Khon Kaen United

 

Khon Kaen United FC is a professional football club, representing the Isan city of the same name in northeast Thailand, who was formed on the 13th of October 1994, to set up competition to the longer established Khon Kaen FC.

The ‘King Cobras’ were awarded a place in the third tier Division 2 Northeast of the Thai League in 2015, under coach Thongchai Sukkoki. The side won the league title to progress to the Champions League round. A 4-1 victory against Rayong sealed promotion as Samuel Kwawu led the scoring chart.

However, things were not going to plan off the pitch for the side playing their home games at Khon Kaen Sports School Stadium. They were suspended during the 2016 Thai League 2 season, in which Dave Booth and then Ljubomir Ristovski had spells in charge of the team, with eight games remaining owing to a criminal enquiry.

By now United had moved into the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) Stadium to share with their city rivals. The FA of Thailand decided that United could rejoin their competition in 2018 as members of Thai League 4 North Eastern Region with Apichai Pholpitak installed as head coach.

Capistrano Jardel put away the goals as his side ended as runners-up and then reached the playoff final in the Champions League, which ended in an aggregate defeat to Nakhonpathom United, but promotion was still claimed to Thai League 3 Upper. By now, the club was starting to attract larger support in their home city.

Sarayuth Chaikamdee had been put in charge of the team before being later replaced by Patipat Robroo in 2019 as the T3 Upper title was won, thanks in part to the goals of Natan Oliveira. The league changed its calendar to that of European competition in time for the 2020-21 season.

Khon Kaen United appointed Sugao Kambe as coach before he was temporarily replaced by former boss Patipat. The side finished fourth as Paulo Conrado put away the chances. This was enough to reach the playoffs, where Phrae United and then Nakhonpathom United were defeated on aggregate after penalties.

This was during the period of Covid-19 restrictions meaning the games were played in empty stadiums before fans returned in 2021-22 as the team played in Thai League 1. The goals of Ibson Melo helped consolidate their status in a season that saw Carlos Eduardo Parreira coach the side. 

Pairoj Borwonwatanadilok replaced the Brazilian in November 2022 before Patipat returned for a third spell at the helm a few weeks later as the King Cobras avoided relegation by one place.

Ekalak Thong-am was the new coach from October 2023 before Tana Chanabut took charge of the team in April 2024. An improved eighth place ensued with Brenner top scoring. Srdan Trailovic arrived as the new team boss in September 2024. 

Khon Kaen United FC will play in Thai League 1 in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Khon Kaen United 0 Nakhonpathom United 0 (Friday 20^th September 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 2,246)

There are occasions when I head to a game and I am reminded of the time when I fell in love with football, when conditions were treacherous, but the match went on regardless, cheered on by passionate fans. This was one.

It is fair to say that neither side produced too much quality football on the waterlogged surface, which already had puddles when they kicked off, but they gave it everything they’d got. As often happens when both teams are desperate for points in what was an early relegation six pointer, it ended up all square. 

Taku Ito for the visitors forced Khon Kaen keeper Chirawat Wangthaphan to save with his feet in the only effort on target from either outfit in the first half. Conditions got worse as the rain increased after the break. Nakhonpathom under new head coach Sirisak Yodyatthai had a spell on top in the second half when they looked like they might claim all three points.

The ball stopped at times preventing a scoring opportunity while both keepers made saves within twenty seconds as the encounter became stretched. Valdo Eggres for the away side saw his effort parried away by Chirawat after a deflected cross from Phanuphong Phonsa had been clawed out by Wattanachai Strathongjan. 

Taku was then denied with twelve minutes remaining by a fine tip over from Chirawat, in what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter, quite possibly aided by the conditions. However, whoever had to wash the kits after the game could well have disagreed.

At the other end Wattanachai spilled a shot from Steve Ambri, then smothered the follow up from Parndecha Ngernprasert before Niphitpon hadchan saw his effort blocked as chaos reigned. Massive credit must be given to referee Natee Choosawun who used his common sense throughout. 

It was a fun packed day away from the match too, as my wife Taew drove us to the city where we stayed overnight at the Ingtara Hotel. We enjoyed a fine meal at a favourite chain restaurant which involved plenty of adventure trying to find a parking spot.

We met Dale and Nui at the rooftop bar as the weather began to close in before Grab took us to the stadium, where vendors were struggling in the weather, with a crowd nearly less than average turned out. We met Lyle, a regular contributor to A Thai Football Podcast, along with his wife and friends. 

Our ladies decided we were OK to go on the open terrace. The ticket a pricey 160 Baht, with drinks available once inside to take upstairs. The guys on drums and megaphone were giving it rock all to try and rouse the home support, with the away fans in the far distance behind the goal.

Taew won some kind of stuffed cushion come toy in the halftime draw. The ladies headed off to the far side to collect the prize not to be seen again. They used their common sense and stayed under the cover downstairs. 

Dale via a brolly and me in a poncho braved it out before we all adjourned to Yokotai Restaurant, where we’d enjoyed pre-match festivities before the Khon Kaen v Sisaket United game the previous year.

A live musician was very amiable, leading to an extremely long evening involving pool and karaoke. Our carriage took us away at 3am. It was a lot of fun. The next day saw myself and good lady appear late on parade.

My video of the fun in the rain

A wonderful khao man meal near the hotel set us up to travel to our friends house before continuing to Nongbua Pitchaya v Uthai Thani.  

Kasetsart FC

 

Kasetsart FC is a football club who represent Kasetsart University, which is located to the north of the centre of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The club were formed in 1988, playing against similar organisations.

The 2007 campaign saw the team located at the university's Kampaeng Saen campus in Nakhon Pathom before a move to Insee Chantarasatit Stadium back in Bangkok. In 2008 Kasetsart won the Khǒr Royal Cup and also won a place in the Regional League Division Two for the following season.

After a couple of seasons of disappointment, the 2011 campaign ended with 'The Emerald Nagas' finishing top of the Bangkok Area division. Sadly the play-offs ended in disaster, with the team faring badly on the pitch

It also saw and their home Insee Chantarasatit Stadium being badly damaged by the city's floods, with the team having to return for the 2012 season to the Nakhon Pathom campus. The campaign ended in agony as Kasetsart missed out on a play-off place on the final day.

After repairs were made, Kasetsart returned to their traditional home for the 2013 season. However, the club aimed high as the club embarked on a successful season as they reached the play-off rounds for promotion. 

They decided to build a new stand in readiness for the potential of Division One football. The team lost out and the stadium was not completed leading to Kasetsart taking a sabbatical from league action in 2014.

TOT Stadium. Kasetsart's home from 2017 to 2019

The team returned to the Regional League Bangkok Metropolitan Region in 2015, finishing the campaign in fourth position while returning to the Nakhon Pathom campus for the year. This was followed up by a runners-up slot in 2016, back in Bangkok.

Thai league football was restructured for the 2017 season. The club changed their title from Kasetsart University FC to Kasetsart FC and moved to the TOT Stadium a mile away in Chaeng Watthana as they were placed in the second tier Thai League 2.

Meanwhile, an academy was set up, which would provide players for the continued Kasetsart University amateur team. They would go on to compete in the Thailand Amateur League. In 2022 the Academy team finished second in Bangkok Group A.

Meanwhile, the Kasetsart FC team that eventually finished in thirteenth place was led by Yuthapong Boon-amporn until April 2017 when replaced by Chusak Sriphum. A third different coach; Adul Luekijna took over from August as Jonatan Ferreira Reis.

The 2018 campaign saw Kasetsart finish in an identical position as the previous season. Kayne Vincent was the top scorer under Brazilian coach Fernando who departed at the end of the season.

In 2019 the team attracted the second lowest attendances in the second tier as they weighed in with a twelfth place slot with Brazilian Alexandre Balotelli the marquee signing with both Somdet Hitates and Warit Boonsripitayanon having spells as coach.

Thai coach Paniphon Kerdyam was placed in charge of the team for the 2020-21 season with loan signing Ailton and Apiwit Samurmuen tucking away the goals. Further improvements saw a return to Insee Chantarasatit Stadium as Kasetsart finished fourteenth.

An improvement of just one place in 2021-22 saw the appointment of interim head coaches Itthipol Nonsiri and Sarawut Janthapan before the seasons end. Anuruck Srikerd took charge in the 2022-23 campaign as Mateus Totô led the scoring. The team escaped relegation on goal difference thanks to a final day win.

Srikerd was dismissed in September 2023 and replaced by Chusak Sriphum who was dismissed a few months later. His successor was Ekaphan Inthasen. His tenure saw a 10-1 mauling away to Nongbua Pitchaya in what was a disastrous season for the club.

Players were left unpaid with the Thai FA helping with payments as Kasetsart announced that they were resigning from the league. Pattaraphon Naprasert was put in charge of the side from March 2024 who finished third from bottom, before they were spared from relegation following Chiangmai FC being demoted for failing to meet license criteria.

Initially, Kasetsart waivered but then decided to accept their reprieve as new investors arrived at the club. Santi Chaiyaphuak was given the position of head coach as performances on the pitch improved.

Kasetsart FC will play in Thai League 2 in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Wednesday 27th March 2013

I awoke after a good night in Bangkok in the early part of my three weeks cricketing tour ready to visit some football stadiums. Planning while in the UK meant that I thought my task would be relatively easy. The sun was blazing down, with even the locals commenting on how hot it was.

A good lunch was a necessity as I had slept in through breakfast, so I wandered round to see my old mate Brian Walker at the Crossbar. Like many of my acquaintances, he shook his head when I told him my plans for the afternoon and evening. 

I realise everyone has their own hobbies, but I couldn't think of anything better than broadening my knowledge and seeing parts of a city that its inhabitants couldn't be bothered with.

Fully fed and watered I headed for the MRT subway to make the first leg of my journey a little easier. I took the train from Sukhumvit to Pahon Yothin, where I flagged down a taxi. Now I knew from experience that Bangkok taxi drivers could be very knowledgeable or next to useless, but I thought a self-explanatory map for a ride of no more than two miles would be easy enough. Alas, no.

My driver took me to what I knew was the wrong side of the main road heading out of town, but there was no getting through to him. He dropped me outside a huge corporate complex, where even the guards seemed to agree with him. I paid him up and looked for another cab.

Fortunately, my second driver spoke good English and knew immediately where the university was, and even better exactly how to get to the stadium once inside the campus. Sure enough within ten minutes, I was smiling with a group gathering behind the Main Stand before their away game later in the afternoon at Customs United.

I strolled inside to take a look. The pitch was surrounded by a shale running track and apart from the impressive raised and covered seated Main Stand, it was basic. A few wooden terraces were placed behind one goal when needed, but the rest of the arena was open. 

Railings separated the ground from the rest of the campus. Anyone would be able to look in when a match was on. Some students were losing weight by exercising at an open-air gym as they looked on.

I made my way through the entrance onto Thanon Ngam Wong Wan, using the pedestrian bridge to find the right side of the road for a taxi to my next destination at TOT.

Kasetsart 1 Khon Kaen United 2 (Wednesday 12th January 2022) League Cup First Round (att: 542) 

Football in the top two tiers had restarted after the mid-season international break and I was keen to see as much of it as possible. This League Cup tie stood out for me, with the chance of an upset and being a sensible midweek distance from home.

Some clubs do advance purchase tickets online, which are collected at certain 7/11 convenience stores. Kasertsart were one such club, so I decided despite warnings from seasoned expats to give it a whirl. 

It’s fair to say that my idea caused interest in the nearest store operating the system. There was a cheer when the four young eager members of staff eventually sussed it out and gave me my printout after about twenty minutes of trying. My ticket cost THB 100.

Kick-off was 6pm so I gave myself plenty of time having been stuck in teatime traffic in the past. I was actually ahead of time on the 26 bus, so I did some sightseeing and photography at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat temple.

Onward from there caught the light green BTS a few stops south to the Kasetsart University stop from where it was a twenty-minute walk through its impressive grounds to Insee Chantarasatit Stadium, while sadly failing to locate the student union bar!

For anyone wishing to point out the tongue-in-cheek comment. Alcohol and its advertising are prohibited inside Thai educational sites. Instead, I made use of the onsite 7/11 for some pop and nibbles.

 

Like several work or educational-based clubs, locals also came to watch what was a good evening cup tie. I usually find that floodlights help the spectacle. Several eager folk were using the free exercise machines and some kind of non-contact martial art class was going on.

I’d got myself a good spot in the large stand that had been erected since my previous visit, facing across to the structure hosting the players, TV cameras and officials. I sat and couldn’t quite believe the updates as Port FC slid out to third-tier Muang Loei United on penalties. 

The crowd were remarkably silent early on as we watched a cagey opening. Nigerian frontman Raphael Success looked likely up front for the hosts as he shot narrowly over from a tight angle with Khon Kaen’s Brazilian midfielder Douglas Cobo showing signs of experience.

The attendance grew during the first period as people arrived from work. They were in time to see United take the lead with a cleverly constructed goal when a low cross was side footed home by Tanapol Srithong shortly before referee Winat Phophat blew his whistle for half-time. 

There was still time in between for Success to tee up Chakrit Wasprasertsuk who skewed his shot badly wide. I remained where I was at the break and spent it catching up on the other scores. Other entertainment was provided by the cheers of nearby volleyball players.

Muang Thong United were on the way to losing to lower opposition in Uthai Thani in their tie. I honestly couldn’t see Kasetsart beating their higher-division opponents who just seemed that bit more streetwise.

The shambles back home in the UK with Prime Minister’s Questions on my App while watching the game seemed to get me more fired up and into the game for some strange reason once the babbling and avoiding any questions had finished.

Kasetsart came out pushing for an equaliser with again Success causing the Khon Kaen defence problems with a great run. Sub, Apiwit Samurmuen failed with his attempt at the near post when fed.

 

A rasping left footed drive from Success beat United goalkeeper Chirawat Wangthaphan all ends up but came back off the inside of the post. Success then hit the same post with his right foot. He could not believe his bad luck as the game intensified and he was substituted with thirteen minutes remaining.

Surely that was the home side's chances over. Just what was head coach Panipol Kerdyam thinking of? He was vindicated a couple of minutes later when an earlier sub, Sukunchai Saengthopho scored with a low shot across the outstretched Wangthaphan. What did I know anyway! 

No further scoring meant extra time. Saengthopho set up a fellow substitute Simon Dia. Somehow the Frenchman managed to miss an open goal from the low cross. Then a prostate Samurmuen hit the post with a shot while swinging his leg as he lay on the ground.

Surely a goal was coming for the university-based club. The pressure continued as Kueanun Junumpai headed wide at the back post from a corner. In the second period of extra time, Khon Kaen’s Yashir Islame played a majestic ball out wide, before getting on the end of the return cross but headed wide.

 

I could see how Dia had missed his earlier sitter. He had bags of skill but was cumbersome and awkward. He went on a rampaging run but eventually lost control as he was about to pull the trigger. It summed up his cameo.

Junumpai was denied by Wangthaphan as a penalty shoot-out looked a certainty. However, there was a sting in the tail from the visitors as in the second of three minutes additional time a shot from Brazilian sub, Ibson Melo went in across goalie Thirawooth Sraunson off the far post. 

The away fans along from us celebrated along with their team. Kasetsart only had themselves to blame after wasting a plethora of chances. It had been a very enjoyable game which improved as it went on. I headed back through the campus to catch the number 26 back to Minburi.

Kasetsart University 5 Minburi City 0 (Friday 18th March 2022) Friendly (att: c40)

I’d ordered a couple of Minburi City shirts from the online store, one for my pal Steve, so I was delighted with the scheduling of this fixture so I could collect them. It was also a handy venue travel-wise as the number 26 bus dropped me opposite the gates to the campus.

The transport was much lighter than I anticipated, meaning I arrived just before 5pm. My earliness was also aided by a loony bus driver who went at breakneck speed. I nearly headed for the front window when needing the middle doors at my stop after he slammed all on.

I went in search of a bar or options to fill in some time. Sadly, the area around the University seemed still affected by the pandemic. Those establishments showing on Google Maps were not open.

Not to worry. I had a good walk and then grabbed some finger food and drinks from the onsite 7/11 before taking up a seat in the main stand of Insee Chantarasatit Stadium. A pleasant young lady came across and gave me my two shirts. Obviously, I had been the only foreigner to have made an order thus far! 

Kick-off was late, no doubt with players trying to make their way across Bangkok after work. Locals and students continued to jog around the track as the game got underway. Indeed, I had gained access to the stand through the same entrance as those exercising.

The scoreboard was in operation, but strangely showing highlights of previous Kasetsart FC matches. The team out on the pitch was the amateurs of the university along with its academy arm.

The home side's players had no numbers on their shirts, so please excuse the lack of names. Minburi had a big squad, including several goalkeepers, as they looked to trim their roster before the commencement of the Thailand Amateur League.

There was a bit of drizzle in the air with the sound of overhead planes and birds adding to the overall scene. It was a slow start to the game before the visitor’s number 23 showed skill before seeing his shot saved. 

Minburi’s custodian clattered a home player outside the box on fifteen minutes. The makeshift referee decided that a free kick was enough punishment. It appears that he had some sort of prophecy.

The resulting free kick was put in at the back post by an unmarked Kasetsart player to open the scoring. In an open game City's number 6 seemed to be reading the game well. However, he had a tendency to overplay and then be caught out of position.

 

The score was 2-0 on twenty-five minutes with a good strike going in at the near post after the scorer had been put in with a neat slide rule pass put in. It became 3-0 twelve minutes later. A through ball was slotted past the away team keeper from outside the box.

The teams gathered for drinks on the pitch at the interval. Kasetsart extended their lead further nine minutes after the restart. A university forward simply brushed aside a defender before firing home. Again, it was a case of extremely poor defending from the City outfit.

Twelve minutes from time it became 5-0 when an excellent quick one-two skipped through the threadbare defence before the move was finished. To add to Minburi’s woes, their number 11 was put through. He rounded the keeper but hit outside of the post with his effort on goal.

The better more organised side had deservedly won. It was nice to later receive a message of apology for the performance from the City media team the following morning. There was no need but it was a nice touch all the same from a classily run club.

Kasetsart University 1 KMUTNB 2 (Friday 7th June 2024) Chang U-Champion 2024 Group B (att: c60)

I was down in the capital for a week having taken a couple of the family grandmothers on their maiden flight and a chance to see Bangkok along with my wife, so a doubleheader offered an excellent opportunity to leave them to it on Friday afternoon while I got my football fix.

The competition, which I attended a game in the previous season, is for university and educational establishments, with twenty-four sides being put in three groups of eight for round-robin games with the top two in each plus the next best two sides going through to the quarter-final stages.

I took a van and then a ride on the Skytrain changing at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, reflecting on what a difference to the time and quality of travel the new Pink Line had made to the residents of Minburi. 

However, the walk through the campus was still the same distance, though the time I saved allowed me to take it casually and purchase snacks at 7/11 along the way. It was free admission, with an excellent view from the steep main stand where I met my mate and fellow Thai-based groundhopper Marco for the first game which started at 2pm.

Two free headers in the first game levelled up the scores in the first match. The standard was reasonable with several of those on show playing in T3 in the season that had recently ended. King Mongkul University of Technology North Bangkok to give the victors their full title, had to replace their keeper when they were one down owing to injury. 

The replacement stopper had a fine game making a string of excellent saves after the interval. By then their number 23 had controlled the ball excellently on the edge of the box and rifled into the corner of the net with what proved to be the winning goal.

It turned out that the game was a dead rubber, not that you'd have guessed judging by the commitment being put in as Kasetsart were thwarted time and again, while KMUTNB continued to look dangerous on the break. 

We were then granted a ten-minute intermission before the second game got underway.

RMUTT 0 Rajapruek University 6 (Friday 7th June 2024) Chang U-Champion 2024 Group B (att: c40)

This looked being a shocker with not too much going on in the first twenty minutes save some shocking attempts at goal from the more competent and fitter outfit. Rajapruek had lots more about them than their opponents the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. 

Their shortened title of RMUTT sounding like Mick Lynch should have been their team boss. The side was certainly on strike for large periods as Rajapreuk went down the tunnel at the break with a two-goal lead. 

At this point, I had to head off for a meal appointment with Thai family and friends that there was no way I was going to miss. My pal filled me in later on what had happened back at Kasetsart, commenting that he thought it was looking likely to be a starter for ten as far as the winning side was concerned, but they eased off in the closing stages.

I decided to head to Bang Khen and take the Red Line for a change, swapping to Pink at Lak Si and arriving early for my appointment despite walking the last twenty minutes. A very pleasant way to kill a few hours before becoming a tour organiser the following day to see the sights.