Sometimes, a proper fry-up is very tempting when offered in exotic climes. It certainly worked for me.

A good walk saw me finding many oriental buildings, which were very photogenic. The large Klang Plaza air-conditioned mall was a lifesaver in the sweltering conditions. The massage chairs offered me a brilliant service as I sat there relaxing and watching the world go by.

I reflected on what an amazing trip I’d experienced in several new locations. There was little doubt that I’d be trying to revisit some of them. Maybe as a resident in a place I really loved and felt happy in? After a siesta, I made it a hat trick of appearances at the George and Dragon after checking out of the hotel.

Khao Tom Moo was an excellent pre-match meal before one of the lovely staff flagged down a tuk-tuk to take me to the stadium. It was a fair old hike to the 80th Birthday Stadium. It is the centrepiece of a sports complex built for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. It coincided with the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which is where it got its name.

A Fine Facility

The complex also had a huge lake, where water skiing was taking place, an aquatic centre, a warm-up track, an indoor hall, a velodrome for cycling, a gym and several tennis courts. It was very impressive with parkland and lots of parking facilities. 

Its only fault was that it was the location, which undoubtedly had an effect on attendances, particularly when Swatcat were having a poor run. I knew that the club was well supported, as I was impressed with their following at an away game at Krabi way down south.

I was early, so I had a walk to try and work out where the away fans section would be. Typically, I went to the wrong end! I made my way back around to where some Police Tero fans had already arrived.

Pre-Match Build-Up

They seemed a friendly bunch, and I got talking to one gent who seemed intrigued by why the big ferang was sat outside the away turnstiles. I explained that I was waiting for a friend. The club had brought their mobile club shop, which is allowed in Thailand.

More and more fans were arriving. I only expected a handful to make the journey. In the end, there must have been pushing around 200. A minibus arrived and parked down the steps from me. Sean got out and introduced me to his new friends.

They were all friendly, but that was no surprise. It was a rarity to find anyone who didn’t smile on the trip. I assisted in helping carry their drums and banners up the steps. My ticket cost more than the home fans paid, which was the norm in Thailand.

Friends Old and New

Sean explained that many Tero fans had travelled from Myanmar to cheer on their favourite player, Aung Thu, who wore the number 10 shirt while on loan from Yadanarbon. My mate was wearing an old original Police shirt that I’d bought several years previously, but seriously overestimated my chances of ever fitting into it!

I dumped my rucksack in the van and bought a Tero mug from the shop. I did laugh when I saw the name on the drum. It’s fair to say I’m not a huge fan of them at games, so the irony wasn’t lost on me. A well-built lady steward enjoyed a laugh as she searched us going in. Our view was from behind the goal. 

 

The running track surrounding the pitch meant we were quite a way back. The stadium, like the city, reminded me of Chiang Mai with its continuous rake of seating and a Main Stand with a curved roof covering the VIP areas. The Korat vocal support was divided between behind the goal and down the far side.

Both teams were at the wrong end of the table going into the game, with Tero especially needing points in their relegation scrap. Five teams were to go down at the end of the season, unless, of course, the authorities changed their minds!

Nakhon Ratchasima started the better of the sides, but I’d yet to see a home win in my previous five matches. I confidently predicted Tero would leave with at least a point despite having seen the hosts' class in their 3-0 League Cup win at Sisaket nine days earlier.

The Action

The visitor's keeper, Nont Muangngam, also made a fine save at the near post to keep out Jakkit Niyomsuk. Aung Thu was certainly a class act for ‘The Silver Shields Dragons’ as he pulled the strings in midfield. He fizzed over a low free kick that Niran Hansson only just failed to get a decisive touch on, as his own Burmese fan club sang out his name. 

Muangngam kept out a weak Niyomsuk effort as the game ebbed and flowed. An Aung Thu corner led to a volleyed effort from French skipper Michaël N'dri that struck the outside of the post. A long-range shot from Tero’s Santipharp Chan-ngom deflected off home defender Pralong Sawandee and landed just under the bar, forcing Samuel Cunningham to tip over.

Half-Time Fun

A fine Korat move progressed for Ekkachai Rittiphan to set up Leandro Assumpção, who took a touch without the ball touching the deck and then volleyed against the inside of the post and away. The whistle blew for half-time as I told Sean I was nipping out for a beer. He was most adamant that I wasn’t.

He’d arranged for me to go onto the pitch for the traditional halftime presentation between the fans. I was most nervous as I joined the procession around the track. Sean thought it was hilarious. We got some comments from the stand before we lined up, and gifts were exchanged as we all posed for photos with sponsors and the mascots.

The Tero match highlights package captured my moment out in front of the fans. I eventually did get my beer, even though it was a far longer walk than I anticipated. The stall was behind the home fans on the far side. The decent-sized away following had caught Korat out, who didn’t bother opening anything by our gate.

Leandro missed an absolute sitter when heading wide, unmarked on the six-yard line soon after the restart. Shortly after, a shot was blocked and found its way to Rittiphan, whose effort at the back post was kept out by the body of Muangngam.

At the other end, a fine move almost sent in Police Tero’s Marcos Vinícius, who was putting in a tireless shift. Leandro continued to look the most likely to score for Korat as the game became stretched on the beautiful playing surface.

He then set up Nebojša Marinković with a clever cushioned pass, but the Tero stopper was equal to it once again. Leandro had a header go just over the bar after taking a deflection off a defender.

The visitors had moments of their own going forward, most notably when Nikola Petković controlled well and crossed for N'dri, who saw his fierce effort superbly kept out by Cunningham.

The Frenchman set up Aung Thu with a beautiful cushioned pass. The diminutive midfielder smashed the ball home, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. The game ended blank, but I thought it had been decent entertainment.

Fans and Players Unite

The Tero fans were certainly happy, as the players came to offer their thanks while standing to attention, listening to a rendition of the club song to the tune of ‘I am Sailing’. I really liked the Tero support, but they somehow managed to make Rod Stewart sound good; no mean achievement with that song.

We collected the banners and folded everything away, taking the drum stands and instruments down to the bus before heading away. I nodded off before being woken at the services, where a large chicken portion was just what the doctor ordered.

Minibus Adventure

The journey back seemed smooth enough from the bits that I saw before coming around on a Don Muang Tollway. I recognised the road by the Skytrain construction. We then went to Police Tero's Boonyachinda Stadium to drop off the gear and most of our party.

Fortunately, our driver lived in Minburi, so he dropped us off at the bottom of Soi Sam Wa, where a taxi came along in time to take us the rest of the way. It was about 2am when I crashed out at Steve and Fah’s.

It had been a long day to round off a marvellous adventure. I couldn’t have done it in better company, for which I owe Sean and the welcoming Tero fans a favour if ever they are stuck getting to a game over in the UK!

If you have enjoyed reading this article, you might wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles. It includes my tour and visit to Nakhon Ratchasima with some match coverage.