In 2018, the team was crowned as champions of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region to gain promotion to the Thai League 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region. In their 2019 debut season, ‘The Thonburi Side Warhorse’ finished fourth.
A change of title to Thonburi United for the 2020-21 season ended with the side playing in League 3 of the same region after the restructuring of the Thai League. For the second successive season, Piyaphong Phrueksupee finished top scorer as United ended in eighth place.
A disappointing eleventh spot ensued in 2021-22 despite United attracting the third-highest average attendance in the division to watch the side coached by Poramin Chaichalerm. Chatturong Longsriphum top-scored for a second successive disappointing season in 2022-23.
A much improved fourth spot ensued in 2023-24 as Nigerian striker Bright Friday led the scoring charts. T3 was realigned geographically for 2024-25 with Thonburi being placed in the West region, as Autsada Traiperm was appointed as head coach.
He led the side to the playoffs, where they finished bottom of Group C before being replaced by Petprasert Jangcham for the 2025-26 campaign.
Thonburi United FC will play in Thai League 3 West in the 2025-26 season.
My visits
Thonburi United 1 North Bangkok University 1 (Monday 10th January 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok (att: c200)
Most games in the Thai League kick off at 3.30pm, so spotting a rare Monday fixture, I was keen to set out on another exploration in my early days as a Bangkok resident. I double checked online to confirm the game, such is the scarcity of Monday football.
My usual track of bus to Bangkapi, followed by boat down the Saen Saep to Asoke, saw me change to the MRT to its terminus stop at Bang Khae. My plan from there was to go the rest of the way by bus.
This is where I came slightly unstuck. I got off where I thought I needed to at Sakhon Kasem Intersection, from where it was my intention to catch a bus along Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road. However, after a short wait, I got anxious and hailed a taxi.
Fortunately, Google Maps sorted me out so I could help the driver on a rather convoluted route down some narrow lanes, this after the first driver had declined the fare. I was more than happy to see that there was no admission fee as I headed upstairs into the home fans' area of the solitary raised seated grandstand.
The surroundings looked most pleasant on this beautiful afternoon. The toilets were pristine, but the stadium was lacking in catering facilities. The United supporters were friendly, with the louder ultras at the rear drinking beers that they’d brought with them.
The early stages of the game were scrappy, with referee Wisarut Kantawong looking to let plenty go so that play had a chance to flow. It did indeed gradually improve as North Bangkok’s Russian forward Sergei Tumasyan missed a good opportunity with a free header.
The refs’ patience finally gave way when he produced the first of what would finally amass to seven yellow cards in the thirty-fourth minute. University’s Passakorn Khumthared had been consistently offending and had no complaints.
Thonburi’s support wasn’t huge in numbers, but it was loud, proud and passionate. Their side produced a half chance that flew across the face of the goal before a poor challenge in the box gave the official no alternative but to award a penalty to the visiting ‘Horsemen’.
Tumasyan stepped forward with a stuttering run as home keeper Thitikorn Wiyawattana was sent the wrong way to put North Bangkok 1-0 up a minute before the half-time break. More challenges were flying in before the teams headed up the tunnel for a rest.
While they recovered and received their briefings, I headed for a little walk to the nearby convenience store in the corner of the car park to top up on snacks and refreshments. I was wishing I had advanced local knowledge and had taken some beers.
The match was entertaining and even in the second period. Seven minutes in, the hosts restored parity. North Bangkok’s goalkeeper Sanan Amkerd badly scuffed a clearance. United substitute Narathip Kruearanya made no mistake, firing into an empty net.
Home forward Taiga Matsunaga seemed a clever footballer and wasn’t shy to demonstrate his tricks on the ball as he tried to find a winner for his side. The away team responded with a fine move, which resulted in a low cross, which Naphawit Tonyim’s side-footed effort hit the goalie Wiyawattana.
Despite the best efforts of both sides, the game petered out into a draw, which, on reflection, was probably about the right result. Now it was time for me to put in some exercise of my own to find the best way home.
I had uploaded the Bolt taxi App onto my phone and decided to give it a go. A cab arrived within fifteen minutes. The driver on this occasion, Liverpool FC daft, and desperate to try and have a conversation about the glory days of John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish and co.
The pleasant fella dropped me at Bang Khae MRT station, and on this occasion, I used my improving knowledge to take the train all the way to Lad Phrao station, where the number 96 bus took some time to get me all the way home. But time was never going to be an issue.
A fine day out was completed with a meal and a few drinks at my new favourite local bar, where I resolved a slight misunderstanding on my bill from the previous evening. Everything in the world was good!
Samutsakhon City 1 FC Bangsaotong 0 (Saturday 4th June 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Perimeter Final (att: c350)
Read here to read about my visit when Thonburi Stadium was used as a neutral venue for a Thailand Amateur League regional final.
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