Old Blood

Old Blood FC

Ground: Old Blood Stadium

Capacity: c200

Club Founded: 2020

League: Thai Semi-Pro League Central (current level)

About the Club

Old Blood FC is an amateur football club, based in the Sam Wa district of northeast Bangkok, that was formed in 2020 as an academy. The club introduced an open-age side that entered the Thonburi League in 2026, being placed in Group D. 

They also entered the Semipro League for 2026, with hopes of being promoted to the Thai League 3, with home games being played at Ratchakram Stadium, where PTU Pathumthani plied their trade.

My visit

Old Blood 3 CNT Anubis 1 

Thonburi League Group D - Sunday 5th April 2026

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c25 🎟️ Free

My wife and I had flown back to the capital in a rather dishevelled condition, following a long drink with friends following the completion of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. I’d also been to Chiangmai United v Rasisalai United to round off a very long day.

Despite nursing a horrific hangover, I wasn’t going to refuse an opportunity to get out and about when back at Hat Hai Rat. My luck was in. Just one match was being played in the league all weekend, and it was at a ground I’d not previously visited. Even better, it was just a ten-minute cab ride away.

I’d arrived by taxi with soft drinks and snacks at Old Blood Stadium and academy, focused on serving its local community in northwest Bangkok. They seemed to have got it right on this showing, with their senior team going top of their group in the amateur competition, playing good football against a decent away side.

The away keeper made a good stop from Old Blood’s number 20 in the opening exchanges before Phonput put his side ahead, tricking the goalie at his near post after ten minutes. The lead was doubled in the twenty-fifth minute when Prachya scored a superb goal, bending his effort into the top corner from distance. 

Anubis had older players on show. Their 21 was tall, skilful and rangy. The keeper was a bit too smart for his own good with his feet, leading to some frantic defending on a hot afternoon, with an occasional pleasant breeze, as planes descended into Suvarnabhumi in the distance.

After an hour, Anubis pulled a goal back, before the hosts extended their lead again when Jack’s saved shot was followed up by Phonput. The away side continued to press but found themselves exposed at the back. Harry’s sublime skills set up Peath, who was denied by some brave goalkeeping.

The excitable Harry, who picked up a yellow card for a daft challenge, continued to torment his opponents, while what seemed like an endless supply of volunteers ran around carrying out tasks, at the properly organised club, which went top of their group with the win.

It was a wonderful experience as a visitor. Small covered seating areas to watch from, a warm welcome, a pitch-side open-fronted restaurant and bar, a TV showing the previous night’s FA Cup, plus it has changing rooms at a venue close to the people it serves. I would most certainly return. 

At full time, I went for a short walk back along Thanon Thai Raman from the ground back to Hat Hai Rat before catching a taxi back towards home. I alighted at the 7/11 at the end of our village to buy khao moo daeng for tea from an excellent outdoor stall. Unbelievably, two Old Blood players were already sitting down and getting stuck into their meal!

My brief report from the match and my reflection on the experience that fans will encounter can be heard on the episode of A Thai Football Podcast.

Bangkok AFC

Bangkok AFC

Ground: Stadium of Spirit (MRTA Field)

Capacity: c200

Club Founded: Post 2010

League: Thonburi League (current level)

About the Club

Bangkok AFC is an amateur league team that originated from the Bangkok Football Academy (BFA), which is currently a member of the Thonburi League. In the 2026 season, they used the MRTA Football Field on Rama IX. 

The side reached the quarter finals of the Thonburi Champions League in 2024, where their hopes of honours ended against Thonburi University, before being defeated by Kratoomrai Academy in 2025 after a fine campaign in Zone C.

My visit

Bangkok AFC 3 Minburi City 1

Thonburi League Group C - Sunday 22nd March 2026 

 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c25 🎟️ Free

About the Thonburi League

My latest delve into the Thonburi League during a visit to Bangkok saw me enjoy a very pleasant couple of hours watching an amateur game near the city centre, where Minburi City, a team I used to go and see, were in action. A good game too in the searing heat with goalmouth action and plenty of skill.

The Thonburi League is a competition, nominally at level 5 in Thailand, along with a couple of other self-run regional leagues. Some teams use the competition to prepare for the regional Semi-pro League, from which the winners are promoted into the regional Thai League 3. Thai Leagues 1 and 2 are national.

It is a well-run competition, with plenty of teams on each of its five equal sections, divided according to location. Admission is free at games, and all the venues are of reasonable quality, with every game having a full team of officials. 

Rolling subs are permitted until the final ten minutes of the game, which protects against the heat and ensures everyone gets a decent game. Something for the English FA to ponder so that players don't continually move from club to club in the quest for a regular run. It certainly gave me plenty to report on for my updates to A Thai Football Podcast.

Travel to the Match

On this occasion, I decided to catch a songthaew once I was in Minburi. That took me to Kasem Bundit University on Rom Klao Road, from where I caught the 1-50 bus. It was air-conditioned, so despite it being a long trip, I could enjoy it in comfort.

It only cost 25 THB and dropped me near Rama IX. With time to kill, I had a look around the Fortune Town mall as well as Central across the road. My heart sank when I came across an official Liverpool FC shop. No wonder Thai clubs in Bangkok struggle to attract big crowds.

The Match

This match started with Minburi looking far better than I remembered previously, with an African coach at the helm. However, fielding three 15-year-olds from their academy owing to absence would prove to be their undoing.

The first of which, a goalie was completely out of his depth, something the BAFC players quickly sussed after what looked like a harmless shot from outside the box from the number 9 found the net. 

Chaos ensued when the second goal crossed the line despite the best attempts of a defender and the woodwork to keep it out after another goalkeeping fumble. I had a good view of proceedings from one of the raised open bleachers, after being invited to sit there by Bee, the Minburi City club manager. 

Me and Minburi City

When the club was formed, I’d bought a team shirt. When I attended a game in the old Amateur League, the club presented me with a cap and all kinds of souvenirs. Therefore, on this occasion, it was lovely to be remembered and welcomed by Bee, who was surprised by my appearance. 

He was filming the game, which featured a team predominantly made up of Africans, and asked me why I wasn’t wearing my shirt. I explained I was now living in Sisaket but was staying at our Minburi condo, when the fixture caught my attention and fitted perfectly into my plans. 

Back on the pitch, the amiable, larger-than-life coach, who looked to me for support and some kind of suggestion in exasperation at his team’s failings, had replaced the goalie. The new one was more experienced, but not great. I empathised greatly with my new friend!

After the drinks break, it was 3-0 when a Bangkok player went clean through. They should have added to their tally, but too many players started showing off their range of tricks rather than getting the job done, as can often occur if a team senses they have an easy win on their hands.

Nearly a Comeback

After the break, a mixture of luck, desperate defending, unorthodox goalkeeping, and some clever forward play saw Minburi perform much better. They got a goal back and then saw the BAFC make a couple of good saves, while another shot thundered back off the bar. 

A player arrived with fifteen minutes to go, got changed and went on. If he had been there earlier, it could have made a big difference. Overall, I really enjoyed myself in excellent company, as well as ticking off a new ground for me in the MRTA Fitness Park, which carried the fitting title of the ‘Stadium of Spirit’. 

On to my Second Match of the Day

It was nicely set out with a huge lake behind one goal and the backdrop of the city at the other end. Post-match, I headed off to my second game of the day, which turned out to be an amazing occasion as Police Tero took on Sisaket United, while I was among the incredible away support.

My YouTube video captures my experience from the game

SK 46 Stadium (Bangkok)

Ground: SK46 Football Field
Capacity: 100
Opened: c2024
Clubs: Prataungtip FC Academy, Chiang Rai United FC (Bangkok), plus Available to Hire

A Fine New Venue

Many football venues and academies have developed in Bangkok since the end of the pandemic. SK46 Football Field is an example, with, as the name suggests, it being a football venue in the Sai Mai district of North Bangkok, located at the bottom of Soi 46 off Sai Mai Road. 

Any club can hire the ground, as was the case when I visited for the first time.  It sometimes hosts games in the Thonburi League as well as countless friendlies.

Facilities

Two-storey buildings on two sides contain academy classrooms, VIP rooms, changing rooms, a fitness centre and even a cold tub, giving it an enclosed feel. It is home to an academy, in collaboration with Pratuangthip Wittaya School, as well as being the base of Chiang Rai United in the capital. 

It has floodlights atop concrete telegraph poles, with high netting hanging from them all the way around the pitch, a common feature at Thai amateur venues. While it can be like watching a game through a chip pan, lots of time is saved, and balls don’t go missing. There is also a 7-a-side real grass field in situ.

Other facilities include an air-conditioned clubhouse for supporters to wait, work, and eat comfortably, along with Wi-Fi and private and shared restrooms, making it one of the better grounds for teams wanting to hire somewhere.

My visit

Poma FC 1 Pathumthani FC 7 

Friendly - Wednesday 18th March 2026

 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c15 🎟️ Free

Un Unexpected Game

This game provided an unexpected opportunity to see a game at a venue in Sai Mai, not too far from our Minburi condo, which I’ve never previously visited after it appeared on the Twitter account of @FutbologyThai, who’s well worth a follow, especially if you are thinking of attending games in the Land of Smiles.

It was a good standard too, especially with no admission charge, with Poma currently leading their section in the Thonburi League, playing some good stuff, taking the lead before Pathumthani, gearing up for their Semi-Pro League campaign in the hope of joining the professional ranks, tore them apart.

The Match

The opening goal came via a fine shot from the Poma 22 from outside the box before Pathumthani levelled things up and then failed to take a backward step. They wore maroon and black without numbers on their shirts, while Poma were in a fetching orange, blue and white stripe kit.

It was a hot late afternoon, which saw a linesman facing the sun donning a baseball cap, with a cooling break being taken midway through the first half. I took advantage of sitting in the shade behind the goal with a fan blowing cool air. The splendid SK 46 Stadium ticked all the boxes for football at this level.

It was a dry day for me, but the venue also had a café selling snacks and beer, with a nice restaurant just over the fence behind the far goal. Some walking and a couple of taxi rides did the job to get me there and back, with the Hawksbee & Jacobs podcasts entertaining me along the way.

It was 2-1 at the break and 3-1 pretty soon after, this after a 30-yard free kick cannoned back off a post. I’ll be interested to see how Pathumthani go in their quest to play Thai League 3 football. Poma are no mugs, but they were put to the sword by a talented outfit. The third goal was a back-post volley after the skipper delivered a delicious Liam Brady-esque chip to the unmarked man.

4-1 came about after a corner was not cleared, with a low shot that was out of reach of the goalie. Multiple subs followed. Poma seemed to give everyone a run, including a pint-sized goalie, whereas the victors had a much stronger squad who made hay while the sun continued to shine in the last twenty minutes.

Shots pinged off the metal frame of the goal at regular intervals, with the replacement skipper for Pathumthani skilfully beating the defence to set up a colleague in the middle who smashed the ball home. The sixth was a shot too high for the keeper to reach, with the seventh a low shot that squirmed under him after he and the defence tried to emulate PSG, but as slowly as an HGV. They were inevitably caught out.

A Grand Day Out

A grand, long day out after setting off from our overnight stop near Buriram at 6am. Some shopping for cheddar and a bottle of red ensured that Mrs Rob and I could enjoy a relaxing Thursday night. Unless, of course, a match appeared on Twitter.

Kanthararom United

Kanthararom United FC 

Ground: Sisaket Rajhabat University Stadium

Capacity: 2,000

Club Founded: 2012

League: N/A (current level)

The province of Sisaket takes its football seriously. As well as having two clubs flying the flag at the top end of the Thai League, it also has some other amateur and semi-pro clubs of note. Among them are Kanthararom United.

About the Club 

Kanthararom United FC is an amateur football club representing the small market town of the same name on the road between Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani. 

In 2017 and 2018, the team entered the Thailand Amateur League without any success, as well as the Thai FA Cup in 2018, when known as NBN Kanthararom United, they lost 3-0 to JL Chiangmai United, with the tie being played at SAT Sisaket Stadium in front of 240 fans.

The side returned to the FA Cup in 2022-23, going out 2-1 away to Khon Kaen in the first round with Jeerawat Thonglue in charge of the team. Fellow amateur club, Mahanakon Khon Kaen, ended any hopes of progression in the competition in 2023-24 with a 3-1 victory in the Qualifying Round.

Kanthararom did not enter the following season, but returned in 2025-26, going out once again 4-1 to Khon Kaen in FA Cup qualifying, with the game being switched to Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium, as Jeerawat remained in charge of the team.

Despite playing in the national cup, Kanthararom do not play regular league football, with much of their activity centred around the small-sided NBN Arena pitch, on the main 226 Road, where local competition takes place.

My visit

Kanthararom United 1 Khon Kaen 4

Thai FA Cup Qualifying Round - Wednesday 24th September 2025

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 200 🎟️ Free

As the amateur team from my nearest town doesn’t have a suitable venue in Kanthararom, they switched the match to the Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium, a few miles up the road.

They gave it a good go, too, against the pros from Thai League 3 Northeast. Quality and fitness were decisive factors in the end of an entertaining game played on a glue pot pitch in good spirits, which was sensibly refereed.

Khon Kaen went into a two-goal lead with efforts from the impressive Sakunchai Saenthopho in the second minute and then the excellent Charin Boodhad on the half-hour mark after he had earlier missed a penalty, as the rain teemed down before clearing near half-time. It looked like a large score was on the horizon.

However, the hosts gradually got back into the game and missed two easy chances, playing enterprising football at times despite being porous at the back. The second missed chance took some believing as a forward sliding in at the back post cleared the ball from a yard out.

The visiting coach brought on Brazilian forward Caio when Kanthararom looked like they might sneak a goal back. He was excellent, helping Charin to a second. The home team did score when a low cross was put away at the back post by Arnon Thongphanya, before the final kick of the match saw Caio put away a penalty. 

I’d met my mate John before the game for food and drink at Leo’s town, as we knew there should have only been half an hour before the second part of our extravaganza got underway. The weather certainly played a part in the Sisaket United v Padriew City game.

My Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

Pre-Season Friendlies. What do fans learn?

 Pre-Season Friendlies: What do supporters really learn from them?

Sisaket United 2 All Star 3

Wednesday 16th July 2025

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c100 – 🎟️ Free

Last week, around the world, the pre-season friendlies began with a smattering of grand titles given to some of them to try and add to their prestige, with teams sometimes competing in smaller tournaments with absolutely nothing riding on them. Thailand is no different.

My attention was drawn to a thread on the excellent Non League Matters Forum entitled “What are friendlies telling you about the season ahead?”, wanting feedback from those who had already attended games. The general consensus was “very little”, with managers and clubs’ socials spinning it in whichever way they think benefitted them.

A win would typically be described as an excellent morale booster, with the new signings being a stroke of genius and a pointer to things to come, while defeat was seen as being good to get some miles into the legs of players rather than just training. Much of which, of course, exists to satisfy supporters and help sell merchandise and tickets, while ensuring the optimism continues to build until reality strikes.

Anyway, with my local club Sisaket United having announced six friendlies, but only one at home, it seemed churlish not to go and meet my mate John and see what we could decipher. Here are some of the key things that I picked up.

• The match probably shouldn’t have gone ahead on a waterlogged mud bath. The pitch was heavily chewed up throughout, and while in a sensible world, at least a groundsman would use the opportunity to roll the surface and take advantage of the weather, it will be left to dry with divots going hard, ensuring the pitch will be equally hopeless when it dries.   
• It rains heavily in the wet season in Sisaket. Very heavily. So heavily that the storm five minutes before we were due to play golf abandoned our plans, rendering the course unsuitable, this two hours before the football in the stadium next door was to commence.
• Yorkshire bowled very well v Lancashire in the T20, which was rerun from Friday, we watched in Hong Kong Garden instead of the golf, immediately putting a smile on my face. 
• The two-for-one pints on the promotion of Mahou in Leo’s post-match were excellent value, as was the standard of the bangers and mash.
• My wife and I have found an excellent place for food and coffee on the main road into town, on the forecourt of a Shell gas station, no less.
• The toilets have not been cleaned in the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium since I first went in September 2022. Goodness knows how long before that, and counting. They smell like you can imagine, being frankly a disgrace, and quite possibly a health hazard.
• Ditto the seats in the stand. Yesterday, we were given the option of sitting in puddles accrued in the bucket seats or choosing those at the back under the roof, infested with bird droppings. Another disgrace, and something so simple for the club to sort out, even as tenants, by hiring a couple of locals to clean the seats and the toilets before each game.
• The bow-legged physio is still there, quite possibly the slowest in Thai football. A pleasant old boy, calling him a physio is akin to calling me a chef for preparing a cheese sandwich with a mug of tea after my siesta. He goes on with spray and water.
• Hardly any of the Sisaket team on display will feature in the first team squad, or at least I sincerely hope not. The young goalie who was replaced, coming off smiling after shipping in three goals I’d have fancied myself to save, should be particularly concerned about his career prospects, should they include professional footballer anywhere in the description. I suspect many were trialists whom the new coach decided to take a look at. One was withdrawn not with an injury, but what I would describe as avoiding further punishment, so bad and unfit was he.

And that’s probably about it. I shouldn’t really have expected too much more either. If I did, I was being naïve and suffering from amnesia, as it’s the same every season. At least there was a bit of intrigue surrounding this fixture, which had my imagination doing overtime on the drive into town.

During my many years assisting with the running of cricket events in this part of the world, we would sometimes need an extra team to assist with the logistics, so we would put together a hybrid side and call them “All Stars”. What they were, in effect, consisted of those who couldn’t get a game with the team they’d travelled with, solo attendees, and anyone else whom we could convince to play after a couple of beers.

It wasn’t unusual for a bloke to head out innocently for the evening with a lady in tow, for him to have to explain to her that she had a free couple of days because a set of blokes he’d never previously clapped eyes upon had convinced him that cricket was a great idea.

As it transpired, this All Star team originated from Paris, an Academy, according to one of the two coaches when I delved trying to find out some info from behind the benches at the first of two breaks. The game was being played in three periods of thirty minutes. The All Star group apparently also have a network in Thailand. In football, presumably, but one never knows for certain over here. The players and coaches spoke English or French, with some a bit of both. We thought we recognised one of the coaches, maybe from being previously an assistant at Bangkok FC.

All were available for hire should any club wish to negotiate with them. There was the Yasothon FC coach in attendance, and I wouldn’t be surprised if representatives of other clubs hadn’t gone along for a decko. Some of the players weren’t bad. Some were. They were physically stronger than the Sisaket lads and went into a 3-0 lead. We headed off after an hour and missed Sisaket scoring two in the final period.

All Star guns for hire. How many will get pro contracts?

The All Star mob played in a kit without numbers; only some of the Sisaket players had them, while the pitch had not been marked, with penalty areas, halfway, and touchlines being designated by cones, some on the pitch. Not that it bothered the players, which in a way shows just how pampered some pros really are. We were ten minutes late starting, waiting for a linesman, allowing me to get my first "get on with it" of the season shout from the stand, which was pent up inside of me after watching the England v India Test match on TV.

We were soon perusing the menu in Leo’s and trying to work out what we had learned. Very little, although in a rare optimistic moment, using plenty of guesswork, I suggested to my friend that Sisaket will be more than OK this season. And that is what pre-season friendlies are to supporters. Guesswork and a way to fill the void before the season begins.

The one thing that was for certain was that entering a football ground, having a chat with others, and watching the players do their thing at whatever level while discussing it, is still as magical as ever. Bring on the fixture announcements!

 Article Originally Published in July 2025

 

Warin Chamrap

Warin Chamrap FC

Ground: UBRU Stadium, Ubon Ratchathani

Capacity: 2,000

Club Founded: 1998

League: Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast (current level)

Ubon Rathathani, like many other Isan provinces in Thailand's northeast, is not short of football clubs to represent it. Among the leading amateur and semi-pro outfits is Warin Chamrap, who are well organised and supported.

Warin Chamrap is a semi-professional football club, representing the district of the same name, located just south of the city of Ubon Ratchathani. In recent years, the club have become organised, looked to push for promotion to the professional ranks, while also entering the FA Cup.

In the Thailand Amateur League in 2022, Warin Chamrap ended as runners-up to JFAM United in the Northeast Southern Zone Group E on goal difference to end any dreams of further progression in the competition.

The club participated in the FA Cup in the 2022-23 season, defeating Phachi City 1-0 in the first round at Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Stadium before going out 4-1 away to Ratchaburi under the watchful eye of head coach Jirayoo Suwandee.

In 2024-25, the team went out in the cup in the Round of 64, 2-1 away to Lampang, before competing in the Semipro League, playing their home games at Ubon Ratchathani University Stadium in their home district. In the semi-pro league, the side finished way short of the title but attracted decent attendances. 

FA Cup and Buriram United

The football gods were shining on Warin for the 2025-26 FA Cup. They received a bye in the qualification round before being drawn out of the hat to play away to Buriram United. While the game ended in a 12-0 defeat, the club were given the gate receipts in a wonderful gesture from Newin Chidchob. A crowd of 11,413 attended.

For the 2026 semi-pro league season, the club chose to play their home games at the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Sports School in the centre of the city, which was a former home of Ubon Kruanapat FC before the side coached by Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng moved to the UBRU Stadium.

My visit

at Ubon Ratchthani University Stadium

Warin Chamrap 0 Vongchavalitkul University 1 

Thai Semipro League Northeast - Saturday 10th May 2025

 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 480 🎟️ Free

My pal, John, and I had seen the visitors in action a fortnight earlier away to Ubon Kids City, when after a reasonable start, they ended up getting pumped 6-0. The following week, their home game ended in a 7-1 defeat to Mahasarakhan Siwilai. We pondered what they might produce this time.

Our day out began relatively early, before this 4 pm kick-off, with John collecting me at home before we headed to Ubon to play golf at the Suppasit Prasong Military Golf Course. Fun was had playing a proper course with caddies, and certainly an upgrade on the smaller facility we had been using in Sisaket. 

One thing about playing proper golf when not used to it was the fact that it was a lot more tiring than I remembered. We needed refreshing and energy stocks replenishing. We eventually sat down inside the air-conditioned Tree Cafe Rim Moon that I’d visited a couple of times previously.

It was a Thai holiday weekend, which was reflected by the busy establishment, where excellent local snacks and a bottle of Heineken Zero were enjoyed, with me on a month of abstinence from alcohol to try and shed a bit of timber. 

It was further than we thought to Ubon Ratchathani University, if a simple enough route. The pair of us were surprised by just what a spread-out city it is, with Warin being a continuation of it these days. Many eating and drinking establishments told a tale of a large population south of the River Mun.

The area near the entrance to the campus had quite a collection of businesses, while inside the grounds, we found things to be a little dated and neglected in parts. I’d contemplated going to a game there a couple of years earlier. I would most certainly have needed a driver to the stadium, as the area was huge. 

We arrived at the same time as a bus load of military cadets, while another bus for youngsters would come later. The club had put up signage at the front entrance and along the long route inside the campus to direct those wanting to find the stadium, which impressed me.

As did the setting up of a souvenir stall selling replica shirts at a knockdown price, with the season nearing its end. Everyone seemed very friendly. The obligatory man on the mic talked incessantly while playing modern Thai tunes, creating the semblance of an occasion. 

We sat in the quieter of the two blocks in the main stand, separated by the usual media and officials’ area. Three away supporters who had made the five-hour journey from Nakhon Ratchasima were behind us. My attention was drawn to something quite unusual as the teams warmed up.

I was certain that the goal to the left was taller than the one on the right. Maybe an optical illusion, or the pitch sloping, I wasn’t sure, but it simply didn’t look right. It wasn’t alcohol playing a part, of that much I was certain. 

In the early stages, it quickly became apparent that the pitch was in awful condition, with bumps all over it making control difficult. That wasn’t to say that some of the players on display couldn’t be to blame as well, as what materialised was a quite frankly shocking game of football, yet entertaining at the same time, if that makes sense.

Referee Rutratchapoom Moolpong played his part in this, as in the first half an hour, he hardly gave a foul. Players were lying down injured as he simply waved play on, leaving anyone in little doubt that he wasn’t going to be fooled by those play acting. Sometimes he let things go too far. 

By the time he signalled for the drinks break after thirty minutes, Warin looked alright going forward but hadn’t forced the VU goalkeeper, Phumin Prokkaew, into a save. Home forward Winai Jarukan seemed to know what he wanted to do in terms of chesting the ball down and retaining possession without knowing how.

The University side had gone ahead after nineteen minutes. Their left-sided defender Chayathat Thupmongkhon tried a speculative shot from thirty yards, which caught goalie, Pattarawut Saengsanoh, off his line and out of position and went into the top corner of the net.

VU came close to doubling the lead shortly after. A low cross flashed across the six-yard line, but there was no away team forward able to get on the end of it. They then decided that they would hang on to what they had, to the frustration of the home team players and supporters.

The ref completely changed tack after the restart before halftime as he blew his whistle so regularly, I was half expecting him to play the national anthem on it. Once the teams went down the tunnel, a free raffle was held to win team shirts, another nice touch. 

Play got worse, if anything, after the restart, as dark clouds began to build in the distance, with occasional flashes of lightning. VU were using all the dark arts they could think of to keep the hosts at bay, putting in a desperate display trying to please their coach Therdtoon Kahkai.

Home coach, Jirayoo Suwandee was apoplectic at the performance of the officials as his team still failed to have a meaningful shot on target despite having plenty of the ball and putting on pressure. One had to admire the doggedness of the Vongchavalitkul rearguard. 

Warin defender Chakrit Champasrl lost his rag and got booked for an X-rated foul on Adison Budken, who in turn had been fouling his way through the second half. He hobbled off in agony to be replaced by Chatchawan Chonphakdi, much to our delight in the stands.

The robust defender kicked whatever was near him in the direction he was facing, much in the same way as the last time we had watched him. A player of no discernible talent, but someone committed to the cause, he refused to waver, much like many Sunday League players back home. 

Warin mounted a couple of attacks and added pressure in the box, but the VU rearguard put their collective bodies on the line and stood firm until full-time, much to the delight of the trio sitting behind us. A terrible game of football, but enjoyable in its own way.

We stopped a couple of times on the way back towards home so that I could grab some groceries, since our car was at the repair shop. A good day out.

at UBRU Stadium

Warin Chamrap 0 Sisaket City 1

Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast - Saturday 16th May 2026 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 789 🎟️ Free

A cracking local derby in the fourth tier of Thai football, with both sides giving everything in a blood-and-thunder encounter that was excellently refereed. The occasion was handled superbly by Warin at the UBRU Stadium in Ubon Ratchathani city centre.

A win was vital if either team wanted to continue their hopes of lifting the title to gain promotion to Thai League 3, while a runners-up berth may suffice. The game was decided by another brilliant goal from Sisaket’s star player, Wanattanan Jhantasorn, with a shot from outside the box.

There was little to choose between the sides, with City perhaps looking slightly more threatening on the break. Their defence was resilient, keeping Warin to a few half-chances, with goalie Peerapath A-Sarast putting in some wonderful acrobatic dives for the cameras.

Free admission and a passionate crowd, including the smart use of a megaphone on the far side, alerting that an ambulance was required for someone taken ill. All licensed football in Thailand must have an ambulance on site. Light years ahead of certain other countries.

A fine day all round, with my wife dropping me in Kanthararom to meet with my pal John. 9 holes of golf at a military course in Ubon provided better value than the performance we put in. A beer and food at Pepper’s American Diner, then a stop at Wrong Way Café for more libation, which was topped up at the stadium. Home for the bore that was the FA Cup Final.