Udon Thani

Udon Thani FC was a professional football club that was formed in 1999 by the inaugural Chairman, Mr.Sathaporn Kotabut, in the northeastern Thailand city of the same name. The club was dissolved at the end of the 2022-23 owing to financial issues.

The club entered into the Thailand Provincial League; which was the third tier of Thai football at the time, for the 1999-00 season finishing in fourth place. The club continued competing in the same competition for a further three campaigns.

The best finish came in 2001 as ‘The Orange Giants’ finished fourth once again. Udon Thani withdrew from competitive football between 2005 and 2008 before re-emerging as a club playing in Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

Home matches were played at the Institute of Physical Education Udon Thani Stadium, as the team weighed in with a third-place finish in 2009 with coach Phithaya Santawong at the helm. Two mid-table finishes followed as several coaches had spells in charge of the team.

Another third spot arrived in 2012 with Ousmanou Mohamadou leading the scoring under the stewardship of the Korean Park No Bong before the returning Santawong took control once again to take control for the 2013 campaign.

Two consecutive runners-up berths followed in 2013 and 2014 as Oyewole Yemi Joseph and then Tomiwa Bolarinwa banged in the goals under coaches Santawong, Voottivat Daengsamerkiat and  Somkait Fongpach.

Promphong Kransumrong scored on an incredible 32 occasions in 2015 as Udon Thani finished in third place as Worradet Phuprapri, Hannarong Chunhakunakorn and Somkait Fongpach were employed throughout the season by a frustrated owner.

The club moved to the Udon Thani Rajabhat University Stadium for the 2016 campaign, and the change worked, as Udon Thani romped to the league title as striker Natthaphat Somsri led the way under the tutelage of coach Choketawee Promrut.

This led to the team qualifying for the knockout Champions League playoffs to strive for promotion. Nara United were defeated before Udon Thani went out to local rivals Nongbua Pitchaya on away goals.

The 2017 season saw the league system re-organised in Thailand, with Udon Thani being placed in Thai League 3 Upper Region. A runners-up place under Paniphon Kerdyam, and fired by the goals of Valci Júnior led to a place in the playoffs.

Trang were defeated on away goals to send the club up to the second tier Thai League 2. The club returned to the Institute of Physical Education Udon Thani Stadium under the team management of Uthai Boonmoh.

The Thai coach was replaced by Darren Read in April 2018 who lasted just a couple of months before Watcharapong Klahan took over. The team ended in a disappointing seventh place as Paniphon Kerdyam was appointed head coach ahead of the 2019 season.

The club moved into the newly built SAT Stadium, a few miles northwest of the city in Sam Phrao for the new campaign. Bruno Correa led the scoring for the Orange Giants as they ended in seventh place before the Thai League reverted to the European calendar for the 2020-21 season.

Jakarat Tonhongsa had been put in charge of the team during the long break but departed to Muangthong United and was replaced by Jetsada Jitsawad as the season got underway. In a season of struggle, João Paulo Sales top scored.

Another Brazilian, Thales Lima starred in 2021-22 as the side improved their league standing. The club went through an alarming number of coaches, as Sirisak Yodyardthai, Fernando Sales, Daniel Blanco, Jörg Steinebrunner and Reuther Moreira all had spells in charge of the team before the appointment of Chalermwoot Sa-ngapol.

New ownership caused much upheaval, especially when it was revealed that the money that was claimed to be in place wasn’t there. The club moved back to their previous home in the city for the 2022-23 season. Paniphon Kerdyam, Mavi Lopes, and Akbar Nawas in a couple of spells, led the team that finished bottom of Thai League 2 despite the goals of Greg Houla.

Udon Thai FC was dissolved after the end of the season and didn’t take its place in Thai League 3.

My visits

Udon Thani 1 Army United 1 (Sunday 8^th April 2018) Thai League 2 (att: 4,534)

There is nothing I enjoy more in life than visiting new places. The amazing Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes had drawn to an end the previous evening and I was ready to relax and enjoy myself without any alarm calls for the final few days of my trip.

My good pal Steve Walker was to join me on another adventure and I’d done all the bookings in eager anticipation a few weeks previously. Just taking the journey down to Udon Thani proved to be an interesting experience.

My mate turned up at my hotel the worse for wear, after enjoying a few too many bars in great company. We boarded the small plane with just two seats on each side of the aisle for the flight southeast. He was still merry and wouldn’t shut up for an hour's flight. We were about the only westerners onboard.

We quickly got a cab into town where we found our excellent UD Residence Hotel and grabbed lunch at the impressive Good Corner and a quick recce of the area before a siesta. We reconvened and plumped for the brilliant Restaurant Da Sofia.

The pizza was as good as I could remember tasting and the service first first-class. We headed to the Day & Night bar area where the locals were most helpful. After a couple of beers at incredibly agreeable prices, it was time to hail a tuk-tuk to the match.

A vehicle was commandeered for us; presumably with the driver knowing where he was going. If only things were so simple in Thailand! We were about to have a tour and my patience was severely tested.

I was pretty sure that we were heading in the wrong direction, but I left it to our pilot. This was not one of my greatest ever decisions. Within fifteen minutes we’d fought through the heavy traffic to arrive at a municipal facility with a stand, but definitely no professional football.

We headed down a side road where the driver got out and spoke to some locals; two of whom wore Udon Thani replica shirts. Surely they would know? All was looking well as we joined the cross-city traffic, some more were decked out in club colours.

All of a sudden, for reasons best known to himself, our driver took a left turn. He looked back to us with pride, only to be met resounding “mai” from the pair of us. He’d taken us to the former home at Udon Thani Rajabhat University.

Off we went again. He obviously had two options on his list. Time was getting on, so I was more than a little relieved to see the shining floodlights of the correct stadium from the main Thanon Pracha Raksa.

We did a left down Ban Lueam to the entrance of the Institute of Physical Education. We jumped out and gave our new close smiling friend a substantial tip on top of the arranged fare. We must have been in a good mood!

I’d contacted some western fans of the club through their Facebook page and was aware that the club got good attendances. Indeed, the stadium had been extended in recent weeks. Rather than going in the best seats, we decided to go with the masses on the far side.

On the way around we saw fans playing instruments and generally getting into a party atmosphere. Thai's really did make an effort around the match. The ever-amiable Steve ended up playing the tambourine with one group!

To see the atmosphere outside and during the game, click here for a homemade video.

Our tickets cost 80 Baht (around £1.70) which allowed us access to any of the three sides opposite the main area. Water costs just a few further Baht. It was encouraging to see so many youngsters in attendance. The fair pricing made it affordable.

Initially, we tried to get in the main area down the side, but it was absolutely mobbed from around thirty minutes before kick-off. We ended up in one of the new sections near the corner flag, with a tree of all things restricting the view slightly.

The Main Stand had covered seating on the far side. Opposite were open deep steps to allow sitting, with extensions on either side. The ends around the running track had open deep steps, with the visiting fans being plonked in a small section in the corner.

The Army fans were well regimented. It was as though they were still on duty. They remained silent but then chanted in unison; whereas the home support had several little groups around the arena all playing their own instruments and singing their own songs.

The match got underway and soon became clear that it wasn’t going to be a classic. Army’s tactics were extremely obvious. They’d come north to frustrate the hosts and to try and grab a winning goal. Udon Thani did not look to have many ideas how to counteract this tactic.

The hosts Milan Bubalo looked most disappointing. We quickly came to the conclusion that Udon were not playing with enough width to try and get around the disciplined United defence. Indeed, it could have been the Bangkok side who took the lead.

On ten minutes Brazilian midfielder Diego Lima saw a header go just over the bar. Udon were frustrated when they thought they’d sprung the offside trap. We thought it a poor decision at the time, and later highlights confirmed it.

Army came close again halfway through the opening period, as Brazilian forward Erivelto saw his effort go narrowly wide. The half closed with a challenge that bordered on an assault on Army’s Brazilian skipper Rodrigo Frauches. The referee either didn’t see it or made a shocking decision not to take action.

At the interval, we decided to move places and sat behind the goal Udon were hoping to attack. The view wasn’t the best, but we were around a decent atmosphere as fan groups on either side of us tried to raise their side.

The first half had been frankly awful, and we were hoping for some quality after the restart. It was Army who took the lead three minutes after the break. A free kick went wide and found Frauches who lobbed it back into the box where Erivelto headed home.

Udon keeper Witsanusak Kaewruang went down as though shot by a sniper when he had made a real mess of things from the cross. He hadn’t impressed us too much, and his actions smacked of trying to restore his pride.

We thought that would have been a call for Army to defend even more resolutely, but Udon levelled things up ten minutes later. A very good inswinging cross from Kasidech Wettayawong found the head of Danusorn Wijitpanya to glance home.

Army responded with a fine move and low cross from Tossakorn Boonpeng for Suradet Thongchai to stoop and head goalwards, only to be denied by Kaewruang who made a decent stop to redeem himself.

Udon returned fire when a fine jinking run put in a forward who struck the post; alas from an offside position. A long-range effort from an Army player caused confusion for Kaewruang after it deflected off one of his defenders.

The match was into the fourth minute of stoppage time when United’s Kanok Kohyangphueak was shown a harsh red card for a robust challenge. His side had one last opportunity to snatch all three points when Erivelto’s misguided free header nearly set up Diego Lima.

We headed back to the main road and then started walking down Thanon Pracha Raksa towards the city centre when we flagged down a tuk-tuk heading in the other direction. We were soon dropped at Central Plaza and headed back to Day & Night.

We went on to have a fantastic evening in a vibrant and most agreeable area for nightlife. It certainly received the thumbs up when we gathered our thoughts the following morning.

Udon Thani 2 Customs United 2 (Sunday 7^th April 2019) Thai League 2 (att: 2,985)

It was back down to Udon from Chiang Mai after a most enjoyable Sixes competition. I was in absolute top form and Steve was in far better nick on arrival than the previous year. Our flight arrived at 3pm leaving not much time before kick-off.

We checked into our rooms at @Home at Udon before heading to the bus station to sort out our arrangements for Tuesday morning when he headed to Buriram. This was not as straightforward as it sounds; as there was no direct service.

A meal was taken at The Good Corner as we digested the news and tried to think of alternative options. Never mind. There always had to be a way to get there. I had other priorities, like how we would get to the newly built SAT Stadium and back.

After depositing our dirty laundry, we went to the Central Plaza to get a taxi. We managed to sort a fare for the 15km journey. Steve tried to negotiate it in such a way that our driver would receive more for a return journey than the way out if he picked us up.

He chatted away on his phone but in the end, he decided that he couldn’t take us back. We were pushing it for the start. The national anthem was audible as we were dropped in the car park. After purchasing our 80 Baht (£2) tickets, we went upstairs to the Main Stand.

SAT Stadium was certainly an improvement from the Institute of Physical Education Udon Thani Stadium, but surely the location would prove problematic to attract crowds? I guess that nearly every Thai has access to a car or motorbike/scooter?

Our stand had a roof and was raised well above pitch level, running most of the full length of the touchline. The centre section was for VIP’s. Opposite was a similar-sized structure, only open to the elements.

A running track surrounded the pristine playing surface, with no spectator accommodation around either of the curves around the goals. If ever required there was lots of room for expansion beyond the current perimeters.

The match was not dissimilar to Udon’s game with Army United on our previous visit. The home side was playing too narrow and struggling to forge out any opportunities of note. Their best chances were to get wide, but they didn’t do it nearly often enough.

The hosts certainly had more of the pressure and played some good stuff without any real end product against their bottom of the table opposition. The fans on the far side were doing their best to raise their side; albeit in clusters of different supporter groups.

Warut Supphaso wasted a decent chance when he fired across goal when played in before skipper Prakit Deeprom fired a speculative shot over the bar. As often happens, a side is punished for not taking advantage of their dominance.

In first-half stoppage time, Customs were awarded a free kick wide on the left which Anusorn Sricaloung planted past home keeper Kittipun Sansuk, who made a shocking misjudgement to let the curling effort over his head and in to make it 1-0 at the break.

We decided to have a walk at the interval and watch the second half from the far side. Who knows, we may have bumped into some other Farang fans who could offer us a ride back, or at least offer us advice. The stadium certainly wasn’t on a regular bus route!

We surveyed the numerous catering outlets. Fried maggots? No thanks! In the end, we grabbed a bottle of water each for 20 Baht and a bowl of Dim Sum, which was outstanding value with seven pieces in sauce costing just 20 Baht.

The middle sections were pretty busy, so we took up a spot near the end of the open stand, just above one of the splinter fan groups, with plenty of locals smiling and intrigued at the presence of two westerners.

Udon continued to press but were undone on the break on fifty minutes as the Cameroon striker Isaac Mbengan capitalised on some reluctant defending to double Custom’s lead with a rasping left-foot drive. The away following of around a hundred fans opposite were ecstatic.

Big Brazilian forward Bruno Correa had come on for Udon just before halftime and began to use his physical presence and nous to good effect. His flicked header helped his side back into the game just before the hour mark as Jetsada Badcharee scored at the back post.

Udon poured forward looking to get at least a point out of the game. Attacks were thwarted, and players on both sides went down too easily trying to fool the referee. The board went up for additional time. Steve and I were on the verge of leaving to look for a taxi.

Then the ref was indeed fooled; at least it looked like it from our position. He pointed to the penalty spot for the softest of handball decisions against a dejected Chakrit Rawanprakone. Correa made no mistake with his kick to make it 2-2.

There was no sign of any taxis anywhere around the perimeter as we made our way out. The security by the stadium entrance onto the main 2410 road couldn’t help. We started to walk along the road, praying to see a taxi. Our hopes were not high.

Then out of nowhere, we received a huge boost. A large car pulled up. A gent in a Udon shirt asked where we were going? His English was certainly better than our Thai as he told us to get in. Suk was to become the hero of the hour.

He took us all the way back to the Central Plaza and we had a lovely chat. He was a lecturer at one of the local colleges who loved English football, with Liverpool being his team. He went well out of his way having rung his wife to tell her he’d be late home.

Suk couldn’t understand why we were at the game. He drove along in a state of disbelief as I explained my hobby and the other Thai clubs that I’d visited for matches. He was over the moon that we’d checked out his club. It seemed like a form of honour.

He refused to take anything in return for his astonishing kindness. It epitomised why I love Thailand and its people so much. We’d experienced a lift from a Muang Thong in Bangkok several years previously in Bangkok, but this time it really was appreciated.

Steve and I went on our way, enjoying yet another top night in Udon and its various establishments. The following day we sourced out the train option to Buriram as well as sampling some fantastic food in the Sports Bar on Soi Samphan.

Udon hadn’t let us down. In fact, it could have done with being a little less inviting when I got the taste on the Monday evening, but that’s another story.

Samut Prakan City

 

Samut Prakan City FC is a professional football club with an interesting story to its formation in 2018. The origins of Pattaya United FC, who were based in the Nong Prue suburbs of the Gulf seaside town, can be traced back to 1989.

However, owner Tanet Phanichewa decided to disband the club, but keep their license and move them to the south of Bangkok as Samut Prakan City FC. United’s history along with my visit can be read about here.

The club moved into Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium along with Samut Prakan FC. The arena had previously staged top-flight football as home to Osotspa FC who changed their title to Super Power Samut Prakan FC in their second season in residence before morphing into Jumpasri United FC and heading off to Mahasarakham.

The vacancy was obviously noticed by Mr Phanichewa prior to him bringing in new head coach Surapong Kongthep. Investment was made in the team, and City ended the 2019 season in sixth place with Ibson Melo topping the scoring charts.

A Japanese-Thai connection was introduced to the club as new coach Tetsuya Murayama remodelled the squad. His tenure lasted just a few months before being replaced by Masatada Ishii as ‘Sea Fang’ ended again in sixth in 2020-21.

Barros Tardeli had led the scoring while on a one season loan from BG Pathum United. The 2021-22 campaign was a far different affair. Crowds dwindled partly to the COVID-19 pandemic and after early enthusiasm waned.

Yasushi Yoshida was appointed as head coach in December 2021 and despite the goals of Chayawat Srinawong and a late upturn in form, City were relegated on the final day of the season. Wholesale changes were announced at the club in the summer of 2022. 

The owners sold City, who would become a feeder club to Chonburi FC, as many of that club's players were sent on a seasons’ loan. Sharks former assistant coach Jukkapant Punpee was appointed in charge of team affairs at Samut Prakhan.

He was replaced by Kritsakorn Kerdpol and then Tana Chanabut as a dip in form saw City in a battle against relegation. The 2023-24 campaign saw a new owner, Samrit Bunditkitsada, purchase the club. He certainly made an impression, not being slow to court publicity.

Vantawut Whangprasert was appointed as head coach, lasting five months before being replaced by Wanderley Junior. His spell didn’t last until the end of the season, with Vantuwut returning to the dugout as City finished fifteenth with Fernando Viana top scoring.

However, that only tells half the story. Players went unpaid for long periods leading to a clear-out before the 2024-25 season. The club was locked out of Samut Prakan Stadium over non-payment of rent, meaning that they became tenants of Customs United in Lad Krabang.

Samut Prakan City FC will play in Thai League 2 in the 2022-23 season.

My visits

Samut Prakan City 1 Police Tero 1 (Saturday 22nd January 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 486) 

Based in Min Buri directly north of Samut Prakhan, for a couple of months, I decided that with my newfound knowledge of local transport that it was time to venture a little bit further. SAT Stadium previously looked a bit awkward to get to.

A Saturday teatime kick-off was ideal as was the fixture. It gave me a chance to catch up again with Tero and a few of their fans who are friends with a couple of mine, Sean and Tracey Newby.

 

Tickets had to be bought online in advance, but that proved no problem. I plumped for the away zone for 200 THB. Buses and their timetable can be unreliable at best in Bangkok, so I gave myself plenty of wriggle room.

In my favour was a previous trip to FC Bangsaotong, not too far west of this venue. Minburi to Bangkapi is always a piece of cake. The 145 from there can be a bit sketchy, but there were no issues on this occasion. 

Indeed, it was to be my lucky day as the 133 soon pulled up at my stop at Seacon Square. From there I was taken adjacent to the stadium. A Tero fan getting onboard during the ride confirmed all was good.

It was only around 4.30pm, an hour before the scheduled kick-off time. I immediately took a liking to the outside of SAT Stadium while standing on Thepharak Road behind the main stand. I was taken back to the 1980’s in an instant.

It reminded me of the hemmed in streetscene surrounding many inner-city lower division and non-league grounds of that era. The TV crew vans added to the congestion along with pop up stalls vending food and drink. All that was missing was the smell of burgers and Bovril.

Getting stuck into the beers, along with a complimentary nip or two of whisky from the friendly away hardcore fans, a little too easily, I decided to introduce myself to a group of ex-pat away fans I’d seen at Tero’s home game the week before. 

They were an interesting group. Extremely boisterous, including a couple of Hearts fans who’d seemingly fallen out of a time tunnel from the Wheatfield Stand in the late 70s. They were not shy to offer out their thoughts or insults.

A poor Thai couple came walking down the road wearing Port FC shirts. I quickly worked out that this wasn’t the fellas' most favourite club. The kick-off was put back thirty minutes, which added to the session.

We stumbled in as the teams lined up for the King’s Anthem. I was quite impressed with the inside of the venue too. We were down the side towards the corner flag, with a covered seated section further up and then more open accommodation.

The more vocal City fans were based over in the covered stand which ran the full length of the far side. To negate poor views caused by the running track, semi-permanent open stands had been erected square to the goal lines. 

Evandro Paulista had the first effort of the game for Tero, with his low shot being safely gathered by keeper Patiwat Khammai. A direct curling free kick at the other end struck the top of the frame of Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool’s goal.

Paulista gave his side the lead when he rose like a salmon at the back post to head a home a delicious bending cross from Ekkachai Sumrei on seventeen minutes as he climbed above his marker to put the ball in off the post.

 

Hathairattanakool looked confident in dealing with a couple of threats, but he was caught out lingering with the ball at his feet. Chatri Rattanawong dispossed him but could not slot the ball into the vacant goal from a wide angle.

Daisuke Sakai then stung the palms of the visiting stopper, who nearly palmed the ball over his own line. A wonderful little reverse pass put in City’s Kevin Ingreso. The shot from the BG Pathum United loanee flew across the face of goal.

 

At the interval we popped back out to the stall and then managed to circumnavigate the stadium booze rules by adding a coke top to disguise the Leos to our pints with permission from the stewards. I guess this camouflage was in case the TV cameras panned round!

Into the second half a combination of ricochets and brave defending somehow denied Ingreso from restoring parity. The hosts’ task was made harder just before the hour mark when Chaiyawat Buran picked up a silly yellow card and was dismissed. 

Chayawat Srinawong missed a guilt edged chance to level things up when fed by a perfect cross from Settawut Wongsai along the carpet, but the substitute scuffed his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

Seven minutes from time Samut Prakan got the equaliser that their performance probably merited. A fine cross curling away from the keeper by Suphanan Bureerat allowed Srinawong to make amends as he headed home. 

Tero’s fine away support continued to get behind their side, but they must have feared the worst as pressure continued to mount. Hathairattanakool got a poor punch on a cross, the ball was fired back in where an intended goalward deflection from Aris Zarifovic was gratefully pounced on by the custodian.

Referee Sahapop Sriboonlue blew for full time after five minutes additional time. 1-1 was a fair result. My alcohol content decreed a taxi a good idea. I had an invite to a party at my local bar. A messy evening ensued.

Samut Prakan City 0 Customs United 3 (Sunday 11^th September 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 232) 

There had been much upheaval at Samut Prakan City FC following their relegation to the second tier, with Chonburi FC taking up ownership and sending several of their players on loan. I was keen to see how it affected things.

Especially as I had been to see local rivals Customs the week before and had left very impressed by their own overhaul during the close season. And best of all, I had sussed out a cheap and easy way to reach the stadium. 

Shaking off a bit of a hangover I pressed myself into action. The incessant rain had stopped, it was a lovely afternoon as I headed to the van station at the top end of Minburi Market, from where we were away on a full bus within minutes.

I messaged my Aussie pal Vaughan McClear to tell him my plans and he got straight back to say he would meet me at the ground. The van sped without any traffic issues to Market Village Suvarnabhumi in Bang Na.

A return trip from Chonburi after an international had opened this route to me a few months earlier and it only cost 30 baht. From there I crossed the bridge over the busy Bang Na-Chonburi expressway to have a quick browse around the interesting Kingkaew Market.

Before long the 132 bus arrived and took me the rest of the way for a further 20 baht. So 50 baht all in when a taxi back last time cost me over 400 baht. I arrived with over an hour and a half before the kick off time but this was all part of my plan. 

The area around the stadium had intrigued me on my earlier visits, so I was keen to explore, especially some of the establishments shown on Google Maps were no longer in business following the Covid pandemic.

Bang Phli Market just south of the arena was bustling, mainly dealing in fresh foods. The streets of the area, along with adjoining alleys, were my perfect way of seeing what I call real Thailand. Communities getting on with their business and chatting away.

The smiles and hellos I received gladdening the heart as I meandered just generally filling in time, passing a couple of snooker halls, numerous coffee, and smoothie shops, and lots of general stores who somehow keep going, which is always a mystery to me as to how they manage.

But manage they do, as Thais are a resilient bunch. I had been a laid down with a 24 hour bug a few days earlier, so I was keeping street food to a minimum. I went for the rather safe but dull option of toasties from 7/11. Incredible to think I virtually lived on such food before my eyes and mind were opened. 

Vaughan arrived and parked up as I finished a beer as I explained to him the story behind the clubs and current form etc. The hosts, who my brother thought David Bowie had written a song about, cam into the game winless, whereas United were unbeated.

Tickets were 80 baht on the Popular Side among the noisy City fans. We grabbed a beer and took up a pew on the back row. While low in numbers the fans made an absolute din with leaders on megaphones accompanied by drums. It was so loud that it was hard to strike up a conversation. 

City came close to taking the lead in the sixth minute when a low shot from Warakorn Thongbai was fumbled by keeper Sumethee Khokpho, with Passakorn Sripudpong somehow managing to spoon the follow up over the bar.

At the other end Japanese midfielder Daisuke Sakai saw his effort easily saved by Thatpicha Auksornsri. Yotsakorn Burapha saw a low left footed effort go narrowly wide for the hosts before another effort from outside the box just missed at the other side of the goal. 

City were in the ascendency but were missing a finisher. I later learned that their main forward was out injured. His presence could have been a game changer, but we will never know. Customs classy David Cuerva stung the hands of Auksornsri as half time approached.

At the break Vaughan and I replenished our cups, and I had a chat with some pleasant expat City fans who seemed a cheerful bunch. We moved a bit further along after the restart, so we were able to have a proper chat. 

Customs looked a different side after the break. They saw a shot fumbled wide by Auksornsri before taking the lead on forty-nine minutes. A corner from Sakai was nodded home at the near post by top scorer Phodchara Chainarong, one of five United players on loan from Port FC. Only his marker Phanthamit Praphanth can explain what he thought he was doing.

Cuerva had a low bending shot pushed around the post before it became 0-2 on sixty-five minutes. A cross at the second attempt from Chainarong was cleverly turned in at the near post by fellow Port loanee Sittha Boonlha. 

A low effort from Rachata Moraksa was powerful enough but was straight at keeper Khokpho. With six minutes remaining United expended their lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances when a shot from Sakai took a wicked deflection off the head of Nattapong Phephat to leave goalie Auksornsri helpless.

Burapha saw a shot well blocked in the final action of the game. A 0-3 reversal was harsh on City, but they missed their chances and were made to pay. United portrayed the qualities of a good team when winning convincingly when playing averagely.

Vaughan kindly dropped me back to Market Village where I caught the van back to Minburi with minutes to spare. The driver had been correct on the way down when telling me I would be OK at 9pm! I spent the remainder of an enjoyable day watching a great England Test match performance. A really good Sunday all round.

Samut Prakan City 1 Rajpracha 0 (Friday 11th November 2022) Thai League 2 (att: 129)

My friend Gary was down from Buriram for a football weekend before meeting up with Ryd, a mutual friend from Scarborough at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the Sunday morning. This was a natural choice of fixture as he had never visited Samut Prakan Stadium. 

Neither had Steve, another friend of us both, so he decided to jump onboard once the pair of us had been for a quick look round Minburi Market. My Google map directions were not the best and led to us taking a long route before we eventually got on the main road which heads towards Chonburi.

We still had plenty of time before kickoff, and it was good to meet up with loyal City fan and Twitter friend Phil Williams and his wife Tun as we grabbed a beer before going into the stands. It was only a couple of weeks since my previous visit as the stadium hosted FC Bangsaotong inthe Thai FA Cup.

There had been more in attendance to see a non-league team, which must have worried those in charge of Samut Prakan City. That said, those in attendance really got behind their side who put in a decent performance in response.

Supawat Yokakul in goal for the hosts was first into the action having to tip over an overhit cross from under his own bar. A fine break started by Rachata Moraksa saw Nititorn Sripraman being put in. His effort was saved by Pathomtat Sudprasert with the follow up by Sho Shimoji hitting his own player on the deck and bouncing over the bar. 

Nigerian midfielder Evans Aneni was a quality act in midfield for the hosts in what was a most watchable encounter with the red sky in the distance providing a stunning backdrop. The visitors somehow spurned the opportunity to take the lead three minutes before the interval.

A deep cross was laid back by Pinyo Inpinit to Ronnachai Rangsiyo in the middle of the goal just two yards out. He managed to hit the feet of keeper Yokakul. At the break Phil thought that the ball had crossed the line. Either way, it was a shocking effort.

 

The goalie didn’t reappear for the second half, and surprisingly nor did Aneni. Five minutes after the restart a lovely slide rule pass from Praphanth put in Shimoji who dinked his effort past the oncoming Sudprasert but past the post.

Atthawit Sukchuai for Rajpracha brought out the best of sub keeper Ratchaphol Namthong. At the other end Yotsakorn Burapha controlled a shot and smashed his effort aginst the crossbar with the goalkeeper rooted to his line. 

The winner arrived ten minutes from time, when Kriangkrai Pimrat who fed fellow substitute Phanthamit Praphanth who banged his left footed shot away into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Supawit Romphopak had a chance to level things up but he shot tamely straight at Namthong as City hung on to probably deserve all three points. We all enjoyed the game, the atmosphere and venue. 

The way back to Minburi was made interesting by poor directional skills, which saw us get jammed by a khlong bridge next to an interesting bar. The girls working there certainly seemed bewildered. We eventually returned for Gary and I, to have beers with my girlfriend Taew at her Minburi bar.

Samut Prakan City 2 Chiangmai United 1 (Saturday 2^nd September 2023) Thai League 2 (att: 494) 

Well, I thought I’d seen some stuff over the years, but as I often say in Thailand: never presume. The hosts probably overall deserved the victory gained through a fine early strike from Sangjin Lee and then a header from Fernando Viana. The visitors struck back through Marlon Silva seven minutes after the restart, but that was only half of the story.

The atmosphere had been great despite a small gate, with the locals knowing how to make a din. The game wasn’t the worst either with the home side near the wrong end of the table up against the away team who were near the playoff zone and looked extremely useful when I saw them win away on the opening day of the season.

 

City had missed a guilt edge chance at 2-0 to finish off the game, but on the hour mark I had Chiang Mai down for at least a draw. Indeed, I was doing “live” reports back to my mate to edit for our Thai Football Podcast which is out on Wednesday, and I was about to offer my predictions when all hell broke loose.

Prakan scored with a well taken lob, but the CMU players were most unimpressed, haranguing the linesman, with referee Satchukorn Saenchu heading over. The officials ushered the players away and then had a discussion of a few minutes. VAR is not used in the second tier of Thai football, but between them they decided to chalk off the goal. 

Cue, the management of SPC completely losing the plot with the near side linesman and fourth official before they ordered their players off the pitch and refused to continue. It was a disgrace, embarrassing, and shambolic. I’ve no idea how it was resolved but after a lengthy delay the game resumed.

The final half hour was not good to watch. It turned into a contest of who could con the weak officials the most. My mood wasn’t the best after the incident anyway, so the theatrics didn’t help. CMU had a goal disallowed, for pushing from a set piece, before the whistle eventually went to signal happy celebrations among the home players and fans. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

It was a shame. City have been taken over by new owners who have given the stadium a facelift and there was a positive vibe about the place. However, they had an incident with officials the previous week, and their opening day win at Pattaya was marred with off field hassle. 

Then the previous week to my visit, the coaches had been embroiled in arguments with the match officials in the away game at Nakhonsi United. The Chaingmai game made it three times in four weeks, and they did seem to be attracting bother.

My Video Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

My appearance was opportune for the podcast I was co-hosting as I was originally planning to go to Rayong v Nakhonsi but a friend's plan changed so my wife and I returned from Bangsaray so I could still get to a match.

My journey to Bang Pli was via Bangkapi and then a ride on the new Yellow Line Monorail before disembarking past Seacon Square and catching the 133 bus. I returned by taxi to the village retail park where a minivan and then taxi took me home.

An eventful evening!