Kamphaengphet

Kamphaengphet FC is a professional football club that was formed in 2009 to represent the Thai province of Kamphaeng Phet in the upper central region of the country. 

The club took up immediate residence at the Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) Stadium, otherwise known as Chakangrao Central Stadium in the centre of town, becoming members of the third-tier Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

In their first three seasons, the ‘Cha Kung Rao Warriors’ finished in the lower reaches of the division before ending in sixth place in 2012, before returning to type for the following three campaigns.

A runners-up berth in 2016 led to a shot in the Champions League playoffs in which they saw off Ayutthaya Warrior before falling to Surat Thani. When the Thai football league structure was amended in 2017, Kamphaengphet were placed in Thai League 3 Upper Region.

Otsu Kazutaka top scored as the side ended in eleventh place. This performance was repeated a year later with Badar Al-Alawi topping the goals charts. Kawin Nuanthat then became the fans' favourite forward for a couple of seasons.

The first ended in eighth place before the Thai League was again restructured with the calendar following that of Europe. 2020-21 in Thai League 3 North saw the side finish ninth under coach Saksan Siripong.

Sakdinan Makmuang was put in charge of the team the following season, which again ended in a lowly position, with Punyaphat Autha top scoring. A third consecutive ninth place ensued in 2022-23. The goals were supplied by Kaung Htet Soe and Khwanchai Bunprakhom as former coach Saksan returned.

Natthaphon Yueayai led the way up front in 2023-24 before Khwanchai found his old touch in 2024-25, as the team completed a remarkable fifth consecutive ninth-place finish.

Kamphaengphet FC will play in Thai League 3 North in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Monday 7th April 2025

Never being one to miss an opportunity, a visit to see friends in Kamphaeng Phet saw an early arrival in the town after a wonderful previous day and following morning in Sukhothai as part of our road trip from Chiang Mai to Sisaket.

 

The reason that Kamphaeng Phet was chosen was that an old journalist friend, Alan Parkhouse, who had been of great assistance when I covered cricket media duties at various tournaments in Thailand, was now living there. Even better, he and his good lady, Phung, had got married a few days earlier.

The historic park and area around the city shrine provided an immediate positive impression, as did the Chakangrao Central Stadium. It was positioned just over the road from the Ping River, offering a great location. 

Inside the arena, I was most impressed with how the original raised main stand had two large, covered extensions on either side of it, making it stand out from many other such provincial municipal venues that also have running tracks.

Opposite was an open, raised area, and in the corner, an unusually large, detached block, as was also the case when I visited Phitsanulok. That end of the venue had a High School behind it, providing an enclosed feel.

Happy with my photography and making a clip towards my YouTube video of the adventure, I rejoined my ever-obliging wife, Taew, for the short drive, which entailed crossing the river and finding the majestic Mango House Resort & Café, our refuge for the night.

A quality lunch and then catch up with food with Alan and Phung ensued before we caught up with them at their place the following morning, which will see their steakhouse open in a pleasant area near the golf course. Hopefully, a return was being planned by the ladies, which would include me seeing a football game!