Queen Sirikit's 60th Anniversary Stadium (Bangkok)

Queen Sirikit's 60th Anniversary Stadium, also sometimes referred to as Khlong 6 Stadium, or Chaloem Phra Kiat Stadium, is part of the Department of Physical Education complex in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani province, just north of the capital.

It was opened in 1992 to mark the birthday of Queen Sirikit, with it going on to predominantly stage football matches over the years as well as athletics events. Bangkok Glass, later to become BG Pathum United took over Krung Thep Bank FC in 2009 and played their home games at the venue. 

A year later they moved to their new stadium, nine km towards Rangsit, where Leo Stadium, as was known at the time, was inaugurated. Rangsit United spent the 2019 season at the stadium before they changed their name to Inter Bangkok and moved to the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi

The iCon RSU, won promotion to Thai League 3 for the 2023-24 season, announcing ticket prices and that fixtures would be played at the Queen Sirikit. However, a refurbishment coincided with the start of the season, meaning they headed elsewhere never to return and were relegated at the end of the season.

My visit

Sunday 19th January 2025

The previous day my wife Taew and I headed to Pattaya to catch up with friends and enjoy an extremely sociable few hours. Waking after a solid sleep, we quickly got to the bus station for services returning to Suvarnabhumi. The packed bus had made good time, which was ideal as neither of us was in top form. 

On arrival back in the capital I was dropped off on the way back to Minburi so I could catch a train and bus to the T3 Central clash between AUU Inter Bangkok and Chamchuri United. A kind student helped when the bus conductor couldn’t understand which stop I required before I sat back and enjoyed the ride.

Thanyaburi is a long way from central Bangkok as I soon remembered. We continued past BG Stadium and under the motorway to Ayutthaya and the city before I bailed out on the main road rather than remaining on to the terminus at RMUTT University. It turned out to be an inspired choice, more by luck than judgment. 

While Google Maps is a great tool, it is wholly inept at showing boundaries to properties or complexes. Presuming all the land with various sports fields belonged to the university was inaccurate as I quickly discovered. Everything on the left of the approach road to the educational establishment belonged to the Department of Physical Education.

And what a site it was. Once through the gates, I saw two hockey pitches, one with a majestic main stand, two athletic tracks, one with an artificial surface for football inside it, as well as the Institute for Sports Science, and a gym. A croquet tournament was being played on two lawns just south of the Queen Sirikit Stadium. 

The main arena had a magnificent main stand with smaller open spectator accommodation opposite. A large scoreboard stood at the far end, but without doubt, the standout feature was the four magnificent floodlight pylons, like relics from 1960s Eastern Europe.

Once I had taken my snaps I was in for an additional treat as I found an open-sided baseball park and then the national stadium, which I didn’t previously know existed. What a small stadium it was, and while needing some maintenance and loving care, surely somewhere to be visited to watch a game under the lights. 

Thailand Baseball Stadium

It was a bit of a trek back to the only open gate of the complex, and the security guard looked perplexed at the direction I had come from, but it had been well worth the detour.

Siam FC

 

Siam FC is a semi-professional football club located in the Thai capital of Bangkok, which was originally formed in 2011 as Rangsit FC, who were given a place in the third tier Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region as an expansion club in 2012.

A debut season eleventh place playing at Leo Stadium, home of Bangkok Glass. A change of name for the following campaign to Thonburi BG United followed, with the team a reserve side for Glass, with home games played at Thonburi University Stadium. 

The side ended second from bottom in Central & Western Region prior to a move back to the Bangkok region, where they reverted to the Rangsit name, finishing in midtable while playing at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Satadium.

A return to Leo Stadium followed in 2015, and with it, a slight improvement on the pitch, with another similar position being achieved a year later. Thai football extended to four tiers for the 2017 season, which saw the club become Bangkok Glass B in the Bangkok region of Thai League 4, where the team ended third.

2018 saw another retitle, as BGC ended in the Champions League playoff positions, where their hopes of promotion ended in defeat to Hua Hin City as Phattharaphon Jansuwan led the scoring. At this point, the club was taken over and renamed Siam FC.

The side played half the 2019 campaign at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, with the other at Nonthaburi Province Stadium, with the side ending in seventh place as Ghanian striker Oscar Plape provided the goals under coach Alireza Hassanalizadeh who was replaced by Philip Adejoh. 

A turbulent campaign ended with Boonyanaisakdi Yiamran in charge of the side. The club set up an academy at the same time, to try and nurture its own production line of talent. The 2020-21 season saw Thai professional football revert to three levels, and to adopt the European playing calendar.

Siam finished second from bottom of the table, in which Hassanalizadeh had another spell at the helm, followed by Ruben Fortunato Lopez and then Matu Conde. A vastly improved performance saw a sixth-place finish in 2021-22 after relocation to the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi.

That season saw Sarfo Otis Adjei end as the top scorer for the team led by Kobenan Leon N'Guatta from November 2021, prior to the return of coach Adejoh. Adisorn Kittipornpracha was put in charge of the side at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Adjei also led the scoring charts in 2022-23 in a season that saw coach Adisorn Kittipornpracha replaced by Sergio De Mota with a couple of games remaining. However, the Spaniard could not rescue the team that was relegated.

The club appeared to fold shortly after with no further updates on their social media page.

My visits

Siam FC 1 Inter Bangkok 0 (Sunday 4th September 2022) Thai League Cup First Qualification Round (att: c150)

 

My third visit to the 72nd Anniversary Stadium after previously seeing BEC Tero Sasana and Inter Bangkok as home sides there. This encounter would see the two clubs currently sharing the venue do battle in a cup tie.

My friend Gary was down from Buriram eager to tick the venue off his list, as we were going to the match between Police Tero and Port afterwards. On a gloomy Sunday lunchtime, he and his girlfriend headed for lunch with Taew and me. 

We met at the decent Phahon View Restaurant on Khum Klao for some nice food, before my good lady headed off to open her bar, while we went over the road and down the lane to the match, where free admission was an obvious bonus.

The 72nd Anniversary Stadium is a venue like many others used in lower-league Thai football. It has a track around the pitch and stands on either side. The ones in Minburi are big, the place is showing signs of age, and it is far too big for any of its uses. A proper white elephant.

That said, the views high up under the roof are excellent. The pitch, like many other hired-out arenas was hard, bumpy, and badly maintained. We saw what turned out to be a reasonable match as both sides tried to play football.

Inter had been taken over by AUU in the close season, and I expected them to be the stronger of the sides, but not for the first time, my prediction was wrong. The teams were separated by a goal from Otis Sarfo Adjei, which was scored nine minutes before halftime.

The facilities for spectators were pretty much nonexistent, with toilets, which were far from pristine, being the only amenity. The chance of refreshments was zero, which was a shame as when I saw Tero playing there it was an excellent set-up.

At full time we sped away as quickly as possible to pick up our mutual mate Steve in the centre of Minburi ready for the evening’s action, which was truncated by a huge storm and the three of us getting drenched.

Siam FC 0 Royal Thai Army 1 (Saturday 19^th November 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: 75)

It was an unexpected return later in the season, as I wanted to stay close to Minburi, as my friends were coming to Brothers and Sisters Bar to celebrate my birthday. I knew Taew was making an effort, so I didn’t want to be worn out or late.

My plan was a Minburi City friendly at 3pm at Kanjanapat Arena, not too far away and handy to get to by bus. Unfortunately, that fell foul of the overnight rain, and I wouldn’t have been too worried about staying in until I received a message from a mate.

 

Brett Johnston and his daughter Libby were in town and keen to catch up, and they didn’t mind going to football, so they agreed to meet me at Min Residence. From there we took a taxi to the stadium.

It’s fair to say that this would not have been my first pick, especially as Port were at home to Buriram United later, but that was sadly out of bounds. Admission was 80 Baht, and the club looked like they'd found a volunteer to sell tickets, but the atmosphere was negligible.

At least I knew to advise my friends to pop into 7/11 and take refreshments with them. I’d seen the Army side win at Kasem Bundit a few weeks earlier, and their style matched their persona. They were fit and disciplined but not hugely flamboyant. 

It was lovely to catch up and try to answer as best I could the questions about the lower leagues of Thai football, and why such a small game was being played in such a huge stadium. I honestly did not know. 

The only surprise to me was how long it took the Army outfit to break the deadlock. It might have been the pitch, or some hard work from Siam, who played nothing like the lovely stuff I would see from their Academy team on a couple of occasions.

The goal eventually arrived halfway through the second period, when substitute Wasin Tiammuang thrilled the gaggle of away fans along the main stand. Both sides tried their best, but it was pretty obvious that the goal would be decisive. 

We departed a few minutes from full-time, not to beat the traffic, I hasten to add. Sod's law decreed that there were no taxis, so walked along to the main road. I dropped my friends by Minburi Market so that they could have a good mosey while I grabbed an hour on the bed.

They both joined me, Brett, for a very long drink, at my favourite bar where a wonderful night of food and drink ensued. And Port took a beating, so all in all, things probably worked out for the best. Friends are always more important than football.

AUU Inter Bangkok

 

AUU Inter Bangkok is a professional football club based in the western district of Minburi in the Thai capital. The club was formed in 2015 under the name Bangkok University Deffo and played at Bangkok University Stadium in Rangsit.

The team was placed in the third tier Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region where they finished third from the bottom of the table. Improvement came in 2016 with a third place, which gained a place in the retitled Thailand League 3 Lower where the performance was replicated as Anusak Laosangthai put away the goals.

However, the side was relegated in 2018 after finishing in bottom spot as Deffo FC and playing at TOT Stadium in Chaeng Watthana, dropping down to Thai League 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region when the title was changed again, this time to Rangsit United, and playing home games at Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Stadium in Pathum Thani.

The Thai League system was changed for the 2020-21 season, with the calendar matching that of Europe, and also reverting to three tiers. Inter Bangkok came into being relocating to 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi with the club being attached to the Inter youth academy.

72nd Anniversary Stadium Minburi

 

The change of name failed to change fortunes for the side coached at the end of the campaign by Daniel Melo as they finished bottom of the table despite the goalscoring efforts of the Brazilian, Caio Da Conceicao Silva.

Fortunately, for Inter owing to the Covid pandemic, there was no relegation, as they retained their league status. Intouch Yamyindee netted as the side improved by two places in 2021-22 under coach Kantameth Rodprasidh before he was replaced by Sunti Songte.

The stadium frontage in Minburi

A link up with AUU, of who little is known, aside from being connected to Bangkok Premier League club AUU Dream Team, saw a tinkering with the club title for the 2022-23 campaign, with Chaitud Uamtham taking up the role as head coach and overseeing a stark improvement.

The new moniker and restructuring paid dividends as the side ended in tenth place Aphiwat Charoenlai topping the scoring charts. A season later the side finished a place lower as Kamron Samranphan took over as coach midway through the campaign.

Making their presence felt in Thanyaburi

Santichai Anusim took over team affairs for the 2024-25 season as Inter with placed in the Central Region. He was gone a third of the way through to be replaced by Aphirak Sriarun. It was all change for the second half of the season. The club moved to play home games at the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) stadium in Pathum Thani.

It is unclear whether this is a permanent move at the time of writing. The move also heralded a new coach in the shape of Nattawoot Ausuwantim. 

AUU Inter Bangkok will play in Thai League 3 Central in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Inter Bangkok 0 North Bangkok University 9 (Sunday 20^th February 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Region (att: 60)

I set out to my football in a melancholy mood, with the news that someone I used to play against and have an occasional drink with back home of a similar age, had died. It was certainly a jolt and a reminder to enjoy every day. In the end, I gave myself a shake and headed to the local market.

From here I knew that a bus went reasonably close to the cavernous 72nd Anniversary Stadium. There was no sign of a bus, so I decided to set off walking along Sihaburanukit Road and grab a taxi if all else failed.

As it happened a bus did arrive, and the conductor was most helpful in telling me the nearest stop when we approached. From there it was a further thirty-minute walk down Thanon Khum Klao and then the approach Khum Klao Alley to the stadium on a very warm day.

Taking on some water as I walked, I started to feel a bit more upbeat, noticing how the area had developed since I visited the arena when BEC Tero Sasana were the host club. However, it was a different story at the stadium. 

Thai Honda took on residency to displace Tero who merged with Police United. The whole place looked scruffy and pain peeling and rust appearing. Lots of seats had been removed from the main side, which was the only one open. Admission was free with an absence of club officials noticeable.

While I thought things were a bit tardy off the pitch, I hadn’t seen anything yet. Inter’s home performance was simply shambolic. As North Bangkok were pushing for a play-off spot, it was definitely not a good day to be off it, as it were.

 

The audible groans that accompanied the opening goal from Veeraphong Aon-pean after a defensive howler was a prelude to what was to come. The classy Russian forward, Sergey Tumasyan made it 2-0 with a tap in halfway through the first period. Home defender Jefferson Rico then put through his own net.

Tumasyan extended the lead with a fantastic goal before Assanee Panwang gave the smattering of home fans a moment of rest bite when he shot wide in a rare attack before another effort produced a great save from visiting keeper Sanan Amkoed.

Tumasyan added a couple more before the period ended, the second from the penalty spot right on half time as his team went down the tunnel 6-0 ahead, with what I thought could be many more to come.

As there was no possibility of any refreshments I remained in my seat at the break, noticing some not unattractive WAGS had decided to offer their hapless Inter partners some support. Several descending flights heading to Suvarnabhumi offered alternative entertainment. An unusual feature was girls carrying out the ball-retrieving duties.

Home coach Sunti Songte hooked defender Pittaya Nuchkrasae at the break after previously sparing Nopphon Phon-Udom who must have been chuffed to bits to avoid further punishment. To be fair Inter improved after the interval, not that they could have got any worse.

It was that man Tumasyan again just past the hour mark who hooked in at the near post prior to heading for an early shower following a job well done. He was replaced by Tanat Wongsupaluk who would have a say later in proceedings.

A couple of away fans tried to create an atmosphere with a continual out-of-tune duet and accompanying drum. I could only think that referee Sila Jinnigorn felt sorry for the home team as he awarded them a penalty. Amkoed predictable saved Rico’s effort. What a day he enjoyed!

Wongsupaluk made it 8-0 when his header was cleared from behind the line. NBU missed a guilt-edged chance when the overworked keeper Natthawut Kiakhuntod managed to make a decent stop and tip a downward header over the bar.

 

However, he was helpless when Wongsupaluk was given the freedom of the park to waltz through and complete the hammering. I headed back to Suwinthawong Road where I hailed a taxi. It had been a tough day, and I had a peaceful quiet night at home.

I’d like to think Daz Brining, who had died suddenly in Scarborough, would have appreciated my choice of match, as he played in better contests. RIP fella.

AUU Inter Bangkok 2 Thonburi United 5 (Sunday 3rd September 2023) Thai League Cup 1st Qualifying Round (att: 151)

The third-tier sides competed in the first couple of qualifying rounds of the competition before their league season got underway a couple of weeks later. Therefore, this could well have been a useful pointer to where the corresponding teams would end in the following February.

The visitors put in a good strong display against game hosts who lacked in some important departments. Thonburi, run by their local University, went ahead on four minutes when Kittipong Seanphong was given a free header from a corner which he made no mistake from. 

Inter, with a good youth set up and training ground near the venue. that looked a far better outfit in general should have levelled but Otis somehow put it wide. A sitter on the dock of the goal if you will. He wasn't going to be the talk of the town anytime soon on this showing.

However, parity was soon restored Siriwat Sinturak smashed home after a header was cleared off the line. The home side showed great promise at this stage but six minutes from the break Teerawat Wongsa clumsily fouled Suradech Klankham in the box. 

Argentinian forward, Ramiro Lizaso sent the keeper the wrong way to score from the spot. The lead was extended further, as Inter had clearly not learned from their earlier poor marking as Seanphong scored in repeat fashion before the sides trotted down the tunnel while I had a walk around the far side.

The hosts returned with increased intent after the interval and saw a shot cannon back off the underside of the bar, before United went 4-1 ahead when the muscly Nigerian forward Bright Friday went on a surging run, cut inside, and delivered a low shot into the corner of the net before firing over an easy opportunity.

Thonburi keeper Pattarapong Patcharoon was keen on the theatrical side of his art, but he made a tremendous fingertip save before Friday made it 5-1. A stoppage-time goal from sub Tanasorn Janthrakhot added some respectability to the full-time score.

Both sets of fans did their best to create an atmosphere with chants and drums in the 10,000-capacity arena which is far too big and located in the middle of nowhere in the farthest east of Minburi district. The indoor hall next door played home to BTS in the Thai Futsal League.

At least the pitch was in decent nick, being helped, by Siam FC not sharing it since their relegation to allow the turf extra recovery time. However, the arena was in a state of decay, underused and underloved 

It was good to see small numbers of the public using the amenities with other activities taking place in the bowels of each stand including the Thai game of takraw, which is like the western game of head tennis only with a smaller harder ball made of rattan or durable plastic.

I went via the 131 bus, then a walk to get there from the main Suwinthawong Road. Fortunately, someone stopped and offered a lift for the last ten minutes as it was extremely hot. I took my own refreshments as there was nothing at the stadium. Admission cost 50 Baht.

I was offered some beers by an Argentinian among the away fans cheering on his compatriot, but I declined on this rare occasion. I was home in in 15 minutes by Grab taxi ready to watch some football on TV from the UK.

AUU Bangkok 4 Chamchuri United 1 (Sunday 19th January 2025) Thai League 3 Central (att: 120)

The previous week my wife, Taew and I had arrived back in Minburi after a long three weeks touring Thailand. We were to stay there until the beginning of February when we would return to Sisaket. Naturally enough, I began to look at the football fixtures and some possible games to go to.

AUU caught my attention as it showed that they had moved from Minburi to the RMUTT Stadium in Pathum Thani for the rest of the season, if not longer. It was a venue that I had yet to visit so that increased my interest further. However, plans are never that straightforward in the Land of Smiles. 

Friends from Scarborough were over and with Steve and Fah travelling down to Pattaya to see them, we decided to follow suit and make it a Saturday overnight stop. There are some certainties in life, one of which being Pattaya being noisy, fun, and tiring. Think Blackpool times ten in the heat.

We came out of it relatively unscathed and with the bus back depositing us at Suvarnabhumi before noon I sensed my opportunity. All my good lady wanted to do was to return home and sleep so I was dropped from the taxi so I could get on the pink MRT line at Minburi and head towards the match. 

I took my time to Lak Si, grabbing some food along the way. While tired I knew I was ahead of time and wanted to have some exercise and explore, despite wearing jeans which is a perfect way to lose weight in such a climate. I alighted from the 538 bus before the RMUTT terminus as there were other venues to see first.

It transpired that the Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Stadium belonged to the Department of Physical Education along with the many other splendid facilities and arenas within the complex. I had presumed it was all the same site and I’d be able to walk easily between them. That, unfortunately, is where Google Maps has its limitations. 

Not to worry, it was a longer walk than I anticipated but I was soon marching through the university campus as I heard the tune to signify the arrival of the teams out onto the pitch. I was within eyeshot when the King’s Anthem was played. Admission was 60 Baht, with visitors ridiculously having to pay twenty more.

I say ridiculous because I ended up sitting with the Chamchuri contingent purely because it was the first vomitory I came to from the concourse at the back of the impressive raised main stand. The open section opposite appeared to be closed. It was a pleasant venue with an enclosed feel to it despite having open ends. 

Inter had attempted to make it feel like home with new dugout covers with their name on in their purple colours while signage on the side of the stand reflected their twenty-fifth anniversary as a club. I was impressed and considered it an upgrade on their soulless Minburi residence.

Matched with efforts off the pitch, the hosts impressed me from the start, with their big forward Michael Arinze Anunobi making his debut. His performance all afternoon was too powerful and quick for his opponents. His side took the lead after seven minutes when Brazilian, Abraão shot low into the corner from the edge of the box. 

The home crowd, with a young band, were jubilant, but United should have drawn level soon after. Watcharapong Wanthong put the chance over as keeper Chayakorn Srithup advanced. Arinze fired across the face of goal with keeper Sakpon Nichakam beaten after forcing the chance himself.

Chamchuri should have restored parity, but Nattawut Suksamran headed over when free from a corner. I noticed one thing at this point that I missed from the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi. AUU didn’t have the same girls doing the ballboy duties. They always looked so keen, smart, and efficient. 

The lead was doubled with another low shot just before the half-hour mark as defender Afgun Jmasala fired home what may well have been a deflected effort. Sakpon made a fine save, tipping a fierce shot from Abraão onto the bar and over. I decided to head towards the exit with just one minute of stoppage time to be played.

It was an error on my part, hearing the cheer as I emerged outside after Nathaphong Thaisri reduced the arrears for the visitors. With no catering at the stadium, I went into the students' living area to buy a large bottle of water from an extremely helpful young shop assistant. 

The away side was in the ascendancy in the early stages after the break looking to level things up. They missed a guilt-edged chance and looked to me like the more likely winners at this stage. Arinze forced a fine stop out of Sakpon when his power once again had swatted away the Chamchuri defence like flies.

However, once AUU gained the impetus once more, the big man ran from the halfway line and slotted calmly past Sakpon to put the result to bed six minutes from time. By this point, I decided to use the facilities and head towards the exit. As luck would have it Abraão made it 4-1 while I was out of view. 

The action wasn’t quite done yet as another storming Arinze run resulted in him being dragged down in the area. Abraão missed the opportunity to complete his hat trick with his weak spot kick being easily saved. But it had been a brilliant AUU performance all told.

I was already in good form after an entertaining few hours, but my mood was enhanced further when the courtesy campus bus arrived and dropped me at the main gates where a bustling market was in progress. Tempting as it was, I wanted to get home. 

Again, fortune was on my side as a small bus was ready to depart to Rangsit from where another service took me to the Skytrain at Yæk Kor Por Aor. That part of the journey was an adventure in itself with a maniac driver and mad conductor hanging out of the open door at high speeds.

Despite trying to reduce costs further, I finally submitted and hailed a taxi for the last part of the journey from Ku Bon arriving home at just past 8 pm, a journey time of just over two hours. I was happy to eat and head straight to bed forgoing the EPL action on TV. A grand day out.