TOT SC
Ground: TOT Stadium
Capacity: 5,000
Club Founded: 1954
Dissolved: 2016
Like many large Thai corporate football clubs, TOT called it a day and dissolved when the costs became too expensive. Their former venue, rechristened NT Stadium, received a new lease of life when Police Tero became tenants in 2025.
Early Years
TOT Sports Club's football side, based in Bangkok's Lak Si district, was formed in 1954 as Telecom of Thailand FC, representing the national Telephone Organisation of Thailand.
The club won the FA Cup in 1993 and became a founding member of the Thai Premier League for the 1996-97 season. TOT lost in the championship play-off semi-final against Bangkok Bank. Several seasons of mid-table finishes ensued before the club finished in the relegation places in 2002-03.
On the Road
The team bounced back a year later after winning the Division 1 League title. Their top-flight spell lasted just one season before TOT were relegated once again. They spent a season in the Provincial League, a competition which would eventually merge with the national second tier.
TOT won promotion back to the Premier League. The club played their matches at Namkaejon Stadium in Nonthaburi in 2007 and 2008, with Phuwadol Suwannachart the goal-scoring hero.
'Hello' finished mid-table in the top flight, spending the 2009 season at Kleeb Bua Stadium in Kanchanaburi, as Suchao Nutnum top-scored. The move to Kanchanaburi didn't pay off. Muangkan United FC, a team representing the city, formed and quickly gained local support.
TOT upped sticks once more to share the then-named Yamaha Stadium with Muangthong United. Crowds were once again poor, with TOT fans being regularly outnumbered by visiting supporters.
Ownership Dispute
Further problems hit the club through an ownership dispute in 2010. Piroj Suwannachavee took over and arranged an agreement with another telecommunications organisation, CAT. The club's name was changed to TOT-CAT FC.
TOT, the original owners, called in the FA of Thailand to settle the dispute, and they agreed that TOT still owned the club. The name reverted back to TOT SC. Throughout the period, the team continued to finish in the lower reaches of the table.
Home in Lak Si
The club eventually completed a new home stadium at TOT's Lak Si base. They moved into TOT Stadium for the second half of the 2011 season. The move allowed TOT to begin to develop its youth structure from its new base.
Somchai Subpherm was appointed head coach, while Mohamed Koné scored the goals. Prakit Deeporm ended as the leading scorer for a couple of seasons. The club continued to battle against many better-supported clubs in the capital.
Takahiro Kawamura and Bas Savage were the star performers in 2014 before Tewesh Kamonsin took over as head coach for the following campaign.
The season proved to be TOT's last as the team finished at the bottom of the table. They withdrew from the 2016 competition, which would have seen them compete at the second level, owing to financial troubles.
My visits
Stadium Visit
The season proved to be TOT's last as the team finished at the bottom of the table. They withdrew from the 2016 competition, which would have seen them compete at the second level, owing to financial troubles.
My visits
Stadium Visit
Wednesday 27th March 2013
Self Indulgence
I had a spare day on my cricket tour of Thailand, and with the majority of my teammates not arriving until the following day, I decided to get stuck into my favourite spare-time hobby of adventuring and visiting new stadiums.
I had already visited the home of Regional League side Kasetsart University when I flagged down a taxi. I showed him my Google Maps, which I had copied in preparation back in London, asking him to take me to Soi 5 Watthana by Lak Si.
My basic Thai and the map did the trick as we travelled along the easy route towards Don Muang Airport, with the familiar signs of the railway to our left. I had travelled much of the route several times before on the way to play cricket at the Harrow International School.
Although I'd looked at Google Street View, I really wasn't sure whether I'd get access inside the stadium. I wandered through TOT's gates, smiled at the guards and kept walking.
It was easy to find the arena, with telltale signs of canvas-covered tables on either side of the main walkway, which no doubt furnished fans on match days. There was some sign of activity on the pitch, with the gates open.
I wandered in to see the Summer Soccer School in full swing, with several parents occupying the stands. I got on with wandering around and taking photos. The Main Stand was three separate raised covered structures along one touchline. Opposite was an open-seated section, which again ran the full length of the pitch.
I had a spare day on my cricket tour of Thailand, and with the majority of my teammates not arriving until the following day, I decided to get stuck into my favourite spare-time hobby of adventuring and visiting new stadiums.
I had already visited the home of Regional League side Kasetsart University when I flagged down a taxi. I showed him my Google Maps, which I had copied in preparation back in London, asking him to take me to Soi 5 Watthana by Lak Si.
Although I'd looked at Google Street View, I really wasn't sure whether I'd get access inside the stadium. I wandered through TOT's gates, smiled at the guards and kept walking.
I wandered in to see the Summer Soccer School in full swing, with several parents occupying the stands. I got on with wandering around and taking photos. The Main Stand was three separate raised covered structures along one touchline. Opposite was an open-seated section, which again ran the full length of the pitch.
The Lak Si end was unoccupied, with just a high fence separating the pitch from the covered car and bicycle park. The TOT End was extremely basic, with a small roof covering an area back from the pitch reserved for away supporters.
A few smiles seemed to defuse any suspicion, as it often does in the wonderful country that is Thailand. I went on my way, walked up to the main road and hailed a taxi to my next destination.
TOT SC 1 Port FC 2
Thai Premier League - Saturday 31st October 2015
👨👨👧👧 1,580 🎟️ 150 THB (£3.60)
Match Build Up
Match Build Up
My second game of the evening had a lot to live up to. I had been to the excellent Air Force Central v Police United game in the second tier. I’d been slightly reluctant to leave it before full time, but Port needed all the support that they could muster.
The last of my pals had gone home after a successful Beer Battered Seadogs cricket and sightseeing holiday. I had taken them with three ex-pat locals to Port’s home 2-0 defeat to Army United the previous Wednesday.
In all honesty, Port had been awful. This was about their last chance to start their serious challenge to stay up. TOT were at the bottom of the table and getting close to the point of requiring a miracle. My taxi driver from Thupatemee Stadium spoke English and knew the way to the TOT Stadium, which was good news.
The last of my pals had gone home after a successful Beer Battered Seadogs cricket and sightseeing holiday. I had taken them with three ex-pat locals to Port’s home 2-0 defeat to Army United the previous Wednesday.
In all honesty, Port had been awful. This was about their last chance to start their serious challenge to stay up. TOT were at the bottom of the table and getting close to the point of requiring a miracle. My taxi driver from Thupatemee Stadium spoke English and knew the way to the TOT Stadium, which was good news.
He was honest enough to admit we’d struggle to make kick-off, but I told him to do his best.
Unbelievably, we hit a standstill near Don Muang Airport as we were underneath the tollway. Surely there hadn’t been an accident? My pilot told me he’d seen on the news that some kind of official visit was taking place at the airport over the weekend. Perhaps we’d found it?
Travel Chaos
Travel Chaos
After nearly ten minutes of standstill, we suddenly went back to normal speed. It did look to be some kind of controlled blockage for access further up. Sure enough, my driver did know the way.
However, the main gate on Chang Watthana was closed to the TOT. I paid the driver and set off with blistered feet back along Chang Watthana past the stadium. Street vendors sold their wares to fans over the wall inside the ground.
The game was still 0-0 as I approached the away fans' entrance behind the goal. They turned me away and told me that I had to buy a ticket. Instead of having a ticket office nearby for away fans, I had to go all the way round behind the Main Stand, past the away end and half the far side.
While I loved most things Thai, some of their organisational skills were rock bottom. A major problem is that they take constructive advice as criticism, so things seldom change.
However, the main gate on Chang Watthana was closed to the TOT. I paid the driver and set off with blistered feet back along Chang Watthana past the stadium. Street vendors sold their wares to fans over the wall inside the ground.
Ticket Chaos
While I loved most things Thai, some of their organisational skills were rock bottom. A major problem is that they take constructive advice as criticism, so things seldom change.
TOT had the nerve to charge more for an away fan ticket. It was the most expensive standing ticket I'd found in Thailand at 150 THB. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was for Thais, especially those struggling in Khlong Toei. Unbelievably, they wanted 300 Baht for a seat along the side!
Finally, I got inside and found a place on the back row of the rickety wooden stand. The unused TV gantry in the centre and netting didn’t help the view. Dust came from the muddy surface, and mosquitoes bit the hell out of me, but I loved it.
Earthy Atmosphere
This was a proper do-or-die relegation battle. My team had a great following and cared passionately. Full families, all in orange and blue, were cheering on Port, from babies to grandparents.
This was a proper do-or-die relegation battle. My team had a great following and cared passionately. Full families, all in orange and blue, were cheering on Port, from babies to grandparents.
The Khlong Toei Army's noise was incessant, especially from the youths with the drum on the flat standing behind the goal. There must have been around 600 in the away section. Both teams were giving it everything, despite neither being very good.
A Lively Encounter
A Lively Encounter
TOT were more like a Champions League side in a vital home leg than the desperate bunch propping up the league. Port defended and broke like lions. Home players Anucha Taiwong and Dutchman Luciano Dompig were a handful for the visiting defence, who held firm.
In the twenty-first minute, the away end went wild when the ball was fed wide. An unmarked Wuttichai Tatong headed home a great cross from the right. Despite home attacks, Port looked relatively solid and had plenty of play up the other end.
There was far too much procrastination around the box and little end product. TOT were there for the taking, but Port lacked ambition and belief. At half-time, several Thai Port fans hugged me and even asked to be in a couple of photos.
There was far too much procrastination around the box and little end product. TOT were there for the taking, but Port lacked ambition and belief. At half-time, several Thai Port fans hugged me and even asked to be in a couple of photos.
I’m not sure who they thought I was. I enjoyed my first beer of the day, with smiles all around. It’s amazing how happy fans can be when their side is winning away from home. After the break, I stood up against the fence to catch a better atmosphere, because I didn’t trust the stands!
An expat Englishman chatted, and there was a gaggle of farang further along. The bloke and his wife by me at the front, had their junior daughter with them. I stepped aside so that she could stand on top of the fence and hang on to the netting.
An expat Englishman chatted, and there was a gaggle of farang further along. The bloke and his wife by me at the front, had their junior daughter with them. I stepped aside so that she could stand on top of the fence and hang on to the netting.
A girl behind was giving the ref some deserved stick, letting him know that she thought he was ‘mao’ (drunk!). Inevitably, Port’s attacks became fewer as TOT threw men forward. The tension was building in the away end.
Bas Savage
Bas Savage
The occasional break wasn’t capitalised on as the vital final ball was going astray. The home side bought on Bas Savage with twenty-five minutes to go, a player I was lucky enough to have met at the end of the previous season with my Chonburi mate Dale.
That night, TOT staved off relegation and helped deprive the Sharks of the title. Bas was a smashing bloke, but I was less than pleased to see him again. His pace, height and strength immediately changed the game's dynamics. It was a mystery why head coach Tewet Kamonsilp hadn’t started with him.
Nobody was massively surprised when TOT equalised with just eight minutes to go. Dompig scored with a low shot. The home fans down the open side were going crazy. Port’s followers slowly found their voices again after a few seconds of stunned silence.
The Port team and their coach, Masahiro Wada, realised that a draw wasn't good enough. Fortunately, the home side sensed a chance to win and went for it. The play was end-to-end and not of great quality, but extremely entertaining.
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| Photo: Thanks to Judy from the Klongtoey Army Facebook Page |
In the final minute of normal time, a decent pass gave Port’s Hironori Saruta a chance to shoot. His first touch was awful, taking the ball away from the goal, but as he looked to turn, he was brought down. Referee Taweechai Supatwan pointed to the spot. The place went mad.
After what seemed like a long delay as home players kept time-wasting and encroaching into the area, David Rochela stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net as bedlam broke out all around. Wherever you are in the world, regardless of standard; there’s nothing like a last-minute winner away from home.
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| Photo: Thanks to Judy from the Klongtoey Army Facebook Page |
A young lady had been taking photos just in front of the away end as well as a video when the winner went in. She tried to grab my attention for a photo amongst the celebrating fans at full-time. I eventually found the pictures online six weeks later at the Klongtoey Army Facebook page.
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| Photo: Thanks to Judy from the Klongtoey Army Facebook Page |
Saturday Night in Sukhumvit
Within the hour, I received the originals. I was told that Judy took the pictures. Thank you very much for such a brilliant service and fantastic photos if you are reading this. I was away before the Port players came over, with other fish to fry!
Within a minute, I’d hailed a cab outside and once again, the driver knew where I wanted to go. He was pressing the metal to Soi Cowboy. I was in a great mood, especially when he told me Chelsea had lost at home again!
A tired, emotional Steve was waiting for me at the Queen Victoria, where a newly arrived Chris and his pal Timmy soon turned up. We went around to watch the Rugby World Cup Final and other assorted entertainment while catching up.
The chips and battered sausage from an open paper bag rounded off the proceedings perfectly. It was a great end to a fantastic day!
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