Pattani

Pattani FC is a professional football club from the Thai southern city of the same name. The ‘Queen Cannons’ were formed in 2009, being admitted into Regional League Division 2 Southern Region playing home games at Pattani Municipal Stadium.

The side finished fourth in their debut season, and then one place higher in 2011. A runners-up spot ensued in 2012 with Al hadji Adamou putting away the goals. Ahmed Toota and then Ahmed Kodmany thrilled the home fans before Elvis Job became the top scorer for two seasons.

That helped Pattani to another second place in 2015. The Thai League system was reorganised for the 2017 season, with the club being placed in Thai League 4 South. Ibrahim Dicko led the scoring chart which ended in second place. Any chance of promotion was ended in the playoffs by Grakcu Sai Mai United.

Another second regional finish and Champions League playoffs followed in 2019 which ended in promotion partly through the goals of Georgi Tsimakuridze, leading a place in Thai League 3, However, COVID-19 would then intervene.

Again, the Thai League decided to restructure and follow the European football calendar for the 2020-21 campaign. Chakris Tiaiadyo would lead the scoring for the next two seasons as Pattani found themselves competing in Thai League 3 South.

A couple of disappointing seasons ensued, with the side being led by Maka Hoprasartsuk before he was replaced in the summer of 2021 by Banpot Chaichanadet. Sathot Bensoh was appointed ahead of the 2022-23 season before the arrival of Teeratada Chamrus after the midseason break. 

The goals of Pithak Abdulrahman helped the Gunners to the fourth spot before they improved by one place a year later under head coach Damian Bellon as Natan Oliveira scored twenty goals. By now, improvements and a name change saw the Rainbow Stadium being rechristened.

A trio of Brazilians looked to push Pattani towards the playoff places in 2024-25. Pattarapol Naprasart was put in charge of the team before he was replaced by Nirun Assawapakdee at the halfway mark of the season.

My visit

Friday 3rd January 2025

A tour of Thailand and Laos with my wife and her cousin and his family provided me with an opportunity to call into the Rainbow Stadium to take some photos. It wasn’t in the plans when we set out in the car heading towards Betong but things changed thanks to a conversation.

I happened to mention if we stayed with the relatives again in Hat Yai, I would take the train and watch a game at Pattani. However, Taew had different thoughts on the matter, as she said it was still too risky to visit alone without knowing the local situation.

The south of Thailand had been embroiled in tensions for a couple of decades or more with bombings and terrorist attacks still taking place. We therefore made a compromise, with Q our guide driving me to the venue.

It was quite a nice venue, even if similar to many province stadia around the country. It is amazing what some paintwork can do to an open bowl. One side had a roof over the seats, with the rest being open to the elements.

Once done we continued sightseeing on our way to the Malaysian border town and enjoying plenty of interesting things along the way including plenty of military checkpoints along the road.