Thai Royal Army FC
Ground: Bangkok-Thonburi University Stadium
Capacity: 1,500
Club Founded: 2011
League: Thai League 3 West (current level)
When Army United FC was dissolved, after the change of Monarch led to the withdrawal of state backing of the services’ professional sides, it offered the opportunity for Thai Royal Army FC to continue in the Thai League to represent the forces.
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| BTU Stadium, Thonburi |
Club Background
The Khǒr Royal Cup was lifted in 2014, resulting in promotion to the third-tier Regional League Division 2 in the Bangkok Area division. 2016 saw Army being placed in the Thai League 3 (T3) Lower Region following league reconstruction. Col. Somsakul Vijitraparb was put in charge of the team for the following season, as Kraisorn Sriyan scored the goals.
Nattapong Kumnate and Noppadon Kasaen both weighed in with goals under head coach Lt. Adul Chumsaeng. The Thai League was reorganised ahead of the 2020-21 season, with Army being placed in T3 Bangkok. Chaiwat Nakeiam was appointed as team boss, as the pandemic-affected season saw the club play their home games at Nakhon Nayok Stadium.
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| Thai Army Stadium, Bangkok |
Nattapong Kumnate and Noppadon Kasaen both weighed in with goals under head coach Lt. Adul Chumsaeng. The Thai League was reorganised ahead of the 2020-21 season, with Army being placed in T3 Bangkok. Chaiwat Nakeiam was appointed as team boss, as the pandemic-affected season saw the club play their home games at Nakhon Nayok Stadium.
A shortage of goals became a regular feature in the seasons that followed. Coach Chaiwat marshalled his troops in a disciplined fashion to not concede goals either. The 2023-24 season saw the team move to Bangkok-Thonburi University (BTU) Stadium.
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| The Main Entrance, Thai Army Stadium, Bangkok |
My visit
at Army Stadium, Bangkok
Army FC 1 Buriram United 7
Army FC 1 Buriram United 7
Thai League Cup Round One - Sunday 10th April 2016
👨👨👧👧 c1,800 🎟️ 60 THB (£1.40)
Pre Match
The 29th Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes had been a huge success, and I arrived back in Bangkok in good form, if a little weary. After checking into the Sukhumvit 23 Suites, it was time to meet up with my good pal Steve for pre-match refreshments.
The waitresses at The Clubhouse were most helpful in writing down directions for the taxi in Thai, so after we’d had a beer and food, it was time to head to the stadium. The girls had done well, as the driver recognised our destination immediately.
Around thirty minutes later, we were dropped off by the away fans' driveway at the Thai Army Stadium, far earlier than we’d anticipated. It was immediately obvious that the visitors would have a healthy following, as many Buriram natives now lived in the capital.
We wandered around and bought a ticket, which was far cheaper than it advertised. Perhaps this was because it was a cup match? I know we received what seemed to be excellent value for an all-top-flight clash.
The waitresses at The Clubhouse were most helpful in writing down directions for the taxi in Thai, so after we’d had a beer and food, it was time to head to the stadium. The girls had done well, as the driver recognised our destination immediately.
Around thirty minutes later, we were dropped off by the away fans' driveway at the Thai Army Stadium, far earlier than we’d anticipated. It was immediately obvious that the visitors would have a healthy following, as many Buriram natives now lived in the capital.
We wandered around and bought a ticket, which was far cheaper than it advertised. Perhaps this was because it was a cup match? I know we received what seemed to be excellent value for an all-top-flight clash.
It is here that I have to own up. As I researched this piece a few weeks after the match, I discovered that we were watching Army FC of the Regional League third tier, and not Army United of the Premier League! This explained an awful lot as you read on.
We bought a large beer to share from a grizzled woman under the stand, who one could imagine had hammered more than one army cadet into shape. Steve did everything to try to make her smile, but she was a tough gig.
Our seats for the Army section gave us a limited scope. The obligatory band was down at the front, with the drummer seemingly fancying himself as the next Cozy Powell, although he was definitely not the best.
The local in front of us had his iPad showing all the other live scores in the League Cup, so he was able to keep me up to date on my team, Port’s progress, up the road at Look Tapfah. He also had our match on, as it was being shown on live TV.
Match Misunderstanding
Our seats for the Army section gave us a limited scope. The obligatory band was down at the front, with the drummer seemingly fancying himself as the next Cozy Powell, although he was definitely not the best.
The local in front of us had his iPad showing all the other live scores in the League Cup, so he was able to keep me up to date on my team, Port’s progress, up the road at Look Tapfah. He also had our match on, as it was being shown on live TV.
Match Misunderstanding
Buriram did indeed have an impressive following, with the central open section behind the goal very busy and the crowd continuing round and taking up their allocation of seating. We anticipated a tight game, which it surely would have been if it hadn’t been the reserve side that was playing!
No wonder we thought the home defence and goalkeeper would struggle to keep Army in the TPL! Within four minutes, the aforementioned hapless keeper had made a real mess up as Brazilian striker Weslley made it 1-0.
It was 2-0 when Korean Kim Seung-Yong finished. The referee was obviously feeling sorry for the home side when he turned down a stone wall penalty, which led to the injured striker being stretchered off. Our friend on the iPad confirmed that it was a bad tackle and a penalty.
Further goals from Kaio and Weslley sent Buriram down the tunnel at the break with a 4-0 lead. We had another beer, as our barmaid nearly broke into a grin. We also attempted to get into the away end for a different view, but the security wouldn’t have it.
The Army fans had something to cheer in the fifty-third minute when Pongsuriyan scored. They gave it their best shot and tried to carry on, but there was a large gulf in class between the two sides. Ten minutes later, Kim quelled any thoughts of a comeback to make it 5-1.
‘Ram were determined to see just how much confetti their fans had travelled with, which was thrown around following each goal as a couple of further efforts from Kaio allowed him to complete his hat trick.
With five minutes remaining, we headed for the exit and took the footbridge over the Don Muang Expressway to hail down a taxi. It was time for us to meet up with Gavin and mate for a liberal libation on Soi Cowboy. A good time was had by all as we related the tale of a shocking Army United team. If only we had known, or I had done my research properly!
It was 2-0 when Korean Kim Seung-Yong finished. The referee was obviously feeling sorry for the home side when he turned down a stone wall penalty, which led to the injured striker being stretchered off. Our friend on the iPad confirmed that it was a bad tackle and a penalty.
Further goals from Kaio and Weslley sent Buriram down the tunnel at the break with a 4-0 lead. We had another beer, as our barmaid nearly broke into a grin. We also attempted to get into the away end for a different view, but the security wouldn’t have it.
The Army fans had something to cheer in the fifty-third minute when Pongsuriyan scored. They gave it their best shot and tried to carry on, but there was a large gulf in class between the two sides. Ten minutes later, Kim quelled any thoughts of a comeback to make it 5-1.
‘Ram were determined to see just how much confetti their fans had travelled with, which was thrown around following each goal as a couple of further efforts from Kaio allowed him to complete his hat trick.
With five minutes remaining, we headed for the exit and took the footbridge over the Don Muang Expressway to hail down a taxi. It was time for us to meet up with Gavin and mate for a liberal libation on Soi Cowboy. A good time was had by all as we related the tale of a shocking Army United team. If only we had known, or I had done my research properly!
If you've enjoyed reading this article, you may wish to follow it up with my first experience of my first ever Thai match at the Army Stadium.
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