Lamphun Warriors

 

Lamphun Warriors FC is a professional football club from the city of Lamphun in northern Thailand, which is located around 25km south of the Lanna capital Chiang Mai. Until the 2020-21 season the club was called Lamphun Warrior, until an "s" was added to the title.

Formed in 2011, as the league structure continued to develop in the country, Warrior moved into the municipal Mae Guang Stadium to play their home games. The team ended their inaugural season in second spot of Regional League Division 2 Northern Region as Pat Thongpenkul led the scoring.

Sarawut Wongchai was the top scorer in 2012 as the team finished in a disappointing ninth position. Three consecutive eighth place finishes ensued, with Teerawut Wongtan offering a degree of potency up front.

The goals of Shola Jimmy Omotosho took Warrior to fifth position in 2016, before the league structure was altered for the 2017 campaign, with Lamphun being placed in Thai League 3 Upper Region.

Warrior ended the 2017 season in twelfth position. Goals were scarce, with Panuwat Sripao and Ekachai Pitsanu netting four each to top the charts. Aphirak Sri-arun oversaw the coaching duties for the 2018 campaign, which started out well and ended in third place, thanks to the goals of Saran Sridech. 

Ronnachai Pongputtha led the goals chart in 2019, with Warrior ending their season in third place with home attendances rising to second in the divisional rankings under head coach Jongsarith Wuttichuay.

 

Natan Oliveira netted with regularity in 2020-21, then now Warriors, finished as champions of Thai League 3 Northern Region before going on to top the Upper Region group in the Champions League play-offs and win promotion to the second tier, despite losing the final against Muangkhan United.

The upward trajectory continued following large financial investments in the club. Warriors went on to lift the League 2 championship in part through the goals of Thales Lima who joined mid-season from Udon Thani while keeper Samuel Cunningham led the clean sheet list.

 

Brazilian, Wanderley Junior, was initially appointed as head coach in 2022-23, however, Dusit Chalermsan replaced him before a ball was kicked. Alexandre Gama was appointed to the role in November 2022.

The club was required to decamp to Chaing Mai to use the 700th Anniversary Stadium while Mae Guang Stadium, also known as Lamphun Province Stadium was upgraded for Thai League 1 football. The goals of Mohammed Osman helped the side to a midtable finish in 2022-23

Warriors returned to their traditional home for the 2023-24 campaign as the side again cemented their status as Akarapong Pumwisat led the scoring. All this was while the out-of-town Lamphun Warriors Stadium neared completion and the ownership of the club changed hands as the previous incumbent upset the authorities through an online gambling expose.

The stadium hosted the opening two home games of the 2024-25 season before the authorities impounded it as it was registered by the previous owner. Lamphun were forced to return to the 700th Anniversary Stadium up the road in Chiang Mai.

Lamphun Warriors FC will play in Thai League 1 in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Monday 2nd April 2012

I was in Chiang Mai for the 25th anniversary of their International Cricket Sixes. Because I was involved in a match with Yarrambat, the Melbourne based side I represented the previous day, I was unable to attend when Warrior played at home, so I decided to visit on our day off.

Over an extended Sunday night drinking, my friends and teammates Russell Lamb, Dylan Forster and Simon Bray said that they'd like to go with me rather than just lying around the hotel. 

The following morning, I was waiting in the foyer of the Pornping Hotel at the designated time, when my pal's eventually began to appear. They had stayed out a lot later than me!

We hired a songthaew for 500 baht (around £10) to take us on our journey. I had to admit that Lamphun did seem a lot further than it appeared on the map. The others were in various states, none of which I would have described as being lively. 

The driver dropped us off at the market, where we had a good look around without ever getting close to purchasing anything. I led the party using my map, which I was sure was taking us the right way. We saw the old city wall and crossed the moat. 

I had the feeling that there wasn't a hundred per cent confidence in my orientation, and I was praying I was getting it right, with us having a team fines evening to follow that evening. We headed down a quiet road which did have me slightly concerned until I confirmed my route with some youngsters in a school playground.

Sure enough, we were soon by the bus station, with the stadium just around the corner. We checked out how often the buses ran before walking around to take a look at Mae Guang Stadium.

In truth, it was slightly disappointing, especially after my experience at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai the previous evening in the same division in which Warrior competed in. There was a Main Stand with a roof and open sections on either side of it at one side of the pitch. A tarmac running track surrounded the very bumpy playing area. On the far side of the pitch was an open stand. Both ends consisted of flat open standing.

We took some photos and had a walk on the pitch before heading back to the bus station. We got some water and nibbles. Poor Simo fell asleep once again on the small bus, which cost us just 20 baht each on the return. It was pretty packed, and I'm sure the locals would have been surprised to come across four farangs on their local bus route!

The good news for everyone was that the bus dropped us by the Gymkhana ground, which was hosting our cricket tournament. We were soon enjoying lunch and I went for a nice foot and leg massage while enjoying watching the action.

Absolute bliss and a good morning out. At least I thought so!

Sunday 30^th March 2014

Even extensive planning can sometimes go badly wrong, and this was a perfect example. All looked so perfect. I was in Chiang Mai again for the annual international cricket sixes. My team, Yarrambat didn’t have a game until Tuesday as several of the squad was involved in their Grand Final back in Victoria. 

Instead, I’d gone to the ground to assist the committee do a bit of commentary. Lamphun junior cricket coach Chris Dodd had given me travel advice for minibuses to Lamphun from outside the Gymkhana Ground and my mates had given me their blessing to miss dinner and meet up later. I mean what could go wrong.

A bus arrived and even though I had to stand for a while, I was in good form looking forward to ticking off another Thai venue and watching some football action. The journey had taken a bit longer than I’d hoped for, but for just 20 Baht (40p) I could hardly complain. 

We pulled into the bus station at 6.05 which was certainly later than I wanted. However, if I rushed, I’d just miss the first ten minutes, which was no real problem.

I jogged around to the stadium to find no football match in progress. Several residents were using the track around the pitch, and several youngsters were playing football in the middle, but it was definitely not the derby between Lamphun Warrior and Lampang.

I had no idea why it wasn’t taking place and I could spy no westerner to ask. Instead, I took a few photos of the stadium from a different angle to my previous visit. Two additional roofs had been added to the solitary stand, making it quite an impressive arena. This though was of scant consolation.

I grabbed a bottle of water and jumped aboard a large coach heading back to Chiang Mai. This took me along motorways past the Warrior training ground along the way and to the main bus station. As I’d previously never been there, this was at least useful for future reference.

I arrived back in town and went to my room for a quick change of clothes and to check the internet to see what had happened? The previous day many bars were shut after 4pm as Sunday saw the local Senate Elections take place. 

The authorities wanted to make sure locals voted. Consequently, the match had been moved forward twenty-four hours. An excellent Twitter had posted the news earlier in the week, but I’d missed it during my Bangkok frivolities. It transpires I missed a 0-0 draw.

I headed round to the White Lotus to meet with my pals to lots of laughter. I deserved nothing less!

Lamphun Warriors 2 Muangkan 0 (Sunday 1^st April 2018) Thai League 3 Upper Region (att: 794)

 Finally, I managed to get to a match at Mae Guang Stadium! I’d been commentating at the opening day of the 2018 Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes before getting away around 4pm in my quest to head south.

It was a hot day, and as I waited on the main road near the Gymkhana Ground a songthaew pulled up. I was quoted 500 Baht to the bus station in Lamphun just behind the stadium. This worked out at over £10, but the convenience suited me.

My driver and his missus had an unexpected windfall, but it was nice to spread out in the back and to travel alone. It allowed me to take a video as we went through the busy market area around Pa Sao.

Crowds were gathering on my arrival, with hundreds walking around the paths on the outside of the complex. I bought my admission ticket for 60 Baht (around £1.30) and some questionable snacks; which I initially thought to be chicken nuggets and fries.

There was no restriction on any seat, so I tried to get somewhere with a bit of legroom. It was good to see many of the junior players from the academy along with parents attending the match and supporting their home club.

The ground also had two or three separate sections playing drums and trying to get behind the team, but I wondered why they didn’t all join together and make a noise in unison? It was a phenomenon mirrored at several other Thai stadiums.

It was soon apparent that the playing surface was not going to assist free-flowing football on the deck. It was hard and bobbly and obviously used far too much as a community facility. Passing and control of the ball was extremely difficult.

The visitors came closest in the early stages when a free kick from wide went narrowly over the angle of post and bar with Warrior keeper Sakdawich Sert-lert flapping. A fine passing movement from the hosts, with the ball bouncing all over the place, put pressure on the visitor’s goal.

Lamphun’s Panuwat Sripao looked decent enough as he tried to pull the strings before his side went 1-0 up on thirty-nine minutes as Apichai Ku-or scored with a sliding finish from a cross to the near post.

At the interval, I decided to explore to see if there was a shortcut back to the bus station, before settling for a place on the open side from a different angle, and to hopefully see a different match!

The Muangkan team came out looking the better side after the break and was full of attacking intent. Unfortunately, their lack of pace, skill and the awful pitch allowed Warrior to defend their goal without too many worries.

Sert-lert made a regulatory save at his near post before a couple of efforts flew just over the bar without calling the custodian into action. Saran Sridet went on a fine run for the home side, but his forward colleague fluffed his chance of a shot on goal.

Anusorn Promprasit saw a deflected free-kick go just wide for Muangkan before I decided to make my way around to behind the goal, where some punters were peering over the fence for free. It could be argued that they should have demanded compensation.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, the lead was doubled. A neat pass put in Sridet wide on the right. It was an opportunity to run on goal, but his task was made easier by some kamikaze goalkeeping.

The visiting keeper came flying out and past the ball, as Srident rounded him, bore down on goal and slipped the ball into the empty net from the edge of the area. The home fans were euphoric and celebrated in style. The referee blew for full-time shortly after.

I was now tasked with finding a way home, with absolutely no idea of bus times. The man on the counter wrote down 8.15 and told me where to stand. This meant just a twenty-minute wait, which was fine.

A coach pulled in at the appointed time. It had set off from the town of Tak and was complete with welcoming air conditioning and reclining seats. I was ushered on board by an increasingly frustrated man on the desk who wasn’t interested in issuing a ticket.

The journey back to Chiang Mai took less than thirty minutes. Both the driver and the lady assistant smiled and made a signal that no fare was required despite my offering. I certainly didn’t argue and soon jumped into a tuk-tuk to catch up with my pals, for a few beers before bed.

Lamphun Warriors 3 Chiangmai FC 2 (Friday 25th February 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 1,230) 

My timing for a junior day of cricket in Chiang Mai on the following Sunday worked perfectly as it coincided with this local derby as well as a Maejo United home game the following day. After a flight and checking in at my extremely dated guest house, it was time for some refreshments.

My pal George met me by the moat as we visited a couple of bars, the first of which was still trying to hide the fact that they were serving beers mid-afternoon owing to restrictions caused by the pandemic.

I probably had one too many as time soon gathered pace, meaning a swift walk down Loi Kroh Road to where I knew a songthaew departed to Lamphun. I had asked beforehand on Facebook if tickets in advance were necessary, but all was well.

It was getting on for the 6pm kick-off when I bailed out of the small bus and headed round to buy my ticket for the open side. There was just time to grab some snacks and a beer before the arrival of the teams in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

 

The first things I noticed were the upgrade in playing surface and floodlights and plenty of signage to make the stadium look homely. The club had invested heavily on and off the pitch aiming to reach the top level of Thai football.

The previously more illustrious visitors went ahead through an unmarked Veljko Filipovic from a corner on five minutes. The tall defender was given the freedom of the box as he stooped to head home on the half-volley past keeper Adisak Doungsri. 

Anuntachok Yodsangwal levelled things up midway through the first half when his low shot from a narrow-angle via deflection off the open legs of away team goalie Jaturong Samakorn, who should have done better.

Evgeny Kabaev had a shot saved by the legs of Doungsri as Chiangmai responded. Lamphun’s Brazilian forward Thales Lima saw a powerful drive pushed over by Samakorn as the very watchable contest ebbed and flowed. 

Kabaev really should have got his half volley on target after being supplied by Saharat Posri with Arthit Sunthornphit driving narrowly wide for Warriors prior to Samakorn dealing acrobatically at his near post from a free kick from the same player.

Sunthornphit would not be denied, putting Lamphun ahead six minutes after the restart as he volleyed home a pullback from Mg Mg Lwin. It would be the provider from Myanmar who sent the majority of the crowd wild with just over twenty minutes remaining on the clock as he put in Sunthornphit’s cross at the back post to make it 3-1. 

Chiangmai regrouped and got one back through Amornthep Maundee as he completed a fantastic passing move at the far post leaving them eleven minutes plus stoppage time to try and recover a point.

Filipovic moved forward and went on a terrific run. but Tawan Khotrsupho couldn’t get on top of his fierce cross, with the header spiralling over the bar. The defender was involved again in the dying stages when an effort from Maundee fizzed agonisingly wide. 

A fantastic advert for Thai football. I left very chipper and ready to tell my friends back in Chiang Mai all about it, but my evening was only halfway through. I was astonished to be told that the last big bus had left for Chiang Mai at the terminal behind the stadium.

I guess it must have still been a restricted Covid service in operation. The last train had long departed. I searched everywhere hoping to see a songthaew walking the streets of the pretty city for well over an hour.

 

The online taxi services were unavailable. Fortunately, a Plan B was formulated after seeing a sign for a hotel on the road north. I managed to secure a room for about £14, topping up on provisions at a nearby 7/11 before enjoying a relaxing sleep minus late beers.

I returned by songthaew the following morning, exchanging smiles and more conversations with lovely Thai people ready to sort myself out for the afternoon’s entertainment.

Chiangmai FC

 

Chiangmai FC is a professional football club based in the beautiful city in the north of Thailand who were formed in 1999 as Chiangmai United FC. The club played in various regional football as the league structure slowly developed in the country.

Some games were played at The Municipality Stadium with others at the 700th Anniversary Stadium just outside town. 

Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Stadium

In 2009 'The Lanna Tigers' were admitted into the Regional League Northern Division, which is one of four divisions in the third tier of the pyramid in Thailand. In 2010 a new club logo was introduced along with the current club's name. 

Promotion was reached at the end of that season. Unfortunately, their spell in the second tier lasted just one season as they were relegated. Chiangmai had a fine 2012 campaign as they finished top of the table, but they could not continue their form as the play-offs ended in disappointment as they couldn't win promotion. 

However, it was a case of second time lucky in 2013 as once again The Lanna Tigers finished top of the pile, only this time they also topped their playoff group to win promotion to Thai Division One League.

The team continued along in the second tier, with a brush with relegation coming in the 2015 campaign, which was followed by a mid-table finish. The club was purchased by the Boon Rawd Brewery from former president Udonpan Jantaraviroj at the completion of the 2016 season.

The 2017 season was one of disappointment as the team finished in tenth position, with Hristijan Kirovski topping the scoring charts. The new owners were not slow to show their displeasure as three different head coaches were tried throughout the season.

Sugao Kambe had gone by March 2017, to be replaced by Apisit Im-ampai lasted just a month before fellow Thai Choketawee Promrut was appointed. Carlos Eduardo Parreira came in for the 2018 campaign.

Chiangmai finished in third position to win promotion to the top flight of Thai football as Brazilian forward Hiziel Souza Soares was leading scorer. He starred alongside fellow overseas signings Lenny and Cristian.

However, the team lasted only one season at that level with Eliandro top scoring, despite a dramatic final day win against Buriram which denied the Isan powerhouses the title. Surapong Kongthep had replaced Carlos Eduardo Parreira midway through the campaign.

The following season became 2020-21 owing to the Coronavirus pandemic with Tanongsak Prajakkata appointed as the new head coach. The club moved back to the Municipality Stadium while work was undertaken at the 700th Anniversary Stadium. Japanese striker Ryo Matsumura led the goal charts.

Meanwhile, local rivals and new kids on the block Chiangmai United went on to overtake CFC to be promoted to Thai League 1 with United moving into the 700th Anniversary Stadium, while Chiangmai remained in town.

The 2021-22 campaign saw the team slip down the table to finish fourteenth, with Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok in the position of head coach for part of the season. Seiya Sugishita led the goals tally before Jun Fukuda took over team affairs.

The club had been under the control of the BG Sports Company Ltd, the owners of BG Pathum United, for some time, with several loan players being sent north each season. However, in January 2023 BGPU chairman Pavin Bhirombhakdi confirmed that the arrangement would be ending at the end of the 2022-23 season.

To describe the 2023-24 season as a disaster would be kind to Chiangmai FC. Despite reaching the playoffs which ended in a semifinal defeat to Nakhonsi United, the club was in utter turmoil off the pitch, despite BGPU assisting in any non-financial way possible.

 

Yosmaetha Jantaraviroj, the nephew of the former owner, had taken charge of the club and oversaw a catastrophic campaign which led to sponsors being let down, as well as businesses and players being left unpaid.

 

All started well as the team went unbeaten in their first seven games. In October head coach Fukuda was replaced by Albert Garcia Xicota, who in turn lasted until the new year when Nowat Wongaree took over who in turn was soon on his way as Patipat Rorbru became head coach.

The team continued to do its stuff on the pitch, despite players being unpaid. Crowds began to fall through disenchantment of the ownership, while Nattapon Krachangpho was put in charge of the team in March 2024. At the completion of the season, the Thai League acted against the club.

Fans were left in turmoil, and many were left without payment. The club failed to meet licensing regulations and was relegated to Thai League 3 on the proviso that they could meet certain guarantees.

Salvation of sorts came from local club Christ FC who appeared to take over the running of Chiangmai FC, with ownership still unclear, this after ‘Big Sand’ the gent who oversaw the issues while at the helm declared interest from a Brazilian consortium.

The club was given a license to play in T3 with Anan Amornlertsak installed as head coach. To add to their woes Municipality Stadium underwent a refurbishment so home games were switched to Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, some forty minutes out of town which therefore affected the crowd numbers.

Chiangmai FC will be playing in the Thai League 3 North in the 2023-24 season.

My visits

at 700th Anniversary Stadium

Chiangmai FC 2 Uthai Thani Forest 0 (Sunday 1st April 2012) Thai Regional League North Region (att: approx 3,600)

I was in Thailand for a holiday, but most importantly to take part in the 25th Anniversary Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes Tournament with my pals from Yarrambat near Melbourne. It was the seventh consecutive time to Chaing Mai but I'd yet to get to a game. 

The chances looked slim once more, even though the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM FC) had once again moved, this time to use Chiang Mai as their home city and sharing the 700th Anniversary Stadium in the hope of attracting fans of The Lanna Tigers since their relegation to third tier football. 

Remarkably the fixtures had both teams down for away games, apart from the following Saturday, when I really hoped we'd have a more pressing engagement at the cricket's Finals Day.

I used my newly found Twitter account to ask if anybody knew of any midweek games, and then on the Saturday I arrived in the city I got potentially good news. Chiangmai had reversed their match with Uthai Thani as the visitor's stadium was not ready for the following day with a 6pm kick-off. I had to clear it with my captain.

Daniel Shaw was good about it. We had a match that afternoon against the Lord's Taverners at 3pm and I was in the team. I'd have to leave the Gymkhana ground after a couple of post-match tinnies, offer my apologies, and head off for a shower and get to the ground, on the understanding I'd get back for the team dinner in Loi Kroh Road at around 7.30pm. 

It wasn't perfect and I'd have to leave with at least half an hour to go, but I was delighted with any chance at all. I certainly wasn't going to disrespect our team ethos where we all eat together and stick together through thick and thin.

I left the Pornping Tower Hotel and found a tuk-tuk driver. He told me it was a long way to the 700th Anniversary Stadium and the ride would cost me 300 baht (£6). It seemed a lot but I wasn't going to argue. 

Obviously travelling alone made it more expensive. My driver was right. The stadium was a long way. It took at least twenty minutes to get there. I loved passing the motorbikes carrying fans of all ages with big smiles on their faces, especially when they saw a westerner going to the match.

My driver dropped me by the car and motorcycle park, which seemed to be very busy. I arranged for him to pick me up again at 7.10pm. I went off to have a look outside at the many food stalls outside what looked like a very impressive stadium, which was host to the 1998 Asian Games. 

There were lots of vendors all looking for trade. I got a large cup of coke for 20 baht (40p) and bumped into some other English lads who I later found out ran a Twitter account and lived in the city.

I bought a home shirt which worked out to be excellent value at just £10. The size was perfect, which was rare in my previous experiences of buying replica shirts in Thailand. I paid 80 baht (£1.60) to the young lady at the ticket office window and had my wrist stamped in case I wanted to come back out for refreshments. My ticket allowed me to sit in any public seat in the large main stand.

The 700th Anniversary Stadium had a large stand which followed the curves of the running track and other facilities. The rest of the stadium was a continuous open bowl with higher parts as it joined with the Main Stand. There was an electric scoreboard at one end and a display board at the other. 

Fans were spread out around the arena. The main group of ultras were opposite me, including one man flying a huge flag. Another pocket of vocal fans was located on the upper open terracing to my left. The stadium was worthy of more than Regional League football, which I suppose was why TTM was trying to tap into the city's support.

The teams came out and lined up as is the norm in modern football, with flag bearers at the front. There was an announcement which led to everyone standing up facing the Thai flag at the City End while the national anthem played as was usual everywhere in Thailand at 6pm. Then everyone turned the other way to the scoreboard where a message was displayed. 

I think it must have been in honour of the deceased Princess whose three days of mourning were to start the following Sunday. I was praying it wasn't for any disaster I was unaware of. Everyone I had spoken to fears the ageing revered King Bhumibol passing away while in the country, as it was feared it could provoke civil war and a complete meltdown.

The game itself was very disappointing. The periods of reflection meant my spectating was already being cut. Not to help matters there were several delays which hardly helped, including players milking every foul challenge. 

The stretcher bearers were very busy men. Forest had a couple of extremely animated African imports, especially the one who played up front. I would have sent him off within half an hour for his over-the-top histrionics. Sadly the referee was being hoodwinked by players of both sides.

Chiangmai went one up much to my surprise. I didn't think either side would score. They doubled their lead following some handbags over very little from the penalty spot. The visiting players were doing their utmost to make me dislike them with their antics.

As was usual from previous experiences the crowd had lots of men and women in the crowd. Most were under thirty-five. It was nice to see the players of the clubs' junior sides at the match in full kit. Everyone seemed to have a smile on their faces, which immediately put me in a happy mood.

At half-time, I had another look at the souvenir stand and bought another cold drink before walking around the outside of the stadium. I wasn't going to get the chance to see any more of the match because of the various delays so I thought it worthwhile filling in my time by taking a view from the other side of the stadium while among the Ultras. 

Again, everyone seemed in a good mood. I reckoned that if I went again, I thought I would maybe go down that side. The cost was only 50 baht (£1) but the atmosphere was so much more lively and more conducive to making friends.

I walked round to my pickup point. My diligent driver spotted me. He'd been looking near the Main Stand for me. I must have been easy to pick out in the crowd, especially in my red Scarborough Athletic shirt. I gave him instructions to drop me by McDonalds at the night bazaar. My ride back gave me a proper impression of a city, that I'd only ever scratched the surface of. 

Thai bars were vibrant, and people sat out enjoying their traditional Thai mookata barbeque. Scooters and bikes laden with happy locals rode alongside all with happy faces. It's amazing what happens if you make the effort to smile first. It's something I vowed to remember in England. I even smiled when we went through an extended more local night market.

I was dropped off exactly where I asked. I'd telephoned forward to let the team know I was on my way. I walked around the corner to the Hofbrauhaus, our traditional Sunday evening destination for a good meal and frivolity.

Chiang Mai is a great city. I really enjoyed my matchday experience there. I hoped to go again in the future to see a Chiangmai team in the TPL and not their impostor tenants. I didn't even miss a goal by leaving early!

To see a brief video I took at the game, click here.

Chiangmai FC 0 Army United 2 (Sunday 2nd April 2007) Thai League 2 (att: 3,543)

The opening day of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes had gone really well and I was now ready for some relaxation and a game of football. I'd been to the Red Lion to see landlord Kevin Hunt the day before to arrange some transport. All was good.

Plenty gave positive noises about wanting to go to the match, but when push came to shove only Paul 'Hagar' Jones and Terry Kersey turned up at the pub. I apologised to Kevin, who was great. He would drive us in his large car instead.

We were joined by a Swedish expat who also followed the team. Kevin really was a good supporter, telling us of his travels around Thailand with his wife to support the team. Some of the trips and locations sounded fantastic.

He found us a good spot to park up just across from the gates and ticket office. There was time to grab a beer and head inside after purchasing a ticket for 120 Baht; which was around £2.80 at the time.

We chose a decent seat not too far up, but with decent elevation. The centre section was empty. Kevin said there was some consternation among season ticket holders who naturally would have preferred to be in there.

The atmosphere was good all the way through. It was probably a bit too good for the home side, who were to put in an awful performance lacking in virtually every attribute, despite the club spending plenty of money on the squad to chase promotion.

It wasn't too much of a shock when the visitors went ahead on the half-hour mark through Attapong Nooprom, to the joy of the hundred or so Army supporters just along from us. Chiangmai huffed and puffed without looking remotely like scoring.

My friends were having a decent time, even if the match wasn't the best. We had a stretch at the break and went outside to visit the vendors. United boss Thanis Areesngarkul had obviously briefed his team to kill the game. Some of their acting and time-wasting was shocking.

It certainly frustrated the home support and players, who got sucked in to concede a second, when Brazilian forward, Marcos Vinícius made it 2-0. Aphisorn Poomchart had a decent game in midfield for the hosts, but it wasn't to be for him or his side.

At full time Kevin lamented on the performance as he took us back to the Red Lion where we stayed for a couple more beers and a bite to eat before heading off.

at Municipality Stadium

Chiangmai 2 Chainat Hornbill 1 (Saturday 26th November 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 836)

Finally, I got the opportunity to see a game at the Municipality Stadium, years after calling by to take photos there. I had read decent reports and my German friends Thorsten and Maren said that the atmosphere was excellent on their visit a few weeks previously.

I was in town for more cricket, and I was pushing it a bit sleep-wise as I had gone to bed early the previous evening and then got up to watch England v USA in the World Cup at 2am before resuming my slumber.

Fortunately, the evening function at the Gymkhana Club finished early enough for me to imbibe and then order a Bolt cab across town. I was shocked that there was no beer available at the stalls by the stadium, but a quick visit to 7/11 soon sorted me out.

I’d decided to buy a ticket opposite the covered stand, to be nearer the more raucous support. I had also read about the absurdity of the away section right at the back of the curve behind one of the goals, and it really was something to behold. 

Quite rightly, the gaggle of visiting Chainat fans had decided to go into the main stand instead. The view was good in the raised stand I was in, and the whole place felt more homely with plenty of signage leaving nobody in any doubt as to who played there rather than the impressive big but soulless stadium in the outskirts.

As luck would have it, I got a decent game too in return for my 70 Baht ticket. Hornbill’s Thanayut Jittabud shot was well collected by the home stopper, Fahas Bilanglod, who like several of his teammates was on loan from parent club BG Pathum United.

 

It would be the visitors who took the lead four minutes before the break when defender Sarawut Koedsri couldn’t quite intercept a through ball from Chatuphum Kaewklang. Poomipat Kanthanet latched onto it and slotted home to the delight of coach Pannarai Pansiri and his bench.

At the interval, I went for a walk around the perimeter and managed to convince the stewards to allow me up the steps of the main stand to take photos of where I had been watching from. They were initially reluctant until a club ticket seller intervened. 

When the game recommenced a long pass down the left wing released Thammayut Tonkham who then fired in an excellent low cross, which just evaded the efforts of substitute Tawan Khotrsupho who went sliding in.

A lofted ball from the home side found defender Kiratikor Ninlamat out of position with just over an hour on the clock. He hauled down the Korean striker Kim Bo-yong inside the box. Referee Vitsawa Nanchana had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing the offender the red card. 

Bo-yong picked himself up and slotted past keeper Chaiyapat Honbanleng to level up the scores. By now the home fans increased the noise levels and really got behind their team, even more so eight minutes later.

A lovely ball by Ronnayod Mingmitwan put in Ryhan Stewart on the right, whose excellent low first-time cross was converted at the back post by Suchanon Malison. Shortly after Stewart cut inside and flashed a left-footed effort just over the bar.

By this point, the Chainat players were beginning to get on the wick of the home crowd with some of their fouls. The worst of which was a horrendous lunging challenge from skipper Apichok Srirawong on Tawan Khotrsupho in stoppage time.

He received a second yellow card and his marching orders, which it looked for all money that a straight red should have been the decision. It mattered not, as a few seconds later the refs whistle for full-time heralded three points for the hosts.

I’d enjoyed myself and decided to walk to find a tuk-tuk, getting slightly lost before finding my bearings by the moat road, where a driver thinking I was an unsuspecting tourist tried to charge me over the odds to the night bazaar, where I was soon back in the bars with my friends.