Vichupa Football Field is a football venue, primarily located on Soi Ram Intra 46/1, which has five full sized pitches, with another smaller pitch for training and age group football. Teams rent the venue to play for a full season in their respective competitions.
It is also booked for singular needs as a neutral venue for other local football, such as the Bangkok Premier League or Thonburi League. Or sometimes for one off recreational football or staging the matches of professional youth sides.
All the pitches have high netting surrounding them to prevent footballs from disappearing into the wilds or adjoining houses. There are changing facilities provided and each pitch has its own set of floodlights. In all, an excellent set of facilities.
My visits
V 5
Minburi City 3 Pivo V Revolution 0 (Wednesday 19th January) Friendly (att: c25)
An account of my first venture can be read here, for a midweek game under the lights down the road on Soi Amon Wiwat.
V 5
SG FC 0 FC Bangsaotong 0 (Sunday 6th March 2022) Bangkok Premier League Division 2 (att: c15)
Siam FC 3 Kasem Bundit University 0 (Sunday 12th February 2023) Thonburi League Champions League semi-final (att: c15)
My football adventures were less intense in 2023, usually meaning that I headed to one game a week and looked forward to it, rather than packing in some games when on reflection it had sometimes been a box-ticking exercise.
However, I still loved visiting new venues whenever possible. Muang Thong United v Buriram United was undoubtedly the best game in Bangkok all weekend, but a 7pm Sunday kick-off and then the scramble to try and find a taxi deterred me from heading that way.
It was time for me to revisit some local stuff, with a choice of two matches. Linping, formerly AC Tuttocuoio, against Nonthaburi City at Airport Stadium, was one, but the other with jeopardy involved at a venue I’d yet to see a game at won the day, but only just.
I was tired. Life was fantastic and every day was bringing joy, but along with it lots of mind and sometimes leg work. The temperatures were rising, leading to walking being a more exhausting hobby. And I’d had a fantastic Saturday with my beautiful lady looking after two friends from Hull.
Another attraction of my selected match was it ignited the excitement of a bus route I’d yet to try and see what I would experience along the way. All was good, apart from the bus didn’t want to appear, meaning that I was close at one stage to reverting to the other game option.
I headed to 7/11 to break a large note, as I realised that I could still go to my first choice, but by taxi. As I came out of the shop, I was greeted with the sight of the lovely air-conditioned bus coming in my direction. There was just enough time to cross the road and frantically wave my arms.
Despite being fifty metres short of the stop, the driver saw my predicament, flashed his lights, and came right up to me. What a good man. The journey was indeed interesting, as we went past a previously undiscovered craft beer bar before I alighted from my 20 Baht ride.
It was a further fifteen minutes amble to the venue, where panic set in on arrival, as no teams were warming up on the show pitch. In the distance, I could see a chap saving shots, and sure enough, the game was being played on V3 pitch, which could well have been the usual home ground of Siam FC.
While not ideal, with spectator facilities not freely available, both covered canopies with seating were being taken up by either side and their close allies. Neutrals weren’t really considered. I sat in the semi-shadow of a floodlight pylon, which worked out perfectly.
It was a sweltering afternoon, the sort you would take shelter from in the shade if watching cricket. Yet, the academy sides of the two professional teams would do battle in temperatures well into the thirties for a place in their league final on a pitch not too long in length.
The playing surface was immaculate, which allowed for a fast-flowing game, between two sides that I’d enjoyed watching over the previous few months. It was the team of the university that was on top in the early exchanges, as their 23 was clean through but dragged wide from a great position.
At the other end, the Siam 19 showed great footwork to round the Bundit keeper but put wide with the goal gaping. At this point, I should mention the intervention of who I adjudged to be the man of the match.
The sound of the bell being rung by a fella on a motorcycle with a small frame attached was music to my ears. I thought that 40 Baht for a tub of ice cream was a little on the expensive side, but it was plentiful, cold, and beautiful. In hindsight, I’d have given him a one hundred Baht.
The weather was too much for the players as well, with the referee sensibly splitting each half into three-thirds to allow for lots of water to be taken onboard. Once refreshed Siam’s 19 was soon back in the thrust of the action.
He had an effort saved by the feet of the Kasem keeper after he beat the offside trap, although I wasn’t so sure myself. One thing I was sure of, was I wasn’t going to volunteer to run the line. Any mistakes by the far-side linesman were totally acceptable.
19 was at it again, once again springing the trap, but this time firing over. However, he was not to be denied as he scored from close range just past the half-hour mark after 20 rolled square to him. The scorer looked too embarrassed to celebrate, acknowledging his earlier misses.
He would go on to complete his hattrick before the interval, with two more predatory finishes before both sides earned a fully deserved few minutes to recover. I could have done with some water myself, though I was fortunate that the shadows were growing.
After the interval, the students in bright orange came out with the bit between their teeth and threatened to force a comeback. 23 saw an effort scrambled off the line, and then the player wearing 88 in the Siam goal saved a shot from the same Bundit attacker.
The pressure continued as 10 saw his effort go narrowly over the bar. There was more intensity in the second period, with the university side getting stuck in, leading to several feisty exchanges, which I’m not totally convinced the referee handled too well.
Siam defended resolutely and then began to look dangerous on the break. The Bundit keeper pulled off a fine double save in the closing stages, and I decided to walk around ready to make my escape after seeing my app indicate that my bus had departed Minburi.
My Yorkshire upbringing was about to kick in and I was immensely proud of myself. The 197 bus route has some new air-conditioned vehicles and cost passengers 20 Baht a ride, like the one I caught to go to the match.
Old ones, with wooden floors, are 8 Baht with the windows down to create cool air. On this occasion, the posh one arrived one minute ahead of the other. I saved myself 12 Baht. Why spend more, has always been my motto and I wasn’t going to change now.
The thriftiness continued as I used a discount KFC voucher for our tea, some of which we gave to a neighbour, which is one of the reasons I love Thailand. Like England of old with a community spirit.
A wonderful day when all said and done, after I’d earlier shown my lovely lady how to make spaghetti Bolognese, and we relaxed for the evening over a few drinks while I watched a few classic Only Fools and Horses and the Leeds United v Manchester United game. A Super Sunday indeed.
Samut Prakan FC is a professional football club representing the city of the same name to the Thai capital of Bangkok. Formed in 2007, they should not be confused with Samut Prakan City FC who also share Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium.
‘The Fortress’ started out life playing at the Royal Thai Naval Academy Football Field in Thailand League Division 2, finishing fifth. A move to Sit Chaiyasam Football Field followed, with the team again ending fifth in Group A after the division was split after expansion.
Further Thai League growth saw the club placed in Division 2 Central & Eastern Region in 2009, which was one of five third tier regional divisions. Playing the season at Huachiew Chalermprakiet University Stadium and 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Bang Mod, the team ended top of the table.
Samut Prakan qualified for the Champions League promotion play-offs. Missing out on promotion by one point in the round robin group. A runners-up berth in 2010 also led to play-off football but once again the team failed to go up a notch.
The season had seen home games played at Customs Department Stadium before a move to what would become their permanent base at Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium prior to a return to the renamed Lad Krabang 54 Stadium.
The lack of stability wasn’t helping on the pitch performance as Samut Prakan finished in the lower reaches of the Central-East section of the third level for four years on the bounce, with their best effort being ninth in 2011 and 2014.
The period saw a further nomadic existence as the club became tenants at the remote venues of the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Min Buri and Samut Prakarn Province Stadium. The theme of being away from the population continued in the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the club being based at Lam Fah Pha Subdistrict Municipality Stadium.
At least the team in blue and white improved their performance with a third-placed finish in 2015. The division became called Eastern Region twelve months later, with Prakan ending in seventh spot as the club moved into Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium.
Further club expansion saw a restructuring for the 2017 campaign as the club was placed in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region of Thai League 4. The goals of Phakpoom Malirungruang and Gabriel Mintah propelled Fortress to second in the table. JL Chiangmai United ended any hopes of promotion in the play-offs.
The 2021-22 season saw the team come perilously close to being relegated, staying up by a better goal difference than Grakcu Sai Mai United. The goals of Kazuo Honma and Nicolás Gabriel Vidal were a key factor for the side led by head coach Kornphop Sapsin after he had earlier replaced Hiroki Ono.
A link-up with BG Pathum United in 2022-23 saw Danny
Invincible cut his teeth as a head coach with players being loaned, leading to a
seventh-place finish being achieved as Pakkapol Maimard scored regularly. Jirawat
Lainananukul was out in charge of team affairs at the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
Luan Borges top scored as the side finished just above
the relegation place. This led to the appointment of a new head coach Nontaporn
Yongant after the club had been moved into Thai League 3 East for 2024-25.
Samut Prakan FC will play in Thai League 3 East in the 2024-25 season.
My visit
Samut Prakan 1 Kasem Bundit University 1 (Sunday 23rd January 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok (att: 150)
Despite imaginary men pulling barbed wire through my head between the ears I summoned up the energy to go by the same route as the day before. Namely, three buses joining together; the 27, 145 and 133.
It was a pleasant day for football watching as I arrived at a more sensible time on this occasion. Going into the home section was also pleasant, not that the facilities were too different aside from a roof to shelter me from the sun in the main stand.
Initially, I was struggling to work out where to pay my 80 Baht admission fee and enter, such were the number of stewards and confused spectators hanging around. Thailand and its citizens were still being extremely cautious as it gradually recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.
With a low crowd it was possible to bag an excellent vantage point, a few rows up from where a fan appeared to be a one-man souvenir shop, knocking out Samut Prakan shirts. The locals seemed a pleasant enough bunch.
I guess they were a durable bunch, having had Osatspa and then the former Pattaya United dumped on their patch and sweeping up possible fans. But at the end of the day, they were the genuine item representing the city.
In the opening exchanges, the Brazilian Ranieri Luiz Barbosa for the visitors from Rom Klao went on a fine run and was only denied by home goalie Chanakiat Nimma. However, five minutes in the university side went 1-0 ahead through the same forward with a powerful shot.
Nimma did his best to keep out the effort, but the power was too much for him to handle. Barbosa looked the standout player on the pitch and his superb ball put in Pitsanu Punriboon to score after he ran from deep to beat the offside trap and get a clear run through on goal.
Home skipper Jirawat Boonmak was doing his best but often failing to keep Barbosa quiet. Another fantastic piece of skill from the visitor saw him drag the ball back to Sivakorn Majitt who fired over when well placed.
The Fortress were being cheered on by a special Brigade of fans over the far side stood on ladders and raised platforms to gain free viewing. Their heroes halved the deficit four minutes from the break when a shot from Tilawas Thanomnaew was helped in by Nipat Ruaisanthia despite the best efforts of Kasem keeper Chitchana Tuksinpila.
During the interval, I decided to have a walk around the back of the goal to get a better photo of the main stand. I was spotted by the Brigade who offered me a warm welcome and some of their whisky. I was too rough to accept.
On the restart, Boonmak saw his half-volley punched away by Tuksinpila. The gent in front of me was doing a good trade with his shirt selling. The club seemed to have a proper love and community feel to it.
The battle between Boonmak and Tuksinpila continued, as the custodian tipped over his long-range free kick. The Kasembundit defence was putting in a proper shift, with diligence and bravery as they threw their bodies on the line.
The pressure mounted as the home side looked to grab an equaliser and a valuable point in their fight against relegation. The introduction of skillful substitute Natthapat Wongsensuk along with Yushi Kawaguchi helped their cause.
Wongsensuk set up fellow sub Apisit Pangsuk who brought out the best in Tuksinpila. Bundit continued to weather the storm as the pressure gradually abated. The hosts deserved a point for their fightback, but it was not to be.
At full time I had a stroll as my condition continued to improve. Wandering up to Sukjai Park @ Bang Sao Thong I caught the first bus back to repeat my outward journey. It was an early night for me when I returned to Minburi to recover after a decent couple of games within a few hours in Samut Prakan.
Kasem Bundit University FC is a football club based on the Rom Klao University campus of the same name in the Bangkok district of Minburi. The football club was formed in 2003, playing in university football before joining the newly created third-tier Regional League in 2009.
‘The Intellectual Light’ were placed in the Bangkok Region, one of five geographical leagues at that level, finishing their debut season at Kasem Bundit University Stadium in the runners-up position.
An eighth place finish in 2010, followed by a couple of campaigns at the bottom end of the table. Kasem Bundit spent some time during this period playing their home games at 72nd Anniversary Stadium and KMIT Stadium in nearby Ladkrabang.
After their return to Rom Klao, KBU improved to seventh place in 2013, before another disappointing season followed it. 2015 saw the team end up in fifth place, before a fourth-place finish in the 2016 season while competing in Bangkok & Eastern Region.
The Thai football league system underwent a change for the 2017 season, with a fourth tier being added. Kasem Bundit were placed in the third level, playing in Thai League 3 Lower Region.
Ghanaian striker Victor Painsil finished as top scorer, as KBU finished in eleventh position under the management of Tawit Klaitin, while the American, Diego Barrera netted a hat trick in the game against Rajpracha.
The 2018 campaign saw Kasem Bundit end in eleventh position as the Brazilian Alaan Bruno De Souza E Santos topping the scoring chart. A slight improvement to eighth place with Selwan Al Jaberi knocking in the goals occurred in 2019 under coach Aphirak Sriarun
Brazilian Carlos Damian topped the scoring charts in 2020-21 as Kasem Bundit ended in seventh in Thai League 3 Bangkok Metropolitan Region following a restructuring of the nation's football pyramid.
The 2021-22 campaign saw the team play home games behind closed doors owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Goalkeeper Chitchana Tuksinpila played a significant role as his team finished in fifth position.
The 2022-23 season saw the long-term coach Sriarun being replaced by Krit Singprecha. Prasert Pattiwan ended as the top scorer for the team that ended in sixth place while the university also fielded a side in the Thonburi League and in academic competitions.
2023-24 saw the team improve their finishing league position by one place with Nigerian striker Thomas Chinonso putting away the goals. The whole club had an upgrade with a new logo being introduced along with a stadium refurbishment which saw it being referred to as Estádio Kasem in some circles.
The club was moved to Thai League 3 Central for the 2024-25 campaign following the geographical restructuring of the tier.
Kasem Bundit University FC will play in Thai League 3 Central in the 2024-25 season.
My visits
Kasem Bundit University 0 Trang 1 (Sunday 17th June 2018) Thai League 3 Lower Region (att: 150)
My two week holiday to Thailand was nearing the half way mark. For the first time in my many years of visiting the Land of Smiles, I had no cricket commitments. The holiday was all about visiting new places, socialising and watching football.
Everything had run exactly to plan, much to my delight and slight surprise. I took the 9am flight from Buriram, where I’d watched the reigning Thai champions go down to Chainat the night before and took a cab from Don Muang to Minburi.
After a bite to eat, nap and catch up with Steve and Fah I was ready for an afternoon and evening of football. The match at Kasem Bundit was to be doubled up with the top flight clash in Pathum Thani between Bangkok Glass and Navy.
Sean and Tracy arrived at Steve’s house. It was great to see my friends from Scarborough once again. Sean was going to go to the games with me, with Steve just taking in the local match.
It was another warm and bright day as we walked to hail a taxi on Soi Sam Wa. The journey took only ten minutes. Kasem Bundit were the closest team to the centre of Minburi. Our driver took us right through the campus to the small stadium.
Identical raised covered stands flanked both touchlines, with the entrance side structure having a small VIP section in the centre. Both ends were open and without spectator accommodation. It was a neat and tidy venue and the ideal size.
Admission was 80 Baht (around £1.80) and we took up a position towards the halfway line on the back row of the deep steps that doubled up as seating. The smattering of visiting fans were gathered on the other side of the VIP area further along.
The three of us all had a score prediction. Trang were towards the top of the table before kick-off while the hosts were languishing towards the bottom. My two pals went for an away win, while I thought we’d see a 1-1 draw.
The match started off fairly evenly. The first real action took place after fifteen minutes when a low cross from the visitors was scrambled by Kittin Uttsan in the KBU goal. The ball was skied over the bar from close range.
Just before the half-hour mark, Trang missed a golden opportunity to take the lead as the Brazilian Ricardinho somehow missed an absolute sitter when set up at the back post before he fired in a long range free kick which produced a save from Uttsan.
The custodian made rather a lot of the stop as if the Thai Match of the Day cameras were in evidence as the halftime whistle approached. Phumniwa Thuha, his counterpart at the other end received treatment after a slight collision from a set piece.
Trang eventually went ahead in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. A free kick wasn’t cleared properly, with the ball falling to Eakartit Somjit who fired home in fine style.
At the break, I went for a walk, in search of refreshments. Unusually there were no street stalls outside the ground, as was the norm at most venues. I was pointed in the direction of a small shop selling a variety of items catering to those staying on campus.
I returned with water for my pals and some crisps to share as the hosts nearly drew level ten minutes after the restart. Substitute Sanou Oumar went on a fantastic run to tee up Bruno, KBU’s Brazilian, who blazed over the bar.
Chances were at a premium. Kasem Bundit were giving it their best, but in truth, the Trang defence was in relative control. They attempted to ply some pressure but were missing the cutting edge.
The visitors came close to doubling their lead, but Tetsuro Inoue headed straight at keeper Uttsan, who pulled off a decent stop. As the game entered its closing stages my mind was concentrating on the issue ahead.
We needed to find a taxi that would take us the twenty miles or so to Leo Stadium in an hour to arrive for the 7pm kick-off. Steve was teasing me as usual, saying I’d no chance or I’d end up getting lost.
We saw the last few minutes of the game near the gate before trying to flag down a cab coming around the back of the stand. However, he was picking someone up. Another driver waved us away.
I must admit to getting a little concerned as no further taxis were coming down the drive. I ushered my pals along who didn’t seem quite as concerned. That or they were winding me up!
When we reached the main road by the entrance the first driver agreed immediately. He even dropped Steve off at the bottom of Soi Sam Wa, not that he deserved it! Sean and I went on to arrive at Glass just in time for kick-off, as a grand day out continued.
Kasem Bundit University 1 Bangkapi FC 1 (Sunday 17th July 2020) Thonburi League East Zone (att: c100)
The second week of the Thonburi League offered an opportunity to return to the venue. It had been closed to spectators during the Thai League season owing to Covid-19, with Kasem Bundit playing home games behind closed doors.
Steve managed to finish duties early enough so we could get to the 3pm kick-off, though not without a slight hitch in communications. I headed to find Family Mart on Sam Wa Road to meet my mate. However, the sign was no longer above the shop.
Consequently, I walked halfway down the road before giving him a call. He’d gone past on his motorbike on the other side and was now ordering some grub in KFC. No matter, as we were soon reunited and heading down Rom Klao Road in a taxi.
As ever Bangkapi had a few supporters in tow. They went to the stand opposite the main side. The pair of us sat in near enough the same position as our previous visit on what was a hot afternoon.
The weather didn’t do anything to stifle the action, as the game was of high intensity from the get-go. Bangkapi played some nice passes, which in the main tried to pick out the pacy forward in the number 29 shirt.
He was close to getting on the end of a couple of through balls, that were slightly overhit. However, one delivery on twenty-five minutes saw him push the ball past the keeper before being upended unceremoniously by the custodian.
It was a clear-cut penalty and surely a card of sorts to the offender. We were astonished that the referee decided that the award was punishment enough. The members of the away side bench were not massively impressed either.
The visiting side skipper, wearing the 6 jersey, coolly dispatched to make it 0-1. We thought we’d witness an easy Bangkapi win at this point, as they continued to take the initiative and create problems for the young student side.
KBU’s keeper made a top save to deny the scorer of the earlier penalty when diving to stop a curling free kick. By now the hosts decided to get stuck into their opponents as the ref began to pay the price for not cautioning the home goalie when he should have.
He began to show yellow cards for lesser offences and generally became inconsistent while trying to restore discipline. The tactic seemed to fire up the students as they began to get back into the game.
A fine break could easily have ended in a goal but for a terrible pass missing a free man by a long way. They did equalize when awarded a free kick, which was getting on for thirty yards from goal. Bundit’s skipper, the number 12 put in a fantastic bending effort into the top corner.
At the interval, we headed off for water in the excellent onsite store across behind the stand. We marvelled at some of the facilities on offer to the scholars. Certainly, a little different from the schooldays back in Scarborough we earlier reminisced about.
The home team in blue continued to impress upon the restart. It was an excellent advert in general for local amateur football. A fine Bundit move saw a low cross come close to being converted at the near post.
After that, the passion or pace never gave in. nor did the referee issue cards, but neither side caused the keepers any real distress. Efforts on goal were limited to weak shots from the edge of the box that were saved comfortably.
A draw was undoubtedly a fair result. We headed out back down the lane, past even more incredible facilities before boarding a songthaew back to Minburi Market. I grabbed some food and headed home for ODI cricket and the British Open golf on TV.
Kasem Bundit 3 Thaispirit 0 (Sunday 31st July 2022) Thonburi League East Zone (att: c80)
Another opportunity for Steve and me to pop round the corner to the local university and we were happy we did. Before arrival, I most certainly had Spirit down as favourites, but the hosts showed my local football knowledge was not quite as good as I thought.
Bundit showed their intentions from the start with both number 8 and 9 having the chance to advance on the visitor’s goal, but both stopped in their tracks through a lack of pace and looking to set up teammates which came to nothing.
Spirit looked good on the break before the hosts deservedly took the lead on thirty-five minutes when 9 got free out wide. His low cross was volleyed in low at the back post by number 10.
The students continued to impress and were opening up the Spirit defence at will. At the break, we wandered across to the shops before returning to our seats with provisions. The away side nearly drew level shortly after the restart.
A low shot from an indirect free kick hit the foot of the Kasem post. The home side 49 saw a header from the corner that drew a great save from the Spirit keeper. The 23 headed wide and then 9 dragged a shot across goal as the pressure mounted.
The Spirit keeper made a massive error when fumbling a free kick from 12, which was pounced upon by 23 to score. The impressive performance was backed up when the lead was extended as 12 got through to set up 23 to score at the near post.
Bundit were superb throughout and thoroughly merited their victory. Spirit continued to the end and drew a save out of the home goalie who tipped over. During the closing stages, we were treated to an amazing storm building over Minburi.
We were fearing the worst as the clouds and lightning advanced on us. Typically, the heavens began to open right on full-time as we walked back to the main road. Fortunately, a songthaew soon arrived on Rom Klao to take us back towards home.
Kasem Bundit University 5 Bangkok FC 3 (Saturday 8th October 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: 150)
Occasionally you leave the ground shaking your head with a big smile, and this was one of those days. What a game of football. I was already in a good mood on arrival after a pleasant walk to the ground from home.
After paying my 80 Baht I got a good seat chatting to a local man who could speak a bit of English once we had a sad minute of silence for the poor kids massacred in Nong Bua province earlier in the week.
The pitch was scarred in places through the heavy rainfall in previous weeks and overuse. It was good to see the hosts take the field with a Thai starting eleven. The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when Bruno Suzuki received a slide rule pass and scored off the legs of keeper Chitchana Tuksinpila.
The scorer missed a great chance to double the advantage, slicing wide. KBU responded when Anipong Kijkam made a good stop to keep out a downward header from Attaphon Kannoo, who was to feature throughout the contest.
Bunlue Thongkliang had a stinging shot for Bangkok saved by Tuksinpila before a drinks break was called in the heat by referee Jatupol Kidklang as the pitch was starting to cut up in places, which would add to the ensuing drama.
Just as a large group of away fans arrived their side went 2-0 up on thirty-four minutes through a low shot at the near post from Thongkliang. Poor defending allowed Ronnarid Saichantuek to get an effort away for Kasem which was saved.
The attendance consisted of mainly students. I saw a couple wearing Buriram United E-Sports shirts, a phenomenon I failed to grasp. The host's sloppiness in possession was pounced upon with the last action of the half when Goshi Okubo made it 3-0. That was surely that?
Having seen Bangkok a few weeks earlier I knew that they were a good side but also susceptible at the back. However, I wasn’t ready for what was about to follow. Whatever manager Vallop Suwandee said to the Bundit players at the break I don’t know, but it worked.
But only after the away side missed a guilt-edged chance to extend their lead further. Both Thongkliang and the excellent Padungsak Phothinak seemed to be in on goal but somehow the defenders got back to scramble clear. How the Fire Bulls were to pay for the missed opportunity.
Bundit rallied with Prasert Pattawin drawing a save out of Kijkam before they grabbed a goal back on fifty minutes when a low shot from skipper Chaiyasan Homboon was too hard for the custodian to keep out.
The home fans started to see a chink of light and got behind their side. Homboon made it 2-3 eight minutes later with a superb bending free-kick into the top corner. All hell broke loose a minute later when a low cross-shot was put into his own net by Banjong Phadungpattanodom.
3-3 with half an hour to play as the hosts piled forward with Kannoo a real nuisance for the hosts. A couple of times he rattled into Kijkam who in truth didn’t look up for it despite keeping out a header from the forward.
The momentum had swung around completely with home sub, Sundy Wongderree nearly lobbing the out of position Kijkam from deep. The inevitable happened with three minutes of normal time remaining when a cross took a ricochet in the box and landed at the feet of Kannoo who made no mistake to put his team ahead.
Shortly after the warrior was carried off suffering from cramp and nearly dropped from the stretcher by the youngsters carrying him on the muddy surface. In stoppage time Supakrit Petpon found himself unmarked to volley in at the back post to round off an amazing game.
Wandering away for a songthaew back to Minburi an English fella spotted my Hull City shirt. He was from Leominster and was a friend of Jarrod Bowen. What a small world. It was his first Thai game and was on holiday, and certainly bewildered by what he had seen as a Chelsea season ticket holder.
We had a good chat as I put him right on the quickest way back to the city. He had somehow persuaded a motorbike taxi to take him to the game! I bet he won’t forget his experience in a hurry either. A great afternoon.
Kasem Bundit University 0 Royal Thai Army 2 (Saturday 22nd October 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: c140)
A quick return for Rom Klao but unfortunately it was average fare compared to my previous visit. Army in a camouflage shade of dark green deservedly took the points with an army-style performance full of fitness and discipline.
They went close in the early stages when Narongsak Saekaw saw his shot deflected wide prior to a dipping effort from Tanapon Sintan being required to be tipped over the bar by home custodian Natthawut Tharapon.
Home forward Kannoo wasn’t getting the same joy against Bangkok and was well marshalled. The visitors took the lead with a fine shot from the edge of the box that flew into the roof of the next from the left boot of Surat Suriyachai seven minutes before the interval.
The soldiers carried on with their dominance as attacking midfielder Niphon Kamthong just failed to convert on the stretch before a free kick from Pinijphong Jaengploy hit the side netting of the Bundit goal.
After half time the students came desperately close to an equaliser with veteran defender Chatchai Mokkasem heading a shot from substitute Muhammadtaofik Disa-Eh off the line. Kamthong then came close to doubling the lead at the other end with an effort from outside the box.
The homesters continued pressing for parity but were failing to create many clear-cut chances. Tharapon made a terrific fingertip save pushing a allow shot from Atikan Kaokaew around the post to keep his team in the game.
However, he was powerless six minutes from time to prevent Sattra Pokhom from smashing home after tremendous work in the corner from Apirak Dawrueng who beat his man before pulling a pinpoint pass into the box.
A highlight for me was the extravagant signalling and awarding of yellow cards by referee Kittipong Choolerd. He was completely over the top and not particularly brilliant. In the final action, Pattawin forced a save out of Army goalie Kittitat Jeennok, after which I headed home to watch England defeat Bangladesh in the World Cup T20 cricket.
Kasem Bundit University 0 North Bangkok University 0 (Wednesday 30th November 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Permiter (att: 150)
I’m not sure what it is about North Bangkok University, but I couldn’t get a decent game out of them. This was the third consecutive 0-0 draw I had seen them part of. Their defensive coach should be a proud man.
A Wednesday afternoon fixture was a bit of a bonus, and again gave me the opportunity of some exercise, while I sat in my usual place in the stand. I could write about the nice surroundings and the effort that both sides put in.
But in truth, this was a really hard game to watch as nothing really happened. Defences remained on top, with chances at a premium. The one highlight, was a straight red card shown to Teerapong Malai of the visitors in the ninety-fifth minute.
Perhaps he fancied getting to the showers first? That said, I’m glad I made the effort as it was still a far better option than staying indoors.
Kasem Bundit University 3 Samut Prakan 2 (Sunday 8th January 2023) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: c250)
Now this was much more like it. Steve accompanied me via taxi to the match. My pal was shocked to have to pay 80 Baht, as matches at the stadium in the Thonburi League were free admission, but he soon noticed the difference in quality.
We were treated to a cracking encounter that was fast-paced from the off. Both sides looked to play football on what in recent matches had become an increasingly worn and difficult playing surface in patches.
The hosts were excellent going forward in the first half, yet despite this, the sides went down the tunnel at halftime with the scores blank. We didn’t have to wait long for the goals to start, with Bundit going ahead three minutes after the restart through Sundy Wongderree.
Rattasak Wiang-In doubled the advantage just past the hour mark, at which point it looked a case of how many the students would win by. However, with ten minutes remaining Prakan pulled one back through Jirayu Niamthaisong.
Kasem went straight up the other end and restored their two-goal advantage when defender Sontaya Thotam netted. Niamthaisong dragged his side back into it with a tremendous direct free kick into the top corner in the second of three additional added-on minutes.
The home team saw out the game, while we wandered out onto Rom Klao and discovered a new electronic bus service heading back to Minburi, where we visited the market before I headed to my new abode on Hathai Rat for tea.
Kasem Bundit University 0 Thammasat University 5 (Thursday 31st August 2023) University Freshy Cup (att: c250)
A comprehensive win for the team north of Bangkok in a competition being played by eight universities from around the capital over the course of a month. Both the neatly smarted up and retitled Estadio Kasem with a wonderful playing surface and Bangkok University Stadium staging all the matches.
Freshy would seem to be sponsors, rather than what I perceived to be the Thai derivation of Freshers. Pre-match I’d have made the hosts favourites, purely as they have a team in the third tier of Thai football as well as a top-flight women’s side. My knowledge was obviously not up to scratch, as many UK bookies will testify over the years.
Kasem were always likely to struggle. Their keeper was much smaller than everyone on the pitch. It would be decisive. The away team went ahead just before the half-hour mark when Narawit Phet Prakob finished off a fine passing move.
A low shot from outside the box from Nithikon Limpanawas saw the short arms of the goalie not getting anywhere close to the ball. In stoppage time Panuwit Kumarasit broke through, was too strong, and finished neatly.
At the interval, I managed to swap sides of the pitch for the first time. It added a new view and enabled me to see the excellent work that has been done to the middle area where the press and dignitaries sit, albeit from 50m. A project for art scholars perhaps?
After an hour a cross saw the tiny keeper have second thoughts when he saw the size of Thammasat’s Shinawatra Prachuabmon whose half-hearted scoop went over the custodian and just over the line. A low curling shot seventeen minutes from time from the same player rounded off the scoring.
The referee was very keen to show multiple yellow cards before turning down the most nailed-on penalty I have seen for a long time as his performance then went downhill, something the local youngsters weren’t slow in mentioning. One of them surely has a future career in stand-up, the way he harangued the official as everyone roared with laughter.
Thammasat changed keepers, as the one who stood there for most of the game might as well have been revising for exams, so little did he have to do. The new lad fumbled a free kick with his first touch, but the defender who tapped in the rebound was adjudged to be offside. Their number 8 then saw the keeper make a fine low save.
Enjoyable as ever, I took the forty-minute walk from Minburi Market, which included a stop by the Saen Saen Canal as I knew that testing was in operation for the hopefully soon to be opened MRT Pink Line monorail. I managed to put a short video together.
Home via a songthaew and bus, including me trying to use the Google translate camera on the front of vehicles to see their destinations with most written in the local language. It took me half an hour longer before arriving for my tea. All part of the fun of learning in a foreign land!
