The divisional title was lifted in 2010, without further progression in the playoffs, with the same story being repeated two years later, by which time 'United' had been added to their name.
The North Eastern Region title was secured in 2013, along with the playoffs, securing second-tier football in the Thai Division 1 League. Roi Et lasted just one season at that level. In 2016, the club left the Roi Et Province Stadium, which had been their home since formation, to move into the out-of-town Pankkee Arena.
A New Start
Rebranded as Roi Et CF to get around the ban, which ended in another poor showing. Roi Et PB United was founded in 2020, with some observers separating them from previous incarnations. I will leave you to decide.
Recent Years
Roi Et were residents back at the old stadium, where victories against Padriew City, Chattrakan City and Dome FC saw them crowned national Semi-Pro champions. Natan Oliveira top-scored for the White Rabbits on their return to national competition
Former Sisaket United head coach Narongthanaphorn 'Pat' Choeithaisongchodok was appointed at Roi Et in October 2025. Tono, a famous artist and actor, joined the managerial team at the club a few months later.
My visits
Roi Et PB United 4 Dome FC 1
Pre Match
There were plenty of beer and food options at the stadium, including, incredibly, a good old-fashioned chuck wagon. We got chatting to the western owner, who said he’d just purchased it, and he was giving his Thai wife a trial on the griddle. They dispensed burgers, hot dogs, and bacon rolls, which were popular among the few Westerners present.
The Match
The home favourites went ahead when a cross was poorly dealt with by a weak defensive header. The ball fell to the lively Rewat Khumbun, who found the corner of the net after ten minutes. Just how the ‘White Squirrels’ failed to add any more goals up to the break only they will know, while Dome gradually got into proceedings.
Shortly after the interval, a tremendous Roi Et move looked destined to end in number two, but the goal-bound shot was blocked on the line by an attacking player. It could well have been the turning point as the away side were level after fifty-four minutes. An enthusiastic crowd got behind the team, with many wearing replica team shirts.
A tremendous shot from Thanchot Sonsri swerved in the air to beat keeper Chalermkeat Pootoya all ends up, going in off the far post. The strength and composure of the Dome side pointed to them having a real chance of winning, with the physical build of Peerapat Kantha putting in a good shift.
However, Roi Et found a second wind and came back strongly. An excellent finish from Thonohai Ratohai put them back into the lead with just over twenty minutes remaining. The lead was extended when a curling effort from the edge of the box from Sakda Manchart continued out of the reach of the Dome custodian, Atituch Chankar, and into the net.
Both keepers made superb stops, while the hosts continued to miss some real opportunities in the game, which was end-to-end and became extremely stretched. The icing on the cake, as far as the home fans were concerned, came in the third minute of stoppage time when Sakda netted at the far post from a low free kick.
By coincidence, the food wagon owner also supplied meat to Leo’s in Sisaket, where we headed after the game, passing an astonishingly large number of bars on one road as we left Roi Et. There was time for a couple of pints of Guinness on our return before my driver, Uan, arrived to take me back into the wilderness.
Friendship Through Football
My wife, Taew, and I drove the three hours to Roi Et, where we had booked a hotel for the night. We were meeting Dale, who edits A Thai Football Podcast, and his good lady, Nui, as well as someone whom I'd spoken to on the phone but had yet to meet in person.
As ever, it was much more than just the game. I’d been put in touch with Oggi, a York City fan who supports Roi Et and lives around three hours away, when looking to put a cricket side together for a forthcoming tournament. We had a great day, helped massively by having local knowledge.
Pre Match
Oggi directed us to an excellent restaurant called Keaw Shop before the game, serving good Thai and Western food and cheap beer. We dropped the car back at the hotel and walked the twenty minutes to the stadium, traditional style. The ladies said the Thais passing us on motorbikes would have thought we were crazy.
The Action, Such as it Was
It was no means
a classic played between the hosts who hadn’t pushed on as expected
since promotion, and the league leaders, who immediately
looked to be bigger and stronger when the sides lined up for the anthems.
Chances were at a minimum. A Roi Et striker dallied when offered a chance in the second half before they had a goal ruled out. The Udon keeper, Adisak Boonthawi, spilt a cross when he collided with one of his own players, with the loose ball being put in the net. The ref decided a foul had been committed.
The only goal came three minutes from the end. The home defender failed to close down sub Jhakkarin Sitthichan, who shot from a narrow angle. Goalie Chalermkeat Pootoya pushed the powerful shot inside his near post. Poor keeping and defending. The powerful Finnish forward, Sakari Tukiainen, had a decent game for Udon.
Stadium Highlight
A highlight at the stadium, where, as in most venues, we could take beers into our seats, was meeting a gent called Warong Thiuthas, who stood for election for the Presidency of the Thai FA. He lost the vote 86-2 to the lady known as Madame Pang, who has recently also been made FIFA’s regional development boss.
He asked to have a selfie with us, which turned out to be charming company, and a former Port FC and national team player to boot, now with an administrative role with the FA.
Post Match
After the game, we walked just over ten minutes on foot to Suki Lao Restaurant. An incredible, huge place, some covered, some outdoor, with a live band and large screens showing sport. Another expat, Glen, and his wife Ta, joined our group as we chewed the fat, ate, drank and enjoyed each other's company until gone 1am.
Absolutely perfect, followed by a drive home on Monday with a stop at a brilliant Chinese/Thai restaurant in Yasothon to pick up food to take home. My favourite type of Thai weekend. Discovering somewhere new with my wife, loads of food and drink, great company and a game of football.
Further Watching
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, including the one above, which I made during our visit to Roi Et.
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