Ubon FC
Sponsored Name: Ubon Kruanapat
Ground: UBRU Stadium
Capacity: 2,000
Club Founded: 2009
League: Thai League 3 Northeast (current level)
Ubon Ratchathani, one of the biggest cities in Thailand's Isan region, offers huge potential to any football club wanting to reach the higher reaches of the league set up. Ubon FC aim to do just that.
Ubon FC Early Years
A move to Ubon Ratchathani University Stadium, south of the city, followed for the 2011 campaign. Christian Fokou scored the goals in a second successive poor season, before the club returned to its former home ground and changed its title to Ubon Rachathani FC. Not that it did much good as the Tigers finished bottom of the table.
League Improvement
A change of name this time to Ubon UMT followed. This should not be confused with the club of a similar name that later played in the top flight of Thai football. However, the influence of the UMT university saw the team finish third, thanks to the goals of David Srangnanaok.
The league title followed in 2014, which saw qualification for the playoffs which ended in disaappointment, as the wonderfully named Elvis Job scored the goalsObviously impressed with the potential on offer, UMT set up their own side in 2015 to enter the competition.
A change of name this time to Ubon UMT followed. This should not be confused with the club of a similar name that later played in the top flight of Thai football. However, the influence of the UMT university saw the team finish third, thanks to the goals of David Srangnanaok.
The league title followed in 2014, which saw qualification for the playoffs which ended in disaappointment, as the wonderfully named Elvis Job scored the goalsObviously impressed with the potential on offer, UMT set up their own side in 2015 to enter the competition.
A New Local Rival
This meant a change of name, back to Ubon Rachathani FC, playing second fiddle to their money-laden neighbours and finishing down the table with Kim Ji Hun banging in the goals. Bouba Abbo became the next goalscoring hero for the fans, as he and his side ended as runners-up in 2016.
Again, the play-offs were a step too far, before league re-organisation, which saw the introduction of four tiers in 2017. Ubon Ratchathani returned to the University Stadium for a solitary season as they finished second from bottom in Thai League 3 Upper Region.
New Investment
New Investment
A much improved second place ensued in 2018, when back in the city, as Ahmed Abdalazen and Abbo shared the goals. Nattapon Tabtanon led the scoring tally in 2019, which ended in a seventh-place finish before further reconstruction of the Thai League took place.
The competition reverted to a European fixture calendar in 2020-21 by which time the club had been renamed Ubon Kruanapat after Kruanapat, the local food production company, took over ownership of the club.
Recent Times
The team improved under head coach Jirayoo Suwandee before he was replaced by Tana Chanabut, who was succeeded by Danuson Chaiyawan and then Saran Srideth. It saw the Tigers repeat fourth place, as Oscar Plape led the scoring charts for two seasons.
Kittiyuth Puttakru took charge of the team before the 2023-24 season saw the club change home venue to the Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University (UBRU) Stadium. Chaleamkwan Rienthong was named as head coach.
Kittiyuth Puttakru took charge of the side, and in 2025-26, his second season at the helm, he led them to fifth place.
My visits
Ubon Kruanapat 0 Sisaket United 0
Kittiyuth Puttakru took charge of the side, and in 2025-26, his second season at the helm, he led them to fifth place.
My visits
Ubon Kruanapat 0 Sisaket United 0
Thai League 3 Northeast - Sunday 14th January 2023
👨👨👧👧 522 🎟️ 80 THB (£1.80)
A Decent Local Derby
Despite the scoreline, this was a very watchable 0-0 in a local derby with the clubs only being an hour apart. League leader Sisaket increased the pace at which they played at with Brazilian striker Danilo a man transformed from previous showings.
In a tight first period which fluctuated in terms of ascendancy, the visitors came closest to scoring when a free kick from Heman Kittiamphaipruek cannoned back off the angle of post and bar with keeper Klanarong Wissutiyanpirom motionless.
After the break, the usually ultra-reliable Matias Pannigazzi missed a sitter from close range when getting on the end of a delicious free kick delivery, and the away side spurned another couple of chances on the break.
All the while, Ubon played their part going forward and putting in a string of good centres without getting a shot on target in anger throughout. Defender Mounzir Coulidiati was impressive as he was in the game that ended 0-0 in the reverse fixture.
The game became stretched in the closing stages after decent home midfielder Jakree Burapha was shown a second yellow card, when it looked like he’d fallen and done a good job of using his chest while on the floor to block a through ball, but the ref was having none of it.
Sisaket failed to capitalise on what was a frustrating ending. Second-placed Mahasarakham closed the gap at the top to two points, with them having a game in hand. The two sides were scheduled to meet in the final game of the season in Sisaket.
The away fans were congregated on the open curve behind the goal. We went to the main stand, with my Sisaket shirt giving our game away. We weren’t the only ones in there! Not that there was any issue. The locals could not have been friendlier, with the crowd including a high ratio of aesthetic onlookers.
A Great Day Out
In a tight first period which fluctuated in terms of ascendancy, the visitors came closest to scoring when a free kick from Heman Kittiamphaipruek cannoned back off the angle of post and bar with keeper Klanarong Wissutiyanpirom motionless.
After the break, the usually ultra-reliable Matias Pannigazzi missed a sitter from close range when getting on the end of a delicious free kick delivery, and the away side spurned another couple of chances on the break.
All the while, Ubon played their part going forward and putting in a string of good centres without getting a shot on target in anger throughout. Defender Mounzir Coulidiati was impressive as he was in the game that ended 0-0 in the reverse fixture.
The game became stretched in the closing stages after decent home midfielder Jakree Burapha was shown a second yellow card, when it looked like he’d fallen and done a good job of using his chest while on the floor to block a through ball, but the ref was having none of it.
Sisaket failed to capitalise on what was a frustrating ending. Second-placed Mahasarakham closed the gap at the top to two points, with them having a game in hand. The two sides were scheduled to meet in the final game of the season in Sisaket.
A Quality Home Stadium
UBRU Happiness Stadium is one of several Rajabhat Universities around Thailand and is a pleasant place to watch football. The shale track is now grassed over with raised covered stands down either side. The leg room and viewing were excellent where we were sitting.
The away fans were congregated on the open curve behind the goal. We went to the main stand, with my Sisaket shirt giving our game away. We weren’t the only ones in there! Not that there was any issue. The locals could not have been friendlier, with the crowd including a high ratio of aesthetic onlookers.
A great day out, being dropped halfway in Kanthararom by my wife to meet my mate John, who drove us to Ubon Ratchathani. A late lunch was enjoyed at the excellent American-owned Peppers, where I generally take friends if they are using the nearby airport. It provided a good menu and fridge with a warm welcome from the boss, which was nice.
To round off what was a near-perfect day, my good lady was waiting at my pickup point with a can of Thai-brewed German-style dunkel, which was most appreciated. Some top snooker and the Everton v Aston Villa game on TV over grub and more drinks was most entertaining before bedtime.
Video compiled for airing on A Thai Football Podcast
Ubon Kruanapat 0 Udon United 2
Thai League Cup 2nd Qualifying Round - Friday 6th September 2024
👨👨👧👧 300 🎟️ 80 THB (£1.80)
Train Confusion
Train Confusion
Back in Sisaket after a break in the capital, it was time to enjoy a day out in Ubon, which is never a problem. However, my mate John was missing, so it was to be a solo visit, more the pity. The unusual 5pm Friday kickoff wasn’t particularly convenient for the trains, as I would arrive around 2pm, so I sought out the other option.
My wife drove me to Kanthararom for me to catch the bus, where an early drama unfolded. At the usual little bus station, the man at the desk was adamant that no buses were running from there. He had been previously unhelpful at the best of times and refused to read my phone, asking me a question in Thai.
Problem Solved
My wife drove me to Kanthararom for me to catch the bus, where an early drama unfolded. At the usual little bus station, the man at the desk was adamant that no buses were running from there. He had been previously unhelpful at the best of times and refused to read my phone, asking me a question in Thai.
Problem Solved
Communications can sometimes be awkward, but there is usually a way around it if there's a willingness. He seemed to want me to get on the back of a motorbike, which there was no chance of. In the end, I put Taew on the phone, who told me to head back to the market to meet her. What had happened was that the bus station had now moved to the main road through town.
I wandered off, found a kind lady near where I believed the new stop was, who directed me over the road to an open-fronted office. Another welcoming young man told me that it would be around forty minutes before the minibus turned up, but that was no problem for me.
Stormy Weather
I wandered off, found a kind lady near where I believed the new stop was, who directed me over the road to an open-fronted office. Another welcoming young man told me that it would be around forty minutes before the minibus turned up, but that was no problem for me.
Stormy Weather
The van was packed when it arrived. I got the last seat among many youngsters who looked like students heading to one of the several universities in the adjacent city. On arrival, I decided to walk to the UBRU stadium, breaking for food along the way. The words of my good lady were beginning to ring out as I progressed.
Huge dark clouds were heading our way, and I had left home without a poncho or jacket, telling her that I would be fine when she enquired. The winds grew stronger as I was still ten minutes from my destination. Fortunately, someone was looking down on me as the rain started to pour just as I reached the stadium.
A New Season Awaits
Huge dark clouds were heading our way, and I had left home without a poncho or jacket, telling her that I would be fine when she enquired. The winds grew stronger as I was still ten minutes from my destination. Fortunately, someone was looking down on me as the rain started to pour just as I reached the stadium.
A New Season Awaits
I paid my 80 Baht for a ticket that was handed over and then taken away by the security guard at the steps to the stand and replaced by a small sticker placed on my shoulder to signify that I’d paid and to allow access in and out. The teams walked out for the King’s Anthem as it bucketed down. Why they couldn’t wait a few minutes, I don’t know.
Both sides had wonderful new kits on. I was taken by both, with each also having some very large Africans in their respective lineups. The crowd looked very low at this point, and although it grew as people finished work, it was nowhere near the official figure that appeared on the website.
The Match
Both sides had wonderful new kits on. I was taken by both, with each also having some very large Africans in their respective lineups. The crowd looked very low at this point, and although it grew as people finished work, it was nowhere near the official figure that appeared on the website.
The Match
The home keeper Ratchanasak Buarapha made a decent stop in the early stages as the players struggled on the sodden surface once the rain had subsided. There wasn’t too much goalmouth action, with plenty of mistakes making the first half watchable enough. Johnathon Bernardo of Udon had a header saved just before the break.
The interval offered me the opportunity to wander around and take up a position in the opposite stand for the second period, as it would be easier to get picked up by a Grab taxi at full time, and I enjoy getting a different perspective on what’s happening.
The vocal home fans were split into two small groups at either end of where I sat, a phenomenon regular in Thai football that I can’t get my head around. I turned on the commentary of the cricket from The Oval back home, and it was as if by magic the teams went off for bad light within minutes.
One thing that Test Match Special has always achieved, in all my years of listening, is to provide some great discussion and interviews during breaks in play, and so it proved once again. Along with my earlier Podcasts, I was royally entertained until I got off the train a few hours later.
Anyway, after the restart in Ubon, a long hopeful free kick from Thawatchai Aocharod of the away team was tipped over by Ratchanasak as United built up a head of steam. Not that I could see a goal coming, with the prospect of dreaded extra time being considered. I said as much on Twitter, which did the trick.
A minute later, in the sixty-fifth minute of the match, Natthawut Khamrin cut the ball back from the byline where it was met by a volley from Thawatchai, who rifled in low and hard. The marking was lamentable, but the goal was probably a fair reflection of the proceedings. One home fan was not impressed; his vocals drowned out my radio listening.
Ubon had taken off the giant Jibril Abubakar by this point. I expected his presence to make a real impact, but in truth, he may as well have sat with me. Their best player was the almost veteran Oscar Plape, who always puts in a shift but was gradually getting slower each time I saw him.
The lead was doubled eight minutes from the end. A quick free kick from Hobeen Lee on the halfway line opened the Ubon defence like a can of beans, allowing sub Chatri Rattanawong to beat any claims for offside to finish neatly. And that was that. Udon through to the next round.
Post Match Beers
The interval offered me the opportunity to wander around and take up a position in the opposite stand for the second period, as it would be easier to get picked up by a Grab taxi at full time, and I enjoy getting a different perspective on what’s happening.
The vocal home fans were split into two small groups at either end of where I sat, a phenomenon regular in Thai football that I can’t get my head around. I turned on the commentary of the cricket from The Oval back home, and it was as if by magic the teams went off for bad light within minutes.
One thing that Test Match Special has always achieved, in all my years of listening, is to provide some great discussion and interviews during breaks in play, and so it proved once again. Along with my earlier Podcasts, I was royally entertained until I got off the train a few hours later.
Anyway, after the restart in Ubon, a long hopeful free kick from Thawatchai Aocharod of the away team was tipped over by Ratchanasak as United built up a head of steam. Not that I could see a goal coming, with the prospect of dreaded extra time being considered. I said as much on Twitter, which did the trick.
A minute later, in the sixty-fifth minute of the match, Natthawut Khamrin cut the ball back from the byline where it was met by a volley from Thawatchai, who rifled in low and hard. The marking was lamentable, but the goal was probably a fair reflection of the proceedings. One home fan was not impressed; his vocals drowned out my radio listening.
Ubon had taken off the giant Jibril Abubakar by this point. I expected his presence to make a real impact, but in truth, he may as well have sat with me. Their best player was the almost veteran Oscar Plape, who always puts in a shift but was gradually getting slower each time I saw him.
The lead was doubled eight minutes from the end. A quick free kick from Hobeen Lee on the halfway line opened the Ubon defence like a can of beans, allowing sub Chatri Rattanawong to beat any claims for offside to finish neatly. And that was that. Udon through to the next round.
Post Match Beers
My Grab arrived without any issues and transported me to Amber House Coffee and Food, which had advertised that they also sold beer. I was in a quandary to choose this place or Demo 88, with both being around a minute’s walk to the station. Maybe Demo will get the vote next time.
Amber House was certainly the sort of place to go for coffee and cake. That’s not to say that the youngsters working there weren’t very polite, if confused as to why a big foreigner chose to drink three large bottles of Leo in an hour while seemingly laughing like a congenital idiot.
A Visit to a Strange Bar
Amber House was certainly the sort of place to go for coffee and cake. That’s not to say that the youngsters working there weren’t very polite, if confused as to why a big foreigner chose to drink three large bottles of Leo in an hour while seemingly laughing like a congenital idiot.
A Visit to a Strange Bar
I can only put it down to rushing my drinks while relaxing and enjoying the chat about the cricket. I headed off, giving myself plenty of time to make the final train, where a youngster wanted to give me his ticket free of charge after he had bought the wrong one.
Taew was waiting for me at Kanthararom and about to have her patience severely tested. She knows I’m bonkers, and I like to visit new places. There was a bar we often passed near the station, which looked interesting but only opened later. She agreed for us to go and have a look.
We shared a couple of drinks outside. We were the only customers. Inside was not particularly impressive and resembled a 1970s club back in England. The welcoming girls seemed fed up, and there was something a bit creepy about the owner. I made my apologies in the car on the way home. Taew simply shrugged it off. I've got a good one.
Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be too adventurous, and the best ideas after beer should remain as ideas. An interesting day all in all. I certainly missed someone to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Ubon Kruanapat 2 Khon Kaen Mordingdang 1
Taew was waiting for me at Kanthararom and about to have her patience severely tested. She knows I’m bonkers, and I like to visit new places. There was a bar we often passed near the station, which looked interesting but only opened later. She agreed for us to go and have a look.
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| Beers in Amber House with the cool beer mat |
We shared a couple of drinks outside. We were the only customers. Inside was not particularly impressive and resembled a 1970s club back in England. The welcoming girls seemed fed up, and there was something a bit creepy about the owner. I made my apologies in the car on the way home. Taew simply shrugged it off. I've got a good one.
Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be too adventurous, and the best ideas after beer should remain as ideas. An interesting day all in all. I certainly missed someone to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Ubon Kruanapat 2 Khon Kaen Mordingdang 1
Thai League 3 Northeast - Saturday 8th February 2024
att: 329)
With no matches on in Sisaket over the weekend, I caught the train to Ubon and spent the day filming in different locations for a forthcoming YouTube video. A very enjoyable day it was too, followed by a watchable game of football in the nice surroundings of the UBRU Happiness Stadium, where the ticket was 80 Baht.
The hosts deserved their win, which can be listened to in further detail on the attached video clip, as I made a report for A Thai Football Podcast. After the slow start, Ubon went ahead after half an hour through Pongchana Kongkirit. Mordingdang struck back a few minutes later through Sirasit Hoohin.
As is customary around Thailand, the crowd grew as the game progressed, with a noticeable number of students in attendance. Big Cameroon centre-back Aime M’Bongo impressed me for the home side. Their long-term forward Oscar Plape had left for Uttaradit, which was a shame, as I always enjoyed watching him play.
It was a fine move for the goal that proved to be the winner in first-half additional time, as Thakdanai Phamchungkung finished calmly. This gave the man on the mic another chance to blast out music and shout out his announcement at far too loud a volume. But at least he enjoyed it and obviously cared.
Ubon Kruanapat 1 Muang Loei United 1 (Saturday 20th September 2025) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: 428)
Not a game that will register in the memory for too long, despite both sides giving it a go on a horrible pitch as a storm threatened to drop a heavy load throughout. We got away with thunder and lightning. The ref kept the players on when I’d have been going off.
The visitors, from just eight hours away in a regional division, went ahead eleven minutes before the break when Chawin Srichan ghosted in at the near post to poke a free kick home, with keeper Paphawin Deebong rooted to his line. Ubon were level within six minutes when Nuttapong Deeduaychat nodded home a flicked-on corner at the back post.
And that was about it. Loei didn’t look like scoring once their foreign forward Torky went off. Aime M’Bongo had a header come off the bar for Ubon in the closing stages, presumably before he headed off to make a commercial about a soft drink that they drink in the Congo.
The Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat (UBRU) Stadium, a fine setting where just one away fan stood alone with his banner behind the goal, and everyone seemed to smile and be happy.
With no matches on in Sisaket over the weekend, I caught the train to Ubon and spent the day filming in different locations for a forthcoming YouTube video. A very enjoyable day it was too, followed by a watchable game of football in the nice surroundings of the UBRU Happiness Stadium, where the ticket was 80 Baht.
The hosts deserved their win, which can be listened to in further detail on the attached video clip, as I made a report for A Thai Football Podcast. After the slow start, Ubon went ahead after half an hour through Pongchana Kongkirit. Mordingdang struck back a few minutes later through Sirasit Hoohin.
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| Click to enlarge the image |
As is customary around Thailand, the crowd grew as the game progressed, with a noticeable number of students in attendance. Big Cameroon centre-back Aime M’Bongo impressed me for the home side. Their long-term forward Oscar Plape had left for Uttaradit, which was a shame, as I always enjoyed watching him play.
It was a fine move for the goal that proved to be the winner in first-half additional time, as Thakdanai Phamchungkung finished calmly. This gave the man on the mic another chance to blast out music and shout out his announcement at far too loud a volume. But at least he enjoyed it and obviously cared.
My report for A Thai Football Podcast
Ubon had several chances to extend their advantage after the break, with the side from Khon Kaen causing a bit of panic towards the end as they tried to salvage a point. Time for a couple of small beers in Wrong Way Café, which was desperately devoid of any atmosphere, before the train to Kanthararom, where my wife was waiting to collect me. A lovely day out.
Ubon Kruanapat 1 Muang Loei United 1 (Saturday 20th September 2025) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: 428)
Not a game that will register in the memory for too long, despite both sides giving it a go on a horrible pitch as a storm threatened to drop a heavy load throughout. We got away with thunder and lightning. The ref kept the players on when I’d have been going off.
The visitors, from just eight hours away in a regional division, went ahead eleven minutes before the break when Chawin Srichan ghosted in at the near post to poke a free kick home, with keeper Paphawin Deebong rooted to his line. Ubon were level within six minutes when Nuttapong Deeduaychat nodded home a flicked-on corner at the back post.
And that was about it. Loei didn’t look like scoring once their foreign forward Torky went off. Aime M’Bongo had a header come off the bar for Ubon in the closing stages, presumably before he headed off to make a commercial about a soft drink that they drink in the Congo.
Rob's Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast
An enjoyable few hours, nevertheless, in excellent company. Beers and a snack at Wrong Way Café were enjoyable before the game, despite their laab moo tord being mini frikkadel and then the miracle of avoiding the storm.
The Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat (UBRU) Stadium, a fine setting where just one away fan stood alone with his banner behind the goal, and everyone seemed to smile and be happy.
