Trat FC is a professional club that was formed in 2012, representing the town and province of the same name. The White Elephants, as the club is nicknamed, were admitted to the 2011 Regional League Division 2 Central & Eastern Region division.
This was the third-tier competition of the time, with the team reaching the play-offs in their debut season as Rattaporn Saetan put away the goals that led to promotion to the second-level Division 1. Harnarong Chunhakunakorn came in as head coach as the side consolidated with help from the goals of Woukoue Mefire Raymond and Seiya Sugishita.
Krit Singha-preecha was given the coach’s role, as Trat were relegated to Division 2 Eastern at the end of the 2015 season, where Erivaldo top scored as the side won the title a year later after Praphan Narkpong had taken charge of on-field affairs.
Barros Tardeli became the goalscoring hero at the Trat Province Stadium, as Somkiat Fongpech, Worakorn Wichanarong, and Dusit Chalermsan all had spells as head coach. A runners-up place in 2018 elevated Trat to the elite level, Thai League 1 in 2018.
Lonsana Doumbouya scored the goals in 2019 after the arrival of new head coach Phayong Khunnaen, as the team settled in its elevated environment, before being relegated in the 2020-21 season, despite the goals of Ricardo Santos.
Somchai Chuayboonchum was at the helm the following season as Paulo Conrado scored regularly to take Trat to the playoffs, where they defeated Phrae United before losing the final on away goals to Lamphun Warriors. Coach Harnarong returned for a second spell to oversee the 2022-23 campaign.
Ferreira dos Santos finished the opportunities as Trat won promotion as runners-up, before the appointment of Santi Chaiyaphuak as head coach. Lidor Cohen’s goals weren’t enough to keep Trat up a year later, as Krongpol Daorueang arrived to take charge of the relegated club.
His spell lasted just a few months before he was replaced by Somchai Makmool, who in turn was succeeded by Phayong Khunnaen during the mid-season break. Phillerson top-scored as the side finished near the wrong end of the table. Santi Chaiyaphuak was appointed as the Trat head coach on January 1, 2026.
Trat FC will play in the Thai League 2 in the 2025-26 season.
My visit
Wednesday 21st August 2024
My wife and I were heading to the Koh Chang Beach Cricket Tournament and decided to make the journey easier by having her drive us to Trat to discover what the town was all about, before taking the ferry over in time for lunch the next day.
A visit to a rather underwhelming but welcoming local museum was followed by a visit to the stadium, which was being cleaned up and readied in time for a local event. I was extremely impressed with what I saw, as rather than a simple generic province stadium, it had some individuality and pride put into it.
Once I’d snapped away, we checked into our hotel, the excellent BaanRimNam Resort and had a rest before discovering what Trat had to offer on a Wednesday evening. In truth, not a lot, though I quite liked sitting watching the world go by at the open-fronted Lao Leu Music & Restaurant.
Mrs Rob was not quite as enamoured, so after a look at the basic night market, we took beers home before thoroughly enjoying the ride in a boat on the Nam Chiao to see Wat Jai Bridge. We then headed to the ferry and then lunch in the consistently magnificent Tidlom Seafood Restaurant at Salak Khok on Koh Chang.
It’s strange at times how life works out. Many of us become supporters of a particular football club depending on where we are born, or an allegiance being passed down through the generations. Some choose a particular club because of their success and choose to cheer them from afar, never actually attending games.
The less said about them, the better, while sometimes a change of location can see people adopting their new local club and becoming fully embraced, attending games and getting the most out of the opportunity to watch live sport.
Attending a Sisaket FC match in 2018 I'm not sure the stadium has been cleaned since
In my case, I am a Scarborough fan, as were all the elder members of my family, with Hull City offering me the chance of some bigger games on a visit to a larger place. When I moved to London, it was Hendon that I had an affection for when I couldn’t travel north. My holidays to Thailand saw me get to any games I could, eager for new adventures and to find unknown pleasures. Port FC became my favourite side, as they offered me the best matchday experience in Bangkok. However, things changed halfway through 2022.
I had met and become close to a lady while I lived in Minburi, who suggested we might enjoy life together in her home province of Sisaket. I visited the city on a whistlestop Isan tour in 2018 and took in a game against Nakhon Ratchasima in the League Cup. The city seemed fine to me, and the people were warm and friendly, so why not give it a go?
Things developed pretty quickly between the two of us, as I fell in love with the people and the country life I was being offered, with the added chance to go and watch some football. It was the season that Sisaket FC were to fold, be disbanded and thrown out of Thai League 3 after a massive wrangle and dispute with Esan United. They had a good history, previously playing in the top tier of Thai football, and filled the stadium on occasions, losing 1-0 to Buriram United in the 2015 League Cup final.
Fortunately, another club, Sisaket United, formed in 2012, took over sole tenancy of the dated and dirty Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium and reached the playoffs in 2022-23, my first season of watching them. What came as a shock when my future wife drove me around the area was that there was a second club playing in town in a huge stadium that I was previously unaware of. Rasisalai United were competing in their debut season in the Thai League 3.
The more modern SAT Stadium
This was great news, especially after moving full-time to the area in February 2023, as it meant that there were two teams to go and watch. I quickly worked out that it would be possible to get to see games at Ubon UMT Stadium and other venues in the nearby cities once dropped off in Kanthararom, twenty minutes from us.
Sisaket is mad about football, with the province being fiercely proud of its people and teams that represent it. I often tell friends about its vibe, being one of community and taking me back to being a youngster in England, before attitudes and cultures changed for the worse. I quickly discovered that quite a few people went to watch whoever was playing, whether it be Sisaket or Rasisalai.
Looking towards "our" VIP seats
The following season, Rasi, a town around 40km from Sisaket city, had a distinctly average season, in front of crowds of around 300. Because their town has no suitable venue, they continued to play at the SAT Stadium in Sisaket. Sisaket United had a superb season, winning promotion and finishing overall runners-up in Thai League 3. While the tactics of coach “Pat” could sometimes be dull, they were effective, with the excellent Matteus Panigazzi and Danilo leading the way.
Naturally, interest grew along with attendance in the second tier. Rasi owner, the often-excitable Nuchanart Jaruwongsatian, was not about to see her club left behind. Arnon Bandasak was installed as coach, along with the arrival of three Brazilians: Ramon Mesquita, Gilberto Macena, and Alberto Gouvea. My pal, John, and I had met Alberto going into a Sisaket match and asked him how he thought he would get on. He told us he would score twenty goals, which we took with a pinch of salt.
Derby Day, and more importantly, a quality deal at a quality bar to get into the mood. Football is far more than 90 minutes.
He was no joker, as he matched his tally and more, as the team did even better than Sisaket the season before, becoming national T3 champions, as crowds grew, merchandise sales rocketed, and teams were blown away regularly. All this while Sisaket finished outside the playoffs, despite showing promise on occasions.
The local derby between the two sides early in the 2025-26 season attracted an official crowd of 4,458, to which a thousand can be added, as kids don’t pay. They played out a magnificent 3-3 draw, while “Uncle Chuay”, the new coach of Sisaket United, formerly in charge of Sisaket FC, oversaw an improvement in their fortunes.
A big crowd at the derby
With one game before the mid-season break, Rasisalai sit at the top of the table and are still unbeaten, with Sisaket in third place. Two sides are promoted automatically, with the next four entering the playoffs. We are being spoilt for entertainment and matchdays in town.
The two experiences do differ. As mentioned, Sisaket’s home is decrepit, filthy, and a health hazard. It has a track around the pitch, but importantly, the stands are in a straight line, meaning not too much distance from the pitch. The fans are generally older, following the province’s traditional club, and are extremely passionate and vocal, with officials and visiting players being left in no doubt that they are the enemies. It’s horrible, the toilets are shocking, and the pitch is a disgrace, with some crazy people adding to the entertainment. I love it, especially on the open side.
The SAT Stadium is a bowl with curved stands around its running track, meaning it is a far greater distance from the pitch, and lacking in intensity, despite plenty of noise being made. The fans are generally younger and more polite. We sit every game in the VIP area, near the partners and families of the players, basically because we did when hardly anyone attended, so we continued to do so, becoming accepted as part of the furniture.
What will happen if one or both clubs win promotion to League 1 is anyone’s guess. It will take a lot of money to improve the squads. Things like, will the overseas players manage at the higher level, with their advanced years, are among the questions fans are beginning to ask. On a selfish level, will the matchday experience deteriorate?
The pitch at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium Even worse than normal
You see, going to football is far more than the actual football match to me. I have a good shout and enjoy seeing either team win, but if it’s a poor game, I shrug my shoulders and wait for next week. However, if there’s no beer, food, or laughter involved, I get very grumpy. Football day is my day out, and I must enjoy it. Results don’t matter if I have a good day. You see, we’re all different.
And that I think is why I love living in Sisaket so much. We have a small golf course, so we can enjoy a round. There is great food to be had, with bars too. It’s easy to walk up to the stadium and drink outside or take a beer to our seats. There is no hassle with tickets, and we get to know regulars. It’s the ideal size for me. I do worry some of it might diminish if either side went up, along with some heavy defeats on the pitch.
Under a Blood Red Sky at Sisaket United
The good thing is, I have the fallback of knowing that teams like Kanthararom United will enter the FA Cup along with amateur sides from Ubon Ratchathani, with a semipro league entertaining me in the new year, with the chance of a few days finding new bars and restaurants, making new friends, as well as an occasional game of golf.
Best of all, I live in a province of pride, among good people, both expat and Thai, who love their football, in whichever way they choose to support their local teams.
I guess I’m
the sort of bloke for whom the phrase, more clubs than Jack Nicklaus was invented.
The truth is, I love football and go out of my way to have a good day when
going to a match. Over the years, I’ve grown fond of many clubs, whether just
passing through for the day or going to watch them regularly.
This might
be because the locals have gone out of their way to give me a warm welcome, or
the atmosphere at a game has been superb. Sometimes it’s the quality of the nearby pubs
or a town that has captured my heartstrings. On other occasions, it might be
because a mate supports a particular team, and I don’t like seeing them sad.
In
my later years, I cannot understand the mentality behind the pleasure that some derive from baiting
others over a football result or things going wrong. As for anyone who describes this as being "only banter", well, I would ban them from social media or stadiums for a
year. Those, along with any wronguns who I cross paths with, are welcome to suffer at full time every week.
As a
traditionalist, Futera United are everything that I should dislike. They are a
club run on the 3Web, digitally, and they embrace cryptocurrency and NFTs, which
are tokens purchased by those wishing to become holders, or members, in old money. Essentially, Futera is fan-owned, but in a
modern way that can lead to old-school football fans screaming. They have a huge
following online and sell a ridiculous amount of merchandise, appealing to the
younger generation, rather than crusties who turn their hog out if a club doesn't issue a programme.
The club
appeared on Talksport’s Hawksbee & Jacobs afternoon show on a feature about trading cards, as Futera is a company that produces them, and is the finance
behind the football club. Their holders can have their say on tactics,
selection, formations, kits, and lots of other things. There are Futera NFT
holders all around the world who watch their matches live on different
streaming services. How far the club can go remains to be seen.
I first met
founder Mark Watson at a game in March 2013, when the original club, Futera
Seeker, played in the old third-tier Thai Regional League Central West Region.
I went to an away game, and Mark let me in behind the scenes to see how
matchdays operated. I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing.
Back then, holders
could vote and offer their input during a game. Mark monitored it all on a
laptop in the press area and then contacted the coach on the bench by walkie-talkie
to implement changes while the match was in progress. Unbelievable if I hadn’t
experienced it with my own eyes.
Seeker went
alone, before Futera United was reborn, starting in the lower divisions of the
amateur Bangkok Premier League. They entered the FA Cup, losing 3-0 away to
Sisaket United in 2022-23, which was a credible result against a side that would
reach the Thai League 3 playoffs a few months later.
The club
entered the Thai Semipro League the following season, and again in 2024-25,
which is where they were the beneficiaries of extra promotion places being
available. As Futera is run well, they went up in third place, despite
finishing below less organised outfits, making the Bangkok University Stadium
their home ground as they re-entered professional football.
The story was one that I loved, with the sheer positivity and having the confidence to think outside the box, especially in Thailand, a country notorious for being stuck in its ways. It led me to make a video about it all for my YouTube channel.
The start of
the 2025-26 season was tough, despite scoring plenty of goals, owing to a leaky
defence, poor game management, and some goalkeeping best forgotten about. It’s
fair to say that some refereeing decisions not awarded were also a reason for
their indifferent results. It would be their fifth match before they picked up
a point, going on to draw twice more. The most recent of which was against the only
side below them on goal difference, Singburi Warriors, despite dominating much
of the game.
The reason
that I can describe much of the above is that the Thai League, through the
telecom company AIS, shows every single game live free of charge on TV through
a box which is cheap to get hold of, or on their App. I generally watch the
afternoon Futera game in our local pre-match pub of choice, before heading off
to watch Sisaket United or Rasisalai United. It’s a magnificent service.
Anyway, with
me heading to Bangkok with my wife to meet up with friends before flying to
Chiang Mai to celebrate my sixtieth birthday over a cricket weekend, I decided
it was time for Futera to get my support in the flesh, joined by my good mate
Jarvo, over from the UK and going to his first Thai football game.
What we
experienced was one of the more bizarre games of football I've seen in
Thailand, and there have been plenty to choose from. Three sending-offs in the
first half, eight goals, and the woodwork being struck six or seven times, in a
game that both sides were desperate not to lose.
The visiting
goalie, Rungarun Sumala, was shown a red card in the second minute, after he
handled outside the box to deny a goalscoring opportunity. He stood motionless,
not quite believing what was happening. How ironic, when attending a game featuring
the most modern of clubs, that we were about to be treated to something that
took me back to when I think football was better.
Chaos
reigned, as Saraburi didn’t have a goalkeeper on the bench. In the end, it was
decided that the captain and defender, Yuttapong Srilakon, would go between the
sticks after a delay of over ten minutes, as he added to the indignity of
Rungarun by changing into his pink shorts and socks. Bureaucracy gone mad,
especially when he then donned a yellow shirt that clashed with the colour worn
by the match officials. A shout of “get on with it” was aired, which meant that
another expat was in attendance, or a Thai had spent the summer at Headingley.
Whatever
Yuttapong’s respective qualities are in defence remained to be seen, but it's fair to say that he wasn't
great as a goalkeeper. He fumbled the weak resulting free kick, allowing Pharanyou
Sawatpakdee to tap in from close range. The stand-in tipped a shot over the
bar, before it was 2-0 once the corner was swung in as Nattawut Jandit pounced
at the back post. We purred with delight at what we were about to receive.
There have
been great memories of makeshift goalies being heroes over the years. Vinnie
Jones for Wimbledon at Newcastle, Bobby Moore for West Ham against Stoke, saving
a penalty from some bloke called Bernard, and of course Mitch Cook’s heroic performance
replacing broken leg victim Kevin Blackwell for Scarborough away at Scunthorpe.
This was not to be another to add to the list.
Play
meanwhile in Bangkok’s northernmost suburbs was getting tetchy. Referee Dassakhon
Hokla wasn’t particularly covering himself in glory, with his weak match
management. He sent off home player Songkhun Khongsukko and away man Nitibodin
Makot for a set-to, which involved nearly everyone on the pitch. There were
fifteen minutes of additional time at the end of the half. Sarankrit Artwichien
extended the lead in the third, with a fine low finish.
I was
certainly not short of material for my Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast. The one dampener was that owner Mark was away on business and missed
the match. I’m sure he would have enjoyed sitting in relaxed mode in the stand.
It was great fun, with ice-cold Leo’s lubricating the larynx regularly.
The second
half was wide open as the match ball collected splinters coming back repeatedly off the
post and bar, with the keepers at both ends well beaten. Sarankrit made it 4-0
seven minutes in, before a fifth was added by substitute, Kawee Deesawat, with
around twenty-five minutes remaining.
Credit to
Saraburi, who were cheered on without much restraint by a healthy turnout,
despite requests to respect the passing of Queen Sirikit. They continued to
plug away and had a couple of decent efforts saved before the break, before
they got one back through Nattapoom Naya three minutes from time. He added
another four minutes into stoppage time, with one wondering what might have
been if they had penetrated the often-unreliable Futera defence earlier.
It was excellent entertainment all told, albeit not a great advert for a professional league at times, as time seemed not to matter. A vital win for Futera, in a battle to secure safety, which would mark a decent return and something to build on, while their association with the PSW Academy continues to flourish.
A Grab taxi
arrived to take us away, as one had delivered us at the splendid Bangkok
University Stadium and campus earlier. More enjoyment followed after a ride on
the BTS Skytrain with a proper catch-up and plenty more beers at a couple of
bars at Lat Phrao.
Pretty much
the perfect day out until Mark messaged me with the desperately sad news that
the father of Futera player, Sarawin Sungkhao, had been killed in a road
accident, while thought to be on the way to the match, being a supporter who rarely missed a game. This
article is dedicated to the players, families, and all at Futera United.
Kanthararom United FC is an amateur football club, formed in 2017, that hails from the small town of the same name on the road between Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.
In 2017 and 2018, the team entered the Thailand Amateur League without any success, as well as the Thai FA Cup in 2018, when known as NBN Kanthararom United, they lost 3-0 to JL Chiangmai United, with the tie being played at SAT Sisaket Stadium in front of 240 fans.
The side returned to the FA Cup in 2022-23, going out 2-1 away to Khon Kaen in the first round with Jeerawat Thonglue in charge of the team. Fellow amateur club, Mahanakon Khon Kaen ended any hopes of progression in the competition in 2023-24 with a 3-1 victory in the Qualifying Round.
Kanthararom did not enter the following season, but returned in 2025-26, going out once again in the Qualifying Round 4-1 to Khon Kaen, with the game being switched to Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium, as Jeerwat remained in charge of the team.
Despite playing in the national cup, Kanthararom do not play regular league football, with much of their activity centred around the small-sided NBN Arena pitch, on the main 226 Road, where local competition takes place.
My visit
Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium
Kanthararom United 1 Khon Kaen 4 (Wednesday 24th September 2025) Thai FA Cup Qualifying Round (att: 200)
As the amateur team from my nearest town doesn’t have a suitable venue in Kanthararom, they switched the match to the Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium, a few miles up the road.
They gave it a good go, too, against the pros from Thai League 3 Northeast. Quality and fitness were decisive factors in the end of an entertaining game played on a glue pot pitch in good spirits, which was sensibly refereed.
Khon Kaen went into a two-goal lead with efforts from the impressive Sakunchai Saenthopho in the second minute and then the excellent Charin Boodhad on the half-hour mark after he had earlier missed a penalty, as the rain teemed down before clearing near half-time. It looked like a large score was on the horizon.
This was before the hosts gradually got back into things and missed two easy chances, playing enterprising football at times despite being porous at the back. The second missed chance took some believing as a forward sliding in at the back post cleared the ball from a yard out.
The visiting coach brought on Brazilian forward Caio when Kanthararom looked like they might sneak a goal back. He was excellent, helping Charin to a second. The home team did score when a low cross was put away at the back post by Arnon Thongphanya, before the final kick of the match saw Caio put away a penalty.
I’d met my mate John before the game for food and drink at Leo’s town, as we knew there should have only been half an hour before the second part of our extravaganza got underway. The weather certainly played a part in the Sisaket United v Padriew City game.
Pre-Season
Friendlies: What do supporters really learn from them?
Sisaket
United 2 All Star 3
Wednesday 16th
July 2025
Attendance:
c100 – Admission Free
Last week, around the world, the pre-season friendlies began with a smattering of grand
titles given to some of them to try and add to their prestige, with teams sometimes competing in smaller tournaments
with absolutely nothing riding on them. Thailand is no different.
My attention
was drawn to a thread on the excellent Non League Matters Forum entitled “What
are friendlies telling you about the season ahead?”, wanting feedback from
those who had already attended games. The general consensus being “very little”,
with managers and clubs’ socials spun it in whichever way they think benefitted
them.
A win would typically
be described as an excellent morale booster with the new signings being a
stroke of genius and a pointer of things to come, while defeat opined as being good
to get some miles into the legs of players rather than just training. Much of
which, of course, exists to satisfy supporters and help selling merchandise and
tickets, while ensuring the optimism continues to build until reality strikes.
Anyway, with
my local club Sisaket United having announced six friendlies, but only one at
home, it seemed churlish not to go and meet my mate John and see what we could
decipher. Here are some of the key things that I picked up.
The
match probably shouldn’t have gone ahead on a waterlogged mud bath. The pitch
was heavily chewed up throughout, and while in a sensible world, at least a
groundsman would use the opportunity to roll the surface and make advantage of
the weather, it will be left to dry with divots going hard, ensuring the pitch
will be equally hopeless when it dries.
It
rains heavily in the wet season in Sisaket. Very heavily. So heavily that the
storm five minutes before we were due to play golf abandoned our plans,
rendering the course unsuitable, this two hours before the football in the
stadium next door was to commence.
Yorkshire
bowled very well v Lancashire in the T20, which rerun from Friday, we watched
in Hong Kong Garden instead of the golf, immediately putting a smile on my
face.
The
two-for-one pints on the promotion of Mahou in Leo’s post-match were excellent
value, as was the standard of the bangers and mash.
My
wife and I have found an excellent place for food and coffee on the main road
into town, on the forecourt of a Shell gas station, no less.
The
toilets have not been cleaned in the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium since I first
went in September 2022, and goodness knows how long before that, and counting.
They smell like you can imagine, being frankly a disgrace, and quite possibly a
health hazard.
Ditto
the seats in the stand. Yesterday we were given the option of sitting in
puddles accrued in the bucket seats or choosing those at the back under the
roof infested with bird droppings. Another disgrace, and something so simple
for the club to sort out, even as tenants, by hiring a couple of locals to clean
the seats and the toilets before each game.
The
bow-legged physio is still there, quite possibly the slowest in Thai football.
A pleasant old boy, calling him a physio is akin to calling me a chef for preparing
a cheese sandwich with a mug of tea after my siesta. He goes on with spray and
water.
Hardly
any of the Sisaket team on display will feature in the first team squad, or at
least I sincerely hope not. The young goalie who was replaced, coming off
smiling after shipping in three goals I’d have fancied myself to save, should
be particularly concerned about his career prospects, should they include
professional footballer anywhere in the description. I suspect many were trialists
whom the new coach decided to take a look at. One was withdrawn not with an
injury, but what I would describe as avoiding further punishment, so bad and
unfit was he.
And that’s
probably about it. I shouldn’t really have expected too much more either. If I
did, I was being naïve and suffering from amnesia, as it’s the same every
season. At least there was a bit of intrigue surrounding this fixture, which
had my imagination doing overtime on the drive into town.
During my
many years assisting with the running of cricket events in this part of the world,
we would sometimes need an extra team to assist with the logistics, so we would
put together a hybrid side and call them “All Stars”. What they were, in effect,
consisted of those who couldn’t get a game with the team they’d travelled with,
solo attendees, and anyone else whom we could convince to play after a couple of beers.
It wasn’t
unusual for a bloke to head out innocently for the evening with a lady in tow, for
him to have to explain to her that she had a free couple of days because a set
of blokes he’d never previously clapped eyes upon had convinced him that
cricket was a great idea.
As it transpired,
this All Star team originated from Paris, an Academy, according to one of the
two coaches when I delved trying to find out some info from behind the benches at
the first of two breaks. The game was being played in three periods of thirty
minutes. The All Star group apparently also have a network in Thailand. In
football, presumably, but one never knows for certain over here. The players and
coaches spoke English or French, with some a bit of both. We thought we recognised
one of the coaches, maybe from being previously an assistant at Bangkok FC.
All were
available for hire should any club wish to negotiate with them. There was the
Yasothon FC coach in attendance, and I wouldn’t be surprised if representatives
of other clubs hadn’t gone along for a decko. Some of the players weren’t bad. Some
were. They were physically stronger than the Sisaket lads and went into a 3-0
lead. We headed off after an hour and missed Sisaket scoring two in the final
period.
All Star guns for hire. How many will get pro contracts?
The All Star mob played in a kit without numbers, only some of the Sisaket players had them, while the pitch had not been marked, with penalty areas, halfway and touchlines being designated by cones, some on the pitch. Not that it bothered the players, which in a way shows just how pampered some pros really are. We were ten minutes late starting, waiting for a linesman, allowing me to get my first "get on with it" of the season shout from the stand, which was pent up inside of me after watching the England v India Test match on TV.
We
were soon perusing the menu in Leo’s and trying to work out what we had learned. Very
little, although in a rare optimistic moment using plenty of guesswork, I suggested to my friend that Sisaket
will be more than OK this season. And that is what pre-seasons friendlies are to supporters. Guesswork and something to fill a void.
The one
thing that was for certain was that entering a football ground, having a chat
with others, and watching the players do their thing at whatever level while
discussing it, is still as magical as ever. Bring on the fixture announcements!
It’s that
time of the year once again when football supporters all around the world have
no games to attend, instead filling the void by trawling any means of
information for stuff about their team that they hope will deliver them hope
and make all the difference.
Thailand is
no different, although sometimes the communication leaves a little to be
desired, which I will touch on later. I have noticed this year that more clubs
seem to be advertising their season ticket offers and unveiling their new
playing kits a little earlier, or is that just me? Maybe I’m using better
sources.
More and
more groups on social media are posting, some for the first time, about
transfer rumours and who will sign for whom, particularly in the case of
foreign players. Even in my few bored moments, I find myself trying to find the
name of some unknown player on one of the online sites, often misspelt when
translated, to see their career stats.
The sad fact
is that in many cases, that gives me as much indication of the ability of the
next import who’ll often flatter to deceive, mainly in the lower divisions, as
those signing them. The players in question quickly decide or realise that what
the club or their agent sold them doesn’t quite match up to reality, as they
become part footballer, part holidaymaker with the local hotspots and those
serving food that they are used to feeling the benefits. Meanwhile, the dedicated pros still around wonder why they are bothering.
COMING SOON. The excitement builds!
It never
fails to amaze me just how many clubs are duped into signing a player on the evidence
of a small YouTube highlight package, inflated stats, and the thought of the said
signing winning favour among local support as the vanity of the owner is increased
further. Some even go on to pay their players in full until the end of the
season.
In fairness,
it’s not easy owning a Thai club, especially outside the top division. It is a
quick way to spend money without much return, with meagre attendance figures going
nowhere near covering the outlay, with sponsorship and TV deals lessening the
financial black hole a little. Of course, better marketing and putting a sound
infrastructure in place would improve things, as well as proper recruitment,
but those things seem for the birds as things stand. Asking for outside help
would equate to a loss of face, which is as bad as it gets for an influential
person in the Land of Smiles.
I can also
see why the official pages of clubs on social media don’t make announcements
about new players when sources run by fans are full of information. A lot of which
is inaccurate, with clickbait being offered in return for likes. They are fed rumours by players, coaches, and agents, some of which
are designed to try and press the club into making a new signing or increasing
the salary of a player if it appears online that others are interested in them. It makes me long for printed newspapers and respected journalists dealing in facts.
Will they or won't they. The guessing game continues as a few more likes are accumulated.
It's the classic
playbook used everywhere, as the games of cat and mouse continue, hoping to get
a few more flights home out of a club, or maybe a vehicle and accommodation
being paid for. Many of the owners, not having much of a clue, take the bait,
and the cycle continues.
All of which
is played out while vital things that could make a massive difference, even
more so as the rain falls heavily during the off-season, are ignored. Take one
of my local clubs, Sisaket United. I thrash my way around the golf course next
door to the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium. The goals are still up from last
season. The pitch resembles where my ball lands on occasions.
Even in
provincially owned stadiums, surely a club could approach the local authority in
charge and ask that, at the club owners' expense, a heavy roller be hired to
flatten the pitch and carry out reseeding work. Then the players have a chance
of playing on something fit for modern purposes and see passes roll in the
direction that they are meant to, without making the receiver look like an idiot
as it jumps up and hits them on the knee.
A very uneven Thai football pitch
Maybe
employing qualified medical staff or building a local partnership in return for
free advertising might not go amiss, instead of having their investments
treated by enthusiastic amateurs.
Pre-season
friendly matches are already being played as trialists are weeded out, while
fans wait eagerly for announcements about fixtures for their chance to see the
team in action and buy the merchandise. It won’t be long before coaches are
sacked, and the fans see their hopes of success disappear for another season.
The only
guarantees are that Buriram will become even more dominant, rumours will be flying
around about clubs folding or foreign players not being paid, it will be lots
of fun for very little cost, and the beers will be cold.
Warin
Chamrap is a semi-professional football club which represents the district of
the same name, which is located just south of the city of Ubon Ratchathani in
Northeast Thailand. The club has a heritage that goes back to 1998.
In the
Thailand Amateur League in 2022, Warin Chamrap ended as runners-up to JFAM
United in the Northeast Southern Zone Group E on goal difference to end any
dreams of further progression in the competition.
The club
partook in the FA Cup in the 2022-23 season, defeating Phachi City 1-0 in the
first round at Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Stadium before going out
4-1 away to Ratchaburi under the watchful eye of head coach Jirayoo Suwandee.
In 2024-25,
the team went out in the cup in the Round of 64, 2-1 away to Lampang, before
competing in the Semipro League, playing their home games at Ubon Ratchathani
University Stadium in their home district. In the semi-pro league, the side
finished way short of the title but attracted decent attendances.
My visit
Ubon
Ratchthani University Stadium
Warin
Chamrap 0 Vongchavalitkul University 1 (Saturday 10th May 2025) Thai Semipro
League Northeast (att: 480)
My pal,
John, and I had seen the visitors in action a fortnight earlier away to Ubon
Kids City, when after a reasonable start they ended up getting pumped 6-0. The
following week, their home game ended in a 7-1 defeat to Mahasarakhan Siwilai.
We pondered what they might produce this time.
Our day out
began relatively early, before this 4 pm kick-off, with John collecting me at
home before we headed to Ubon to play golf at the Suppasit Prasong Military
Golf Course. Fun was had playing a proper course with caddies, and certainly an
upgrade on the smaller facility we had been using in Sisaket.
One thing
about playing proper golf when not used to it was the fact that it was a lot
more tiring than I remembered. We needed refreshing and energy stocks
replenishing. We eventually sat down inside the air-conditioned Tree Cafe Rim
Moon that I’d visited a couple of times previously.
It was a
Thai holiday weekend, which was reflected by the busy establishment, where
excellent local snacks and a bottle of Heineken Zero were enjoyed, with me on a
month of abstinence from alcohol to try and shed a bit of timber.
It was
further than we thought to Ubon Ratchathani University, if a simple enough
route. The pair of us were surprised by just what a spread-out city it is, with
Warin being a continuation of it these days. Many eating and drinking
establishments told a tale of a large population south of the River Mun.
The area
near the entrance to the campus had quite a collection of businesses, while
inside the grounds, we found things to be a little dated and neglected in
parts. I’d contemplated going to a game there a couple of years earlier. I
would most certainly have needed a driver to the stadium, as the area was huge.
We arrived
at the same time as a bus load of military cadets, while another bus for
youngsters would come later. The club had put up signage at the front entrance
and along the long route inside the campus to direct those wanting to find the
stadium, which impressed me.
As did the
setting up of a souvenir stall selling replica shirts at a knockdown price,
with the season nearing its end. Everyone seemed very friendly. The obligatory
man on the mic talked incessantly while playing modern Thai tunes, creating the
semblance of an occasion.
We sat in
the quieter of the two blocks in the main stand separated by the usual media
and officials’ area. Three away supporters who had made the five-hour journey
from Nakhon Ratchasima were behind us. My attention was drawn to something
quite unusual as the teams warmed up.
I was
certain that the goal to the left was taller than the one on the right. Maybe
an optical illusion, or the pitch sloping, I wasn’t sure, but it simply didn’t
look right. It wasn’t alcohol playing a part, of that much I was certain.
In the early
stages, it quickly became apparent that the pitch was in awful condition, with
bumps all over it making control difficult. That wasn’t to say that some of the
players on display couldn’t be to blame as well, as what materialised was a
quite frankly shocking game of football, yet entertaining at the same time, if
that makes sense.
Referee
Rutratchapoom Moolpong played his part in this, as in the first half an hour,
he hardly gave a foul. Players were lying down injured as he simply waved play
on, leaving anyone in little doubt that he wasn’t going to be fooled by those
play acting. Sometimes he let things go too far.
By the time
he signalled for the drinks break after thirty minutes, Warin looked alright
going forward but hadn’t forced the VU goalkeeper, Phumin Prokkaew, into a
save. Home forward Winai Jarukan seemed to know what he wanted to do in terms
of chesting the ball down and retaining possession without knowing how.
The
University side had gone ahead after nineteen minutes. Their left-sided
defender Chayathat Thupmongkhon tried a speculative shot from thirty yards,
which caught goalie, Pattarawut Saengsanoh, off his line and out of position
and went into the top corner of the net.
VU came
close to doubling the lead shortly after. A low cross flashed across the
six-yard line, but there was no away team forward able to get on the end of it.
They then decided that they would hang on to what they had, to the frustration
of the home team players and supporters.
The ref
completely changed tack after the restart before halftime as he blew his
whistle so regularly, I was half expecting him to play the national anthem on
it. Once the teams went down the tunnel, a free raffle was held to win team
shirts, another nice touch.
Play got
worse, if anything, after the restart, as dark clouds began to build in the
distance, with occasional flashes of lightning. VU were using all the dark arts
they could think of to keep the hosts at bay, putting in a desperate display
trying to please their coach Therdtoon Kahkai.
Home coach,
Jirayoo Suwandee was apoplectic at the performance of the officials as his team
still failed to have a meaningful shot on target despite having plenty of the
ball and putting on pressure. One had to admire the doggedness of the
Vongchavalitkul rearguard.
Warin
defender Chakrit Champasrl lost his rag and got booked for an X-rated foul on
Adison Budken, who in turn had been fouling his way through the second half. He
hobbled off in agony to be replaced by Chatchawan Chonphakdi, much to our
delight in the stands.
The robust
defender kicked whatever was near him in the direction he was facing, much in
the same way as the last time we had watched him. A player of no discernible
talent, but someone committed to the cause, he refused to waver, much like many
Sunday League players back home.
Warin mounted
a couple of attacks and added pressure in the box, but the VU rearguard put
their collective bodies on the line and stood firm until full-time, much to the
delight of the trio sitting behind us. A terrible game of football, but
enjoyable in its own way.
We stopped a
couple of times on the way back towards home so that I could grab some
groceries, with our car still in dock at the repair shop. A good day out.
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