Grakcu Sai Mai United

Grakcu Sai Mai United FC is a semi professional football club based in the northern Sai Mai district of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The club has gone through several name changes since their formation in 2009 before taking their present title in 2018.

The club have had a busy history since being formed as Rose Asia Pathum Thani FC when they played their home games at Chalerm Prakiat Klong 6 Stadium and joined the newly formed Regional League Central East Division. 

Their inaugural season was a disaster as they finished bottom of the table and winning only one game as well as going out in the qualifying round of the FA Cup.

In 2010 the club were re-located to the Bangkok Area division of the Regional League, but once again they finished bottom of the pile. For the 2011 season they changed their name to Thanyaburi Rose Asia United. 

Another name change came in 2011 as Thanyaburi United was adopted following the purchase of the club by a Korean national.

In 2013 the club changed title to Grakcu Looktapfah Pathumthani FC when they became the feeder side to Air Force United FC, playing their home games at the Tupatemee Stadium and finishing in third place.

Me in my Looktabfah shirt outside the Grand Palace in 2013

A couple of mid table finishes ensued in 2014 and 2015 before they were moved into the Bangkok Region; where they weighed in with a fifth place as Kwabena Boateng topped the scoring chart.

The Thai League system was restructured for 2017 with Grakcu being placed in Thai League 4 Bangkok Region; finishing one place away from the bottom of the table. The name change to Grakcu Sai Mai United paid dividends for the 2018 season in their new Grakcu United Stadium in Sai Mai.

The team ended in third place and qualified for the Champions League promotion play-offs where a win against Pattani meant that United qualified for the group stage, where any hopes of going up were extinguished.

The top scorer has been Krittanon Thanachotjaroenphon before Basam Radwan Mahmoud Mohamed Afify took over the mantle in the 2019 season as the side finished in sixth position. The Thai national football system was changed for the 2020-21 season as it moved to a European calendar. 

The fourth tier was dispensed of as Grakcu were placed in League 3 Bangkok Perimeter, where they finished in ninth position with Ghanian Emmanuel Kwame Akadom striker leading the scoring charts.

The 2021-22 campaign saw United, coached by Tewesh Kamonsin, end bottom of the table awaiting their fate regarding the structure of the league system for 2022-23. As it transpired the adult side was superseded by the academy although there was little trace online of that by 2024.

My visits

Grakcu Looktapfah Pathumthani 1 Futera Seeker 1 (Wednesday 27th March 2013) Thai Regional League Central West Region (att: c200)

I was in Bangkok with a spare day before my friends arrived ahead of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes, and I'd put it aside for my favourite hobby.

I'd already visited several stadiums for photos and to broaden my knowledge before arriving at Tupatemee Stadium well in time for the 5pm kick-off. As with most lower league matches I'd seen in the country. 

The car park outside had quite a few fans gathering to use the catering facilities and to look inside the club shop. A gent was making announcements to those outside, and he shook my hand as he saw a curious visitor trying to take it all in.

The fixture intrigued me. I could only realistically stay for the first half as my main event of the evening was the Premier League clash between Police United and Suphanburi, but I wanted to catch as much as I could at the first game because the visitors had one amazing story to tell.

Futera Seeker, owned by Futera the card trading company, had gained a place in the Thai Regional League for the start of the 2013 season after trialling their project on a team in a London league. They became the first professional football club to be interactively managed live by an international Online Community. I wanted to find out more.

As I stood outside the Main Stand with a drink I met Mark Watson, one of Futera's project managers. After a brief chat he invited me into the press area once the game was under way. 

By now several members of the Air Force had marched by and were now going through regimented chants inside the stand. I paid my 50 Baht, had my hand stamped and went inside to take my seat in the only covered area of the arena.

For a full description of Tupatemee Stadium and more photos, please click here to go to the Air Force United page. After the usual shaking of hands and the national anthem, the game kicked off a few minutes late, which I found to be the norm in The Land of Smiles. 

The servicemen continued to chant, with a leader taking them through songs, while the vocalists read from the song sheets. The temperature was in the late thirties and the pitch appeared bobbly, so I didn't expect a classic.

Either side had an African import in their starting elevens, and it was Tapfah's number five who wasted the best early chance when he volleyed over from a corner. A poor back pass let in the Seeker centre forward, but the home keeper got his team mate out of strife with a fine save. The same forward, who looked about the best on show, had a good run and shot, which went just wide.

I laughed as a local slugged away on his whisky, while his wife looked on at the action. Tapfah almost took the lead, but their number thirteen hit the outside of the post from a narrow angle. I decided to take up Mark's offer with around half an hour on the clock.

I saw the Seeker operation played out in front of my eyes. I must admit that I had to rub them in case I was seeing things. A cameraman was filming the game live so that all subscribers around the world could watch, while commentary was offered in Thai and English. 

To think someone sat in his bedroom on a Wednesday morning in England could determine what was about to happen was frightening. Not least the potential betting implications.

Mark was on his laptop taking in the suggestions from the subscribers who could vote on such things as tactics, formation, playing style, substitutions and other decisions, with their instructions being passed to the players on the pitch.

As the game played out the instructions were fed out via a walkie talkie and an interpreter who passed on the info to the Thai coach. I was absolutely staggered.

Apparently, the coach was happy with the situation and up to four hundred subscribers were enjoying the experience. In fairness, the team were playing quite well on the pitch; but it looked like a nightmare waiting to happen to me.

At half-time, I sped across the car park and was soon in a taxi heading to the Thammasat University Stadium for the evening's entertainment.

To see my amateur video of the occasion, click here.

Grakcu Sai Mai United 1 Nonthaburi United S Boonmeerit 2 (Wednesday 22nd December 2021) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: c50)

A chance to visit Grakcu in their new home and guise occurred a few weeks after I had relocated to the Bangkok district of Minburi. I was already getting out and about watching football after making valuable contacts.

This Wednesday afternoon fixture fitted in perfectly. I needed to extend my 30-day tourist visa by a month at the same side of the city. I eventually found the huge Immigration centre at Chaeng Wattana, only after a bit of communication to be redirected to a temporary office next to the Thunderdome home of Muang Thong United.

 

I’d had a hassle with my bank back home stopping payments on my card and then arrived at the Muang Thong Thani office just as they were adjourning for an hour lunch break, a reminder of how things used to work in simpler more civilised times in the UK.

I made sure I was first in the queue upon resumption and felt confident I’d make it all the way to the match by public transport. My naivety and lack of local pronunciation was to put pay to that. A taxi driver took up the strain with the aid of my Google Maps App. The ground really would be difficult to find without the App.

It’s in a narrow road community a couple of miles from the nearest main road. However, the ride only cost the equivalent of a couple of quid, and I arrived ten minutes before kick-off. All good. There was even time to pop into the convenience store across the road from the ground for provisions before paying my THB50 admission and taking a few snaps.

Grackcu United Stadium was no thing of beauty, but it was homely. I’m not sure the floodlights were up to scratch for League 3 football. I guess they’re not alone in that department and that’s why games generally kick off in the afternoon. 

There were two little covered enclosures down the side flanking a double-decker building with facilities for players, officials and media. A high net surrounded the pitch. There wasn’t really anything else in the way of spectator accommodation, save for a little structure of open bleachers.

I took up my place at the back of one of the covered areas with a steep rake for sitting where I met an Irish fella from Dublin called Adam who enjoyed this division’s football for its affordability and entertainment. We had a good chat throughout the game.

 

He too was trying to live like a local to integrate and save money. It certainly beat a shift on the tube as far as I was concerned. He was a proper connoisseur of this division and he recognised me from the previous Sunday’s game at Nonthaburi.

Adam encouraged me to buy a moped to get to games. Those who know my clumsiness would readily disagree unless they were connoisseurs of dark comedy. His knowledge of the finer points of the game was impressive, whereas I go more for light entertainment.

 

Out on the pitch we were treated to a reasonable game, at least in my eyes. My new friend did not rate the visitors head coach Abdoul Coulibaly who he said didn’t coach at all. I must admit that he was found wanting in his previous game when Nonthaburi gave up a two-goal lead.

A change from Nonthaburi’s previous game was that their Brazilian star Lima played a little deeper. It paid good effect as he set up Moussa Abakar to score on sixteen and thirty-four minutes to put his side 2-0 up. 

The visitors were missing their commanding centre back Sajja Sangsuwan from a few days earlier. It would nearly cost them their advantage for the second game running. His replacement Wakhim Churat was ponderous with the Grakcu players quickly working him out.

They fought their way back into the encounter, cheered on by a gaggle of locals drinking beer under a canopy beyond the netting behind the goal. A couple of efforts came close, while their defence caught the away side offside on several occasions.

Grakcu reduced the arrears five minutes before the break, through Sattanan Pomsaard after keeper Nattapon Meesaeng had saved an initial shot. The pressure continued, and one can imagine the halftime whistle came as a bit of a relief to the Nonthaburi contingent.

The hosts continued to look for an equaliser after the resumption. For a time it looked like coming but Nonthaburi held firm for whom Padungsak Phothinak had a fine game. Woraphot Somsang hit the post as they looked to extend their lead.

We agreed in the stand that it should have been 3-1 when Jetsada Batchari had a goal chalked out for offside. It appeared a poor decision. As it happens his side deservedly saw out the game to take all three points.

Adam said goodbye and headed off on his scooter. I had my own plans after paying attention on my journey to the game. I waited at the top of the lane on the now vibrant road, where before long a songthaew turned up. 

While I wasn’t sure exactly where it was going, I knew it was in the right direction for the main road and buses. A local seeing me appearing to be confused came out with the re-assuring “to BTS”.

A kind lady helped me, pointing out BTS when we neared Saphan Mai station. Now I knew how everything worked I wouldn’t mind repeating the journey. It’s strange how much different and easier things are in real life rather than looking at a map! 

The Green Line extension was free at the time to encourage new passengers to try it, which was a bonus. What with the 26 bus home from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, my return journey cost just THB29. A grand and cheap day out. Just the sort I enjoy!

 

Futera United

 

Futera United FC is a semi-professional football club based in the Thai capital of Bangkok which was formed in 2019. It is a club with a fascinating story and concept, which goes back to its previous incarnation.

Back in 2012 Futera Seeker FC was born. Within a year they had become members of Thai League in the third tier Central-West playing their home games at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Stadium. 

Futera is a company that is a leading name in trading cards. They are synonymous with those who collect and trade them, with many football clubs around the world being connected with them. They teamed together with Seeker FC to form the club.

It was a football club with a difference to say the least. Members, or holders could obtain shares in the club and then be involved making decisions which included team tactics, selection, and even substitutions, as described in the away game on this page.

The expansion club finished fourth in their debut 2013 season. However, the Futera arm of the operation left the club that became Seeker FC who initially moved to National Housing Authority Stadium in Bangkapi.

Seeker went on to become Pathumthani University FC, gradually morphing and being known as PTU Pathum Thani Seeker, and PTU Pathumthani along the way. That club continues playing in Thai League 3 West as of the 2024-25 season. 

Meanwhile, after a few years out of football, Futera owner Mark Watson formed Futera United FC. It had similar concepts to the old club, only without holders being able to make tactical decisions during a game.

United became members of the Bangkok Premier League playing in its lower divisions while joining ranks with PSW Academy. The side played in the FA Cup in 2022-23 and went out 2-0 away to Sisaket United with coach Pisal Rumrai in charge of the team. The club was placed in Division Two of the BPL for 2023-24 where they ended in second place.

Futera became one of the clubs that passed the requirements to enter the Thailand Semi-Pro League for 2023-24. The club managed to secure Stadium of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) for their home matches with Pissanu Suwannaprom in charge of the team.

United continued to lead the way where others in Thailand often flounder with superb live match coverage on YouTube as well as superb merchandise which is sold globally. It is a club with huge potential which continues to attract new holders and have lively online discussion.

My visit

Futera United 1 Dome FC 4 (Saturday 16^th March 2024) Thailand Semi-Pro League Bangkok (att: 134) 

I was keen to tick off a Futera game and catch up with Mark Watson ten years after I had met him and been given a lowdown on Futera Seeker at an away game when they were members of the Thai League.

I was down in Bangkok sorting out some administration and staying with my wife Taew at our Minburi condo, so this fixture worked out perfectly. I headed to the game by songthaew and then walked the fifteen minutes or so from Lat Krabang Road to the KMITL Stadium.

Admission as usual was free to a match in the competition. I had stocked up with snacks and drinks on the way as catering is generally missing at the ground. Each attendee was given a free packet of trading cards which contained three Futera players, a nice touch.

A match that went pretty much as expected, with Dome favourites to reclaim their Thai League place after a few years absence. They proved to be the better marshalled and fitter of the two sides, yet the hosts also offered great value until their legs gave way after leading at the interval. 

While holders, as Futera’s members are called still have a say in the running of the club, they no longer do so during matches. They have a worldwide following and sell merchandise in great numbers.

They also have an academy across the city. While some shake their heads in disbelief, in a similar way to when Hashtag United joined the English non-league ranks, it is proof that the beautiful game is for more than middle aged blokes. 

In this encounter, in which I sat again with Mark Watson, and his mate Sean, while it was also great to meet groundhopper and Bangkok United fan Svein for the first time, who is of great assistance with information on all things Thai football.

United took the ascendancy after a quiet opening ten minutes. They had players of great individual skill, one moved to centre back from upfront, on the suggestion of those who studied performances. Itthiphon Yotphrom had a fine game.

They went ahead after Dome goalie Atituch Chankar made a fine save to thwart an excellent move. The resulting corner was headed home by Nattawut Jandit after sixteen minutes. The following half hour is as stretched and exciting as I have seen so early in a match with Dome missing a sitter.

Futera had what I thought was a stone wall penalty turned down by the otherwise impressive referee Pichit Thongjanmoon who was keen to employ advantage as often as possible and let the game flow. Then the visitors hit the bar and gradually wrestled control. The Futera contingent were happy to hear the whistle for the interval. 

Dome levelled up a minute after the break. Home keeper Padchaya Panya had sustained a knock in the first half and was slow off his line, bringing down a forward. The ball ran loose with Mr Pichit letting play go on for Peerapat Kantha scored into an empty net.

Itthiphon had to be replaced after a wonderful old school crunching tackle damaged his knee. The respect his opponents and supporters showed him as he hobbled off said everything about his performance. 

A fine away side move was thwarted just past the hour mark. However, the corner saw a good save from Padchaya but Teeraporn Atawongsa was on hand to smash home. Futera were reduced to counter attacking and came close on one occasion. However, it was becoming one way traffic.

Dome hit the bar for a second time, and one felt the hosts best hope was to stay in the game as long as possible and somehow get a late equaliser. It was not to be. Peerapat Chunhacha and Karintron Phakum added late goals as the energy levels sapped out of the Futera players. 

My Roving Report Video for A Thai Football Podcast

Dome who are the team of Thammasat University thoroughly deserved their win and played the game in the right way. They would take some stopping going by this performance. Both teams got a fine reception from the enthusiastic crowd who gave the home side fantastic support.

After the match I managed to requisition a Bolt taxi to take me to an Isan restaurant where an interesting evening ensued with my good lady and Thai friends.