Thammasat Stadium (Bangkok)

 

Thammasat Stadium is a multi-purpose arena opened in 1998 on the Rangsit campus of Thammasat University, north of Bangkok. The venue was originally built for the 1998 Asean Games but is now predominantly used for football.

The design of the stadium is a smaller version of Rajamangala National Stadium, albeit with cover on both sides. It was striking corner floodlights and a mini stadium behind the north end with a warm-up track for athletes.

 

PEA FC, Provincial Electric Authority, used the stadium as their home ground in the 2001-02 season for Asian Champions League games, before Police United arrived full-time from 2011 until 2014.

They moved south near to headquarters at Boonyachinda Stadium prior to Dome FC moving in from 2015 and then Bangkok United in 2016. The stadium is often used by the Thai FA for the semi-finals and finals of their cup competitions.

The stadium also staged matches in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, including the semi-final which saw South Korea defeat Saudi Arabia.

My visits

Insee Police United 0 Suphanburi 2 (Wednesday 27th March 2013) Thai Premier League

Click here to read about my first call to the stadium.

Dome FC 1 BCG 3 (Monday June 18th 2018) Thai League 4 Bangkok Region (att: 109)

An unplanned second visit is detailed here.

PT Prachuap 1 Chonburi 0 (Wednesday 25^th May 2022) Thai League Cup semi-final (att: 1,877) 

The Thai FA seemed keen to use Thammasat Stadium as a neutral venue once again after it had staged the FA Cup final the previous Sunday. As well as this League Cup last-four encounter it would also stage the final just four days later.

I’d baulked at the chance to visit earlier in the season when Bangkok United were in situ. There were far easier journeys to other matches. It really was a trek from Minburi, but my vanity sealed the deal on this occasion.

I’d met up with my Chonburi supporting pal Dale Farrington a couple of weeks earlier when his team played away to Ratchaburi. I’d enjoyed their attacking style, so when he asked me to compile the match report I’ve repeated below for his website, it was a no-brainer.

Wary of the distance I set off around 2.30pm, getting onboard a minivan at the terminus in Minburi. It was nearly 3pm before we set off on what was to be a laborious journey. Yes, we beat the school traffic to begin with but got horribly snarled up as we crawled down Ram Inthra Road. 

It was painful stuff up Pahon Yothin Road, with all its turn-offs and side sois as the rush hour really kicked in with people leaving work. We really were getting back to normal post-Covid. I hopefully asked the driver if he went all the way to the University, but he ended up at Future Park Rangsit.

As in my trips to BG Pathum United, I alighted at Big C, opposite Zeer Rangsit and awaited the 510m bus for the remainder of the trip. Again, we got caught up in traffic. I jumped out at the Thailand Science Park inside the campus, only to see the bus continue towards the stadium.

Getting slightly lost near the mini stadium, which staged games in the Thailand Amateur League and then the site's tennis courts, I eventually headed around to the West Stand, which was divided in two between the two sides.

I had a pick of seats and height. The only area with any real population was down towards the front where the the ultras with megaphones and drums assembled. I have to say the stadium offers fantastic views.

Anyway. Onto my match report....

Prachuap advanced to face Buriram in the final of the League Cup with a goal after sixty-four minutes from Brazilian striker Willen Mota in a game of few chances before withstanding prolonged Chonburi pressure to see out the game.

The Killer Wasp’ had the brighter of the early exchanges with a low cross skimming along the six-yard line begging for a final touch before both teams began feeling each other out while looking for an opening in a relatively dull first half. 

A Prachuap quick counter following a Sharks corner saw Soony Saad fire wide. A lapse from Chonburi’s Songchai Thongcham in his own box was cleaned up by a couple of defensive blocks prior to a low bending free kick at the other end from Gidi Kanyuk being well saved by keeper Jirunpong Thammasiha.

Both sides showed more attacking intent straight from the sound of the whistle at the start of the second half. A Sharks move down the left saw a low cross arrive just behind Yoo Byung-soo whose resultant volley was weak and wide.

Saad’s header was easily gathered by keeper Chanin Sae-ear as play went from end to end. The Sharks Dennis Murillo was doing a decent job leading the line, heading just over from a cross. His teammate Kritsada Kaman backed this up with a shot over the bar.

Prachuap should really have taken the lead just gone the hour mark when a superb cross from Saharat Pongsuwan picked out the free Apichart Denman on the back post, but his header missed the target.

Despite the small crowd rattling around Thammasat both sets of fans created a cacophony of noise with drums and chants underneath the large curving roof of the East Stand. It would be those clad in orange who would have cause to cheer when a simple through ball from Prasit Jantum found Mota who brushed aside the weak efforts of Prasit Jantum to finish calmly.

Prachuap’s players suddenly became more prone to requiring treatment from the physio. I can only assume referee Mongkolchai Pechsri put his foot down with a few words as it stopped after a couple of times in quick succession as the Sharks fans and players sounded their disapproval. 

Kaman was doing his best to fire up his Chonburi troops and came close to capitalising on dithering defenders but could not get enough power behind his half-volley to really trouble custodian Thammasiha.

Sharks pressure mounted but in truth their crossing was woeful. The introduction of diminutive wideman Phitak Pimpae created a few problems, but the Killer Wasp backline was having a good night. A scuffed volley from Kaman summed up Chonburi’s frustrations.

Their best chance of levelling came when a superb cross-field diagonal pass from Noppanon Kachaplayuk was chested down by Murillo, but the big Brazilian sliced his left-footed effort badly wide. Despite a string of corners, the Prachuap defence held firm to set off wild scenes among their travelling support.

Now for a few personal thoughts to go with my report. I’m not sure either side deserved to win in 90 minutes. It was a tight affair lacking in quality. I was surprised when the goal went in. I thought we were certain of extra time and possibly penalties from an early stage. 

Onto the venue. Now there’s no doubt that Thammasat is a superb stadium, despite its running track not being ideal for football fans. The stands are steep, and the views are good, but surely there had to have been a more suitable venue in Bangkok for both sets of fans and neutrals to reach. Especially for a 6pm kick-off.

Despite setting off at 3pm I got into the ground seven minutes before kick-off. The roads were gridlocked in places as returning schools from the previous Monday added to the mounting rush hour traffic. Not great panning from the FA. 

The catering was fine outside the East Stand, aside from only one stall selling soft drinks. My chicken nuggets and fries were excellent. I didn’t see any alcohol available. The ticket prices were good, so fair play to the Thai FA on that.

My own fault but I decided to seek out the 510 bus after the game back to Rangsit and take a similar journey without the congestion. A huge electrical storm deluged the area, and no taxis were available. Fortunately, I had my poncho with me but still got a proper soaking before eventually flagging down a cab. 

I eventually got home around 11.30pm after taking a bus from outside Major Cineplex Rangsit close to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, from where I crossed the road for the 26 service back home. The air con didn’t do me many favours after being out in the rain!

It is not difficult to see why Bangkok United, good attractive tenants at Thammasat struggle so hard to attract crowds. Every match is an away fixture unless you live in Rangsit. But for all that, I’d certainly give it another go and try to suss out the return bus stops!

Bangkok United 2 Lamphun Warriors 0 (Sunday 6^th November 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 1,307)

Read all about a home game for the resident club of the day.

Thailand 4 Philippines 0 (Monday 26^th December 2022) AFF Championships Group A (att; 6,567) 

Unlike the previous year, I was unable to find Christmas Day football in my new home, but I got second best. After contacting fellow Port expat Marco, I set about buying online tickets in advance for 250 Baht on the South Curve.

With plenty of time in hand, I set off at 3pm for the 7.30pm kick-off as the plan was to meet in a bar near the stadium that I had checked out on Google Maps. Well aware that it could be a troublesome journey, I wanted to give myself lots of time.

But there was to be no need for concern. The bus and Skytrain deposited me at Yaek Kor Por Aor BTS station. From there I anticipated another two buses, one to Zeer Rangsit before meeting up with the 510 into the university campus.

However, a 39 arrived displaying Thammasat on the front. The lovely air con modern vehicle made up great time, dropping me at Executive Dome. Last time I walked from there, but with time on my hands I waited a couple of minutes and hopped aboard the free Yellow Line service going around the grounds.

The stop by the Faculty of Engineering was a mere five minutes to the bar, translated as “Talk” on my app, across the busy Khlong Luang Road by a footbridge. It turned out to be an excellent find.

Unfortunately, the draught beer from Stone Brewing was not on, so it was large bottles of local stuff instead along with pad krapow. Marco joined me for an hour before we walked the ten minutes or so to our turnstiles. 

There was an interesting moment when a steward tried to send me to leave my camera at a point outside before a more senior sensible colleague intervened. Pyros were being let off by the Ultras across the way as we went inside.

The beauty of our tickets was that we could sit where we wanted, so we headed high into the corner to grab an excellent view. The attendance was slightly disappointing but not surprising. Oh, for Rajamangala to have staged the match.

 

The hosts came out of the blocks quickly and went ahead in the third minute when a free kick from Theerathon Bunmathan was headed home majestically by man of the match Teerasil Dangda, who was outstanding all evening.

The game quickly turned into a procession of attack against defence as the Philippine goal led a charmed life through a mixture of luck, brave defending, desperate goalkeeping and bad finishing with Bordin Phala causing endless problems out wide.

 

Adisak Praikorn alongside Dangda was also in excellent form, as chances went begging. Kritsada Kaman had a goal chalked off for offside before Phala cut inside and smashed a shot against the bar with keeper Julian Schwarzer left grasping thin air.

Suphanan Bureerat couldn’t believe his luck as his volley from Dangda’s head down was pushed away by the custodian. Ekanit Panya somehow headed wide when free at the back post from close range as Thailand were rampant.

Praikorn was denied by the legs of Schwarzer before Panya was clumsily brought down in the area four minutes before the interval. Dangda smashed home the spot kick, prior to us having a wander and chat with a couple of Muang Thong Ultras at the break.

The away team stopper somehow scrambled a long shot round the post before a wonderful cross-field pass picked out Dangda whose first touch was exemplary as he then laid the ball square for Praikorn to slot home. It was a wonderful goal.

The pressure continued unabated as shots reigned in on goal. Phala ran through but was stopped as he was about to shoot, the loose ball falling to Bureerat who scored with ease. Head coach Mano Pölking had seen enough and decided to save the legs of the magnificent front three as he substituted them.

The game became a bit more like a contest afterwards, with a header from Oliver Bias of the Philippines forcing Kittipong Phoothawchuek to pull off a decent save. A header from sub, Channarong Promsrikaew forced Schwarzer into another decent save at the other end.

Another replacement, Poramet Arjvirai, intercepted a loose back pass and set up Sarach Yooyen who somehow contrived to blast over. Either side had a couple of efforts as the game petered out and away skipper Stephan Schröck continued whining at excellent Japanese referee Yudai Yamamoto.

We departed as stoppage time commenced by having the issue of how to find the bus back home. Two proved better than one, as we sussed out the stop for the 510 which took us to Zeer Rangsit, from where a couple more rides got me back to Minburi at just after 11pm. 

An excellent home performance, against albeit wanting opposition, excellent company and a top few hours out. With a bonus of seamless travel, which is a rarity when commenting on Thammasat University.

Bangkok United 2 Port FC 2 (Sunday 7th April 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 3,876)

Another league game, which turned out to be an excellent encounter, which can be read about here.

Sisaket United post August 2024

 

Please click on this link to read all about the history of the club and my previous visits to home games prior to August 2024.

Sisaket United 1 Pattaya United 1 (Saturday 10^th August 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,512)

Plenty of anticipation awaited as Sisaket embarked on their maiden second tier campaign in Thai football. What we received was a game that offered plenty of everything and more than enough to keep the spectators entertained before the match and then when it started it 6.30pm.

New Brazilian signing Abner was fed by compatriot Danilo after just seven minutes to finish in style past keeper Phiyawat Intrapim. All looked good for the hosts in a fast-paced encounter in which visiting forward, another Brazilian, Patrick Cruz looked a class above all others on show with his neat footwork.

This was aided by the Sisaket coach, predictably going into defence mode and leaving the three imports up front with the space between them and the rest of the team being large enough to host the Surin elephant Festival. Remarkably enough, pressure was gradually built before Pattaya equalised after half an hour when a cross saw Pakornkiat Kaena put through his own goal. 

At which point, the visiting Dolphins for some reason decided that they would become more defensive minded and rely on breaks than grab a game by the scruff of the neck that was waiting to be won. The third Sisaket Brazilian, Caique, had been played on the left wing, despite him being a creative forward pressing midfielder. 

The one-dimensional tactics had done for him as he was withdrawn just after the hour mark as I offered the coach feedback. The game became niggly, passionate, and naughty at times. I compared it to watching England play against themselves at the recently finished Euros. 

The home team coach failed to use most of the talent at his disposal because I’m not sure he knows how to. The away side settled for a draw when a win was on the cards. Meanwhile, the Pattaya players fell over with alarming regularity having quickly realised that referee Nasri Tamat was as weak, taking advantage of his general cluelessness. 

Dolphins coach Theerawekin Seehawong went on the pitch three times to remonstrate, before he was eventually shown to the stands. The stretcher bearers were overworked before players suddenly and miraculously jumped to their feet. 

Patrick Cruz and his teammate Waleed Adel decided to exchange punches with each other, before a combination of Abner and Danilo missed a glorious chance during the additional seven minutes of stoppage time at the back post from a well delivered free kick.

All in all, a feisty affair, but as ever it was only part of a good day out. The later kick-off than in previous seasons allowed for a proper drink pre match, both in Leo’s and Hong Kong Garden after getting a van from Kanthararom. In the first place Caique was in with a friend having a water. I did warm him about the coach then and I got the impression that he sort of knew already. 

My pal John was waiting for a late lunch before we headed to the stadium earlier than usual and via an off license. Sisaket going up would undoubtedly improve the standard of the matches, but there were most certainly things that didn’t appeal to me, not least only Chang being the only beer available rather than Leo.

That was resolved by me taking my own and putting them in a plastic cup to take in acquired from one of the vendors. In fairness to the club, they made some kind of effort, with tables and chairs on the main road behind the stand to create some kind of fan zone. Designated seats were required while the price had nearly doubled to 100 THB, which was around £2.25 in the best position. 

Caique’s friend turned out to be another Brazilian who had signed for Rasisalai United in T3. He and his girlfriend sat just behind us and were good company. I would look forward to seeing him perform a month or so later, especially if he scores as many goals as he told me he would.

Full time my driver somehow managed to get through the cordon to park near the exit before I had one last beer with my wife who had better observational ability than the ref by identifying that I had already sampled several beers.

Sisaket United 1 Chiangmai United 1 (Sunday 15^th September 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,399) 

An entertaining game as Sisaket equalised late on. Plenty of endeavour, skill, and dross with controversy of a goal each being chalked off, so standard Thai fare really.

The hosts came into the encounter in the playoff places, the visitors from the north third from bottom, not that anyone would know on this showing. Perhaps both sides were in false positions with Sisaket punching above their weight following promotion. 

The game was played at a frantic pace throughout with midfielders having a quiet time as the ball fizzed from end to end. I rated the away sides front foreigners, Carlos Neto and Arnold Suew above the home pairing of Danilo and Caique Ribero. This was especially true in the opening exchanges, with the footwork of Carlos Neto outstanding.

His side went ahead through a long-range swerving free kick from Suew after half an hour of proceedings. I’m not entirely sure keeper Adisak would have been too pleased with his effort in trying to stop it. The visitors wearing light grey shirts with white numbering coming close in the very poor effort stakes. 

Danilo missed an absolute sitter on the stroke of halftime heading wide from five yards as his side got back into things with both sides playing some good stuff at high intensity. This continued after the break on what was a slick surface with the region receiving many heavy downfalls in the days leading up to the match.

Indeed, the groundstaff deserved much credit for their endeavours, with it looking in excellent condition and maybe helping to level it out. Just one patch, like a single blokes’ bedsheets detracting from its appearance. It certainly encouraged plenty of challenges to go flying in. 

Referee Krisda Luangyos certainly had his hands full, dishing out seven yellow cards, as the hosts were being less than hospitable at times. The officials would then be involved heavily in two big moments. Chiangmai had a goal ruled out for offside. I was right in line with it and called it straight away.

The visiting coach was apoplectic racing down the touchline to offer feedback to the assistant with the flag. A few minutes later the hosts were denied, with that decision being clearly wrong when photographic evidence from the live feed was produced. No VAR in T2, at least until the midseason break so on we went. 

The Lamduan eventually drew level, and deservedly so on the balance of play, when exchanges of passes which I’m not entirely sure were intentional eventually found Danilo a yard or so out to score with fourteen minutes remaining. After that the away side blew a great chance to take all three points.

A strange day out. News that the dreaded words of the car needed attention was thankfully a cheap part, while a trip to the stadium to buy my ticket in advance to be sure I was under cover in case of rain proved fruitless as the office was closed despite the club advertising it would be open. 

Nice food and company in Hong Kong Garden my usual pre match haunt with a couple of beers to wash it down. My pal John unavailable and news that the place might shut too in the not too distant future sort of put a dampener of things, along with hearing a friend back home was unwell.

Again, I took my own supply of beer to the stadium to avoid the ghastly Chang, as I people watched and made conversation with the locals. 

Sisaket United 1 Kanchanaburi Power 1 (Saturday 28^th September 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,424)

Fair play to both sides. A decent enough game to watch. Both teams hit the woodwork and had half chances to win it. Kanch, with some powerful exports to match their title went ahead on the hour, through a header from the big Brazilian defender Jeferson Sousa that went in off the underside of the bar.

Sisaket drew level 10 minutes from time. Abner came off the bench after being missing through injury and made an impact in general, with his low shot from the left hand side of the box having too much strength for keeper Chinnapong Raksri. Adisak, the goalie at the other end was erratic with his distribution and on crosses.

There was plenty of feistiness, especially in the closing stages and as good an atmosphere I’ve been in the stadium. The locals genuinely care. I also had a walk round the perimeter at the interval. The far side had an abundance of beer and food stalls. I managed to find a vendor selling alternatives to Chang behind the main stand. 

I’m glad the game was enjoyable as I had such a nice time having food, drink, and watching rugby league on TV from Australia in Hong Kong Garden in good company before the game that it was a wrench to leave. Back home with my reliable driver in time for the second half of an excellent Arsenal v Leicester City encounter.

Sisaket United 2 Bangkok FC 3 (Sunday 20th October 2024) Thai League 2 (2,258)

An excellent game of football and a very good few hours of fun as Taew and her great-nephew Boet joined me. We headed to Leo’s before the game, for food which both thoroughly enjoyed before being met by Clinton, an online Aussie friend who was on a football and cultural tour of the region.

Danilo latched onto a defensive error after fourteen minutes as Sisaket started like a house on fire. Bangkok were the best side that played at Lamduan Stadium the season before and gradually got into this encounter before Wichaya Pornprasart unleashed a thunderbolt from range leaving keeper Siwat Rawnpa grasping thin air.

A fine move twelve minutes after the restart saw sub, Padungsak Phothinak put the visitors ahead with a header. After that the hosts piled forward, while Bangkok looked likely to score on the break, fluffing several chances. The outstanding Dudu Lima made it 3-1 with thirteen minutes remaining. 

Danilo grabbed one back in additional time, but it proved to be a consolation, in a game where Seiya Kojima, Simon Dia, and Charyl Chappuis stood out for the away team. We returned to Leo’s and dropped our friend off, before Clinton visited us in the country and went for food the following day.

Sisaket United 1 Chonburi 1 (Saturday 26th October 2024) Thail League 2 (att: 2,923)

A game I was really looking forward to, and I wasn’t disappointed. Usual trip through and lunch at Hong Kong Garden. I decided to watch the first half on the open side and the second with the Displaced Supporters behind the goal after the break. Chonburi brought a good support, but their promotion favourites were made to wait until the final minute to draw level.

Substitute, Theerapat Kaewphung fired home an equaliser. The clash between Danilo and visiting centre-back Charlie Clough failed to ignite, with the Brazilian latching on to a ball on the edge of the box and advancing to slot past goalie Noppakun Kadtoon after twelve minutes.

The atmosphere was superb throughout and matched the occasion. Sisaket did their utmost to hang on, but they were eventually found out. I was forming the opinion that it might yet turn into a relegation battle, especially if they continued to invite pressure through their tactics when ahead. The defence was not good enough to keep clean sheets.

Sisaket United 1 Chiangrai United 3 (Wednesday 30th October 2024) Thai League Cup Round of 32

I was hoping for a cup upset with Chiangrai struggling in T1 and fielding a side with many changes from their league lineup. However, coach Narongthanaphorn decided to follow suit. It felt like a very low-key occasion in which Chitchanok Xaysensourinthone put the Beetles ahead after thirteen minutes. 

Sisaket drew level within four minutes through Thaweekun Thong-On, but Chiangrai regained the lead just past the midway mark of the first half with a goal from defender Banphakit Phormmanee, as his side looked a constant danger from set pieces.

Chinese forward Guo Tianyu took plenty of lots of stick from the home fans and reacted to both sides of the ground when he was substituted. I offered him feedback in Thai which on reflection might have had more chance of being understood if I’d shouted at him in English.

His side extended their lead through Carlos Iury, who had come off the bench, with nine minutes left on the clock to progress to the next round.

Siskaet United 1 Trat 0 (Friday 8^th November 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 1,301)

A hard fought and important win for the Lamduan in a scrappy game extremely low in quality at times. The number of passes going astray was remarkable at times in near perfect conditions. The one player to cover himself in glory was Danilo.

It was he who scored escaping his marker to head home a free kick from a well flighted free kick two minutes before the interval. In the second half, the lack of game management from his teammates had the big Brazilian going spare. Sisaket would be in a sorry state without him.

Trat looked a ragbag bunch in physique with their away kit looking like a Sunday League offering. They offered very little, yet the home side only just got over the line against them. At least the home support, while lacking in numbers for some reason, did their bit and created a decent atmosphere.

A good few hours out as ever being fed and watered at Hong Kong Garden where Peter’s choice of tunes akin to Brain Matthew Sound of the Sixties on Radio 2 when I used to visit my dad, so that put a smile on my face. Something we all needed after the world events of the week.

Sisaket United 2 Chanthaburi 1 (Sunday 8th December 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 1,311)

A fitting climax to the end of several weeks of festivities as my wife and I caught up with friends and visited places around the country. A decent game of football as part of a wonderful day out inspired me to pen an article with a tribute to an old friend.

Sisaket United 0 Mahasarakham SBT 0 (Wednesday 12th February 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,733)

Since my previous home match, I had been travelling extensively around Thailand. Returning back I was glad to head back into town and visit Peter at Hong Kong Garden before the game. Changes had seen Phipob On-Mo come in as coach and Charlie Clough arriving on loan.

It had been my pleasure to assist him, giving him tips on where to eat and drink. We had met at Leo's a week earlier to say hello and have an enlightening chat. We were to meet after the game back at HKG, and I decided that this was an ideal game to make a video for my YouTube channel focussing on his career and the matchday experience at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium.

The video for my Youtube channel made at the game

The game ended in stalemate, but not without incident. It was also the first time I'd seen the wholly inadequate VAR system in operation in a Thai League 2 game. The scoreboard wasn't equipped to tell fans what was going on, and judging by the handball that they didn't spot in the Mahasarakham box in stoppage time, they quite frankly didn't know what they were doing.

Sisaket United 2 Chainat Hornbill 1 (Saturday 1st March 2015) Thai League 2 (att: 1,626)

A game with plenty to keep the passionate Saturday night crowd entertained. Sisaket deservedly went in 1-0 ahead at the break, through Abner, and played excellent football. A good stop from Phanumek Palawec in the Hornbill net denied English defender Charlie Clough. 

Chainat had piled on the pressure before that desperate to salvage something from the game as they went into it third from bottom, with Sisaket four points off a playoff position. The leveller came with seven minutes to go after Adisak decided to have his usual brainless ten minutes which caused jitters as Selwan Al Jaberi came off the bench to head home.

From that point, including the eight minutes added on, the game descended into something more akin to basketball as both sides realising that a point was worthless went for it, hell for leather. Danilo was denied before Clough who had converted to the main striker nearly set up the winner. 

The goal came in the ninety-eighth minute when Wongsakorn put away a low cross at the back post as bedlam ensued in the home sections. A brilliant way to end an entertaining match.

My mate John was back from a sabbatical making it even more enjoyable, with a very boozy few hours being added to at Leo’s where the two-hour beer promotion buffet was attacked with gusto and explains my condition today. We were even joined by Charlie Clough, which added to the evening.