Many moments have changed the course of a football club’s history. Mark Robins scored a vital FA Cup goal for Manchester United, a moment often credited with helping to save Sir Alex Ferguson's job. It had huge ramifications for years to come. Manchester City’s punishment for financial misconduct might be another.
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| A packed Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium |
2025-26 Climax
In northeast Thailand late in the 2025-26 season, a series of events changed the fortunes of neighbouring clubs Sisaket United and Rasisalai United, altering momentum, perhaps forever.
Both teams were having good seasons. Rasi went on to win the Thai League 2 title in fine style, despite a couple of blips. Meanwhile, Sisaket looked like they might be about to blow their chances of automatic promotion.
Rasisalai were a breath of fresh air, with three talented Brazilians. They entertained and scored goals for fun. Their marketing operation was far superior to that of Sisaket’s, selling lots of shirts and putting on free travel to home games from their base. The attendance figures of the two clubs were similar.
Sisaket seemed like the old guard, even quite staid in their approach. Their coach, Somchai Chuayboonchum, was 71 years old. He looked like he dressed at Primark and was heading from an English council estate to wait outside Wetherspoons for it to open at 7 am.
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| Uncle Chuay |
Stand By Your Man
What ‘Uncle Chuay’ lacked in sartorial elegance, he made up for in football knowledge and instilling discipline. A couple of his foreign players fell out with him, while another showed flashes of indiscipline that led to suspensions that could have seen his team missing out.
Club supremo Thanet Kruerat stood by his man when results faltered, and when it would have been very easy to make a change. Three games from the end of the season, promotion hopes hung by a thread. Their third foreign player, also their leading scorer, remained suspended as the team grabbed a 3-3 draw away to Pattaya United.
Next was an away game against Pattani. Sisaket were protecting their position in the automatic promotion places, with Pattani still capable of overtaking them. If Pattani won, they would leapfrog Sisaket with one game to go. Again, without their star man, the Fire Lamduan put on an outstanding performance, drawing 0-0 in front of a sell-out crowd. That, to me, was the turning point.
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| Rasisalai United Celebrate |
The Turning Point?
Rumours began circulating that Rasi’s outstanding coach, Arnon Bandasak, might resign because he didn’t hold a Thai League 1 coaching license and wasn’t interested in sitting the qualifications. He had made quality signings and introduced tactics that propelled his side to consecutive promotions.
Over 7,000 fans headed to the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium to see Sisaket beat Songkhla, ironically where Arnon would become coach, 5-1 to seal promotion. The atmosphere was off the scale, with the town looking forward to having Thai League 1 football every week.
Then another large blow landed at Rasi’s door. Because they have no suitable venue in their hometown, they play at Sisaket Provincial Stadium, also known as Koh Klang Nam Stadium.
Sisaket province decided to bid to host the annual King’s Cup in November 2026, with matches taking place at Rasi’s home. Their bid was successful, to widespread celebration, apart from those who understand Thai League football.
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| Thai League 1 at Sisaket United - with a Rasi shirt in the crowd |
On the Road
The Provincial Stadium needed refurbishing and a new pitch. Despite being only 10 years old, it’s received little maintenance. The pitch was damaged when the venue hosted a concert last season, which led to Rasi having to pay a couple of fines to the league.
Rasi needed somewhere to play their home games during renovations. They chose Buriram City Stadium for their first two matches, three hours away. Sisaket eventually ensured Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium met the required specifications to host Thai League 1 games, which I cover in this article.
While playing in another province, attendances were paltry. The team struggled on the pitch. The club appointed a new coach who lasted just five games. Meanwhile, Sisaket stole a march.
Fans Go Sisaket Mad
Their stadium has been nearly full for their first three home games. Shirt sales are unprecedented. The new signings have fitted into Uncle Chuay’s philosophy of hard work and discipline. Results have been excellent, including the 3-2 away win over champions Buriram United.
The supporters create an incredible atmosphere, whether playing away or in Sisaket. Their passion gives the team tremendous backing and an advantage. Qualities that helped Rasi's title charge, with many going to cheer both sides.
Rasi arranged to play their two home games at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium before returning to their regular venue. Only 1,350 turned out for the 4-1 defeat to Ayutthaya United, compared with attendances of more than 9,000 at their neighbours' games.
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| Sisaket Celebrate at Buriram |
Momentum Shifts?
Can the balance of power be restored? I suggested on A Thai Football Podcast that it was wise to enjoy Rasisalai’s moment in the sun. I think they have peaked. Coach Arnon was the catalyst. He is missed. The King’s Cup disruption has knocked them for six. Their first home game back at the Provincial Stadium is against Buriram. They need a rousing performance.
Can Sisaket continue to build on their recent upsurge? I think they can, if supporters aren’t taken for granted, and they heed Khun Thanet’s words about the club not having a big playing budget to be able to make star signings but guaranteeing that the players and management will always give their all.
What would have happened if Sisaket had lost to either Pattaya or Pattani and failed to secure promotion? They were two huge moments when the fickle hand of football fortune could have changed everything.
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