Muangthong United 2014-2025

Muangthong United FC
Ground: Thunderdome Stadium
Capacity: 15,000
Club Founded: 1989
League: Thai League 2 (current level)


This page concentrates on the Muangthong United home matches I have attended from 2014 through to 2025. There is a dedicated page that concentrates on the club history and my first match at the Thunderdome.



Muangthong United 2 Bangkok Glass 1
Thai Premier League - Sunday 6th April 2014
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 15,000 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)

While I always try to visit new grounds given the opportunity, the repeated clash of my previous visit worked well for me with an 8pm kick-off. It was the day on which I’d returned from yet another magnificent Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes.

After landing at Don Muang, I checked into the nearby Asia Hotel at Zeer Rangsit. From there, I headed to a venue I'd flown over on the way in, as I enjoyed the North Bangkok University v Chamchuri United Regional League clash, which kicked off conveniently at 4pm.

At full-time, I needed a taxi to my second match. My driver took a most unusual route before we drove along the bank of the Grand Canal, cutting along it and dropping me off south of the Impact Arena. As with my first visit, the match clashed with the motor show inside the arena.

A section at the top end of the complex was open with an indoor market and food court, which I popped in for a look. The crowds built up on the walk up to SCG Stadium, as the Thunderdome was called at the time to reflect the ownership of the club. 

I was examining the stadium diagram at the ticket office to see where I fancied sitting when a young lady inside turned the boards around. They read ‘all tickets sold”. This was the most alarming news.

At the same time, a girl tried to return an unwanted ticket. I helped her out immediately. She was happy taking 100 THB for a 120 THB ticket behind the goal. I had noted that a VIP ticket was 500 THB, which would have been my Plan B if nothing else was available.

At last, I felt like a beer, so I enjoyed a large Leo before going inside. The ticket had no specific seat, so it was a matter of first-come, first-served. I grabbed a position near the corner, halfway up, as the home ultras at either end put on a fine display of banners and singing. They tried extremely hard to replicate European fans.

The home crowd went berserk as they saw that Buriram United had conceded a late goal to draw at Saphanburi. The fans of the Glass Rabbits filled their normal section, so they were given another block as well as a section on the top tier. It really was an incredible atmosphere.

As the teams entered the pitch, I realised that ex-Cardiff City and QPR, amongst many other clubs, striker Jay Bothroyd was playing up front for Muangthong, whom I wasn't their biggest fan of before kick-off, owing to my previous visit.

The fans were fine, and the stadium was excellent, but the club had a bit too much commercialism about it for my liking. Added to which, the way that some of their players threw themselves around in the corresponding clash in 2012 hadn't endeared me towards them.

I also had to chuckle at the strap line by the museum that read that their history never ends, and a banner at the far end reading ‘Welcome to Hell’ to try and intimidate visitors. They had obviously never been to Goole.

I tried to watch the game impartially, but I could see what was coming after just two minutes when Glass' full-back, Jose Mena, was booked for a tame foul on Bothroyd. United powered forward, given able assistance from the referee and his linesmen. Glass defended well with the charismatic Narit Taweekul in goal.

Gradually, the visitors started playing some good stuff of their own as they spread the play and frustrated both the United team and their supporters. The Frenchman Flavien Michelini was excellent wide on the right. Bothroyd had started brightly, but then disappeared for prolonged periods

Glass took the lead with a fine move, finishing with a header from Chatree Chimtalay in twenty-five minutes. I did my best not to cheer too loudly! Visiting skipper and ex-United player Teeratep Winothai, who had a youth career at Crystal Palace and Everton, was roundly booed.

He looked like a fine player, as someone with 51 international caps should. He was booked and then sent off in injury time in the first half. Neither were particularly bad offences. Just after his dismissal, Muangthong equalised. The only shock to me was that the ref hadn’t awarded a penalty or scored it himself.

As it transpired, it was left to Korean defender Dong-Jin Kim to nod home after a mighty scramble. Half-time came at a suitable time for a stretch and a drink. The temperature was still in the thirties as all the players on both sides gave it everything. I took up a seat in the gangway for the second period to enable a bit more legroom.

Individual seats had been added behind the goals since my previous visit, without much thought for anyone over six feet tall. Michelini went off after ten minutes of the second half after receiving some rough treatment. The game was there for the taking for the home side after the best two Glass players were out of the way.

They gradually turned the screw, which led to Bothroyd finishing delightfully on sixty-three minutes. The bloke had oozed class when he appeared bothered in a microcosm of his career. I didn’t reckon he deserved the fawning the westerners were giving him from the stands.

United came close on several occasions to add to their lead. They looked like a very decent side. It was a shame the way the match had gone, as it promised to be a classic when Glass was at full strength. The visitors nearly grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser as panic spread in the home box, but it wasn’t to be.

The away fans took defeat an awful lot better than I’d have done in their shoes outside the ground, with lots of smiles and handshakes. Thais really are wonderful people. I received a further illustration of this fact as I tried to flag down a taxi. I’d gone over the main road near a massive car park to try and get the first go at a cab.

A couple of drivers knocked me back before a man in a Muangthong shirt asked where I needed to go. He quoted me 200 THB, about what I expected to pay by taxi metre, so I gladly accepted.

He was an off-duty taxi driver who was delighted a Westerner had gone to watch his team. We managed a basic chat about the game and the TPL. He showed me a picture of his young son, whom he was obviously enormously proud of, before dropping me off exactly where I needed to be to pick up some supper.

It had been a cracking evening out, even if the game didn’t go the way I’d have preferred. Muangthong United had an awful lot right. It’s just that they were not entirely my thing.

Muangthong United 0 Buriram United 1
Thai League 1 - Saturday 29th January 2022
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 5,875 🎟️ 150 THB (£3.60)

I had been enjoying every minute of Bangkok since moving permanently to the Land of Smiles a couple of months earlier. The football adventures were living up to expectations as I got around to new venues, but on this occasion, I opted for the biggest game in Thailand all weekend.

I set out with the best of intentions from my condo in Minburi to go all the way by public transport. My plans hit the buffers when I stood on Ram Intra for a good thirty minutes without any sign of the bus that my App said I required. I would learn easier ways in the future.

A taxi was hailed to drop me off outside the Thunder Dome Stadium. However, on the way along Chaeng Wattana-Pak Kret 33, which trendily becomes Bond Street near the new retail developments, I saw Nap Bar, so I asked my driver to let me out.

It was trendy and just opening for business. The staff seemed a little perplexed but extremely courteous, with decent music being played. After just one large bottle of Leo, I continued the ten-minute walk towards the stadium. Under the Ubon Ratthaya Expressway, I came across a fan zone with numerous pop-up bars.

I got talking to a United and Sunderland fan called Ian, who was a teacher in Bangkok. We had a good chat and took in the fan display from the Curva Sud ultras, which can be seen here. I said my goodbyes after being propositioned by a Thai who wanted me to be his English teacher.

I also enjoyed chatting with an MTU fan originally from Dresden. I followed the ultras and headed to find my gate behind the near south goal. It was a sign of the times that the capacity was still restricted, and a girl steward stood at the steps with a board reminding everyone to wear a mask, although it was quite relaxed inside the stadium.

To get a flavour of the occasion, you may wish to watch this video from my YouTube Channel. It contains many more football experiences, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles.

Buriram, with an excellent away following, really did look a good side. They were well-disciplined and reminded me of Liverpool in the 1980s with their solid defence and fine, rapid counterattacking play.

After eating up what early pressure Muangthong put together, for whom I thought Willian Popp led the line well, Buriram went ahead after eight minutes as midfielder Rattanakorn Maikam got on the end of a free kick to score.

Once they had scored, the visitors always looked more likely to score, as MTU huffed and puffed around the last third without ever really making away goalie Siwarak Tedsungnoen do anything of note. At full-time, former MTU player, Teerathon Bunmathan, now with Buriram, came to the Curva Sud and was given a tremendous ovation. I really liked that.

The match was played out in front of a decent atmosphere. Previous experience had told me that taxis weren’t easy to come by after a game, so I walked past the car park and the IMPACT Speed Park and flagged one down within a couple of minutes.

The exercise must have made me thirsty, as my notes suggest I left my local bar at 4am, where the girls tried their absolute best to offer me Thai lessons. At least I knew how to say "shut your mouth" in Isan by the time I got to bed. It’s a tough old life.

A full collection of photos of this match can be enjoyed on Flickr, with those of the Ultras of Curva Sud also available.

Muangthong United 2 Port FC 1
Thai League 1 - Saturday 5th February 2022
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,985 🎟️ 180 THB (£4.20)

I will always be a football fan before any individual club in Thailand, particularly as I wanted to get around Bangkok to see matches and meet as many people as possible. That said, it will always be Port who I cheer for most.

With fans still banned owing to crowd trouble between the two clubs at the Thunderdome eight years earlier, I decided I could trust myself to sit in the main stand among home supporters. Arriving this time via a van that dropped me off at Don Muang station, a pleasant walk and then a taxi, I again headed for the area under the motorway.

Again, Ian was there, introducing me to an American who was also a secret Port fan. Unbelievably, he had heard of Scarborough, and when he saw I was wearing a Boro shirt, he wanted to chat about the infamous Wolverhampton Wanderers match back in 1987, as he had seen a documentary about it. He was astonished when I told him I was at the game.

My seat was in the corner near the North Stand and offered an excellent view. Port were on a poor run of form, which coincidentally started after I attended the first game after the holiday break. I was wondering if I would ever see them win again.

Once again, they put in a powder puff performance, which had me trying to silently moan. I really liked defender David Rochela, but he was well past his best as he lacked any pace. Popp was leading him a merry dance.

It was the Brazilian who opened the scoring after twelve minutes. Port stayed in the game without offering any real threat up to the interval, when I went out the back for a stretch, to find a most welcome feature. The N Zone fans had their own tub selling ice-cold small cans for 40 THB and played music under the shelter of the indoor arena next door. 

Someone came around and offered me free grilled pork straight off the barbecue. What lovely people. Returning with my optimism restored, I was soon brought back down to earth when Teeraphol Yoryoei doubled the lead. The Lions pulled one back through substitute Seulki Ko with twenty minutes to go.

Hope sprang eternal, but I should have known better. Port were lacking in firepower, with Nelson Bonilla being shot shy and Sergio Saurez looking ever more frustrated by the appearance. United held on to win with ease.

After the game, I decided for some reason that the IMPACT Arena and nearby hotels would be a good bet for a taxi. I was wrong, but had an interesting walk before finally finding one on Popular Road to take me back to reflect on a decent night but poor Port performance, but it’s only a game!

Muangthong United 0 Port FC 0
Thai League 1 - Sunday 9th October 2022
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 5,311 🎟️ 180 THB (£4.20)

The away fan ban continued for another year and was starting to get a bit silly. Nevertheless, it wasn’t going to stop me, so I bought the same online ticket as from the previous season. I was in a good mood, ready to watch the derby.

That was because I had seen a cracker of a game earlier in the afternoon in the Bangkok Premier League, which ended 3-3 after 90 minutes, between DX Academy and Hippo FC. The visitors had been remarkably drawn away to Muangthong in the FA Cup when the draw was made a couple of days later.

A taxi dropped me near the fan zone as the rain started to pour down. Fortunately, the cover provided by the flyover kept me dry while enjoying a beer. I couldn’t see Ian, so I decided to take a punt on the N Zone regulars selling beers after purchasing a programme from the shop behind the stand, the first I had seen post-COVID in Thailand.

They were in the same position and could not have been friendlier. That said, they were probably unaware that I wanted a Port victory. Again, the free pork was offered, and the beer remained cold. A lady tried to sell me a fan t-shirt, but there are limits!

I went in as the teams came out. I wanted to be there in time for the silence to commemorate the children murdered in an attack in Nong Bua Province a few days earlier, which had devastated the country. Curva Sud held up a banner saying, “Rest in peace, angels”. I couldn’t have said it better.

It was fortunate that I had seen some proper excitement on a pitch earlier in the day before this excuse for a game. It was as poor a game as I had seen in my eleven months in Thailand. Both sides lacked confidence and the wherewithal to finish the few chances on offer.

United looked the more likely of the two to score and looked like they had gone ahead on twenty-seven minutes when an unmarked Sardor Mirzaev sneaked in at the near post to put away a cross from Phumin Kaewta.

Fortunately for the visitors, referee Mongkolchai Pechsri was advised to check his VAR monitor, where he saw a handball earlier in the move and disallowed the goal. Frans Putros saw a shot saved by home goalie Somporn Yos shortly after.

Those were the highlights of the first half. I was heading towards the exit for the break when two local gents shouted at me to meet them for a beer. Muangthong members, Thumtiti and Mai, met me out the back and had a drink with me. Both lovely gents.

The West Zone. With the empty away fans section

Port made a decent opportunity for William Weidersjö, who managed to fluff his lines. A decent shot by Teerasak Poeiphimai was pushed around the post by Yos before he denied Hamilton from the resulting corner. The keeper then thwarted Ben Davis as Port enjoyed a good spell.

The lads had popped down and brought me a beer back, which I didn’t know was permitted, but I wasn’t in the mood to discuss it with friendly hosts. Muangthong forward Poramet Arjvirai was denied by a combination of Negueba and keeper Worawut Srisupha. Anier then volleyed across the goal for the home side.

At full time, I said goodbye to the lads and ended up under the flyover chatting to expat United fans, including a nice catch-up with Ian. We had a laugh at the official gate, which was closer to 3,000, and agreed neither side deserved the victory.

It had been a long day, and the exercise, beer and a poor previous night's sleep saw me nod off in my taxi home. Fortunately, the driver had the common sense to wake me as we approached Minburi!

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo v Kawasaki Frontale - Moved to BG Stadium
J League Asian Challenge - Tuesday 15th November 2022

What great news. Two top Japanese sides playing an accessible friendly. I bought my ticket with great eagerness after being alerted by my friend Thumtiti and headed to Chaeng Wattana by van before enjoying a walk along the Grand Canal, learning as I went.

It was my first time having a look at the sprawling community, which offered plenty of local food and drink options. It was a lot bigger than I imagined, but I was soon in sight of the Thunder Dome, where there was absolutely no sign of life.

I went to enquire, but nobody was about. I went online to find that the game had been moved earlier in the day to Leo Stadium in Pathum Thani, with little chance of me getting there in time. I trudged away, walking back down to the main road before getting a van back to Minburi.

At least I enjoyed some exercise and had an interesting walk. A few weeks later, Thai Ticket Major reimbursed the ticket fee, which I didn't expect.

Muangthong United 4 Bangkok United 1
Charity Match - Saturday 29th July 2023 (att: c2,000)
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c2,000 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)

A comprehensive win for the hosts on their home turf against what I was told was a youthful away side. The match was arranged to raise money for Thai athletes with disabilities. The teams wore numbers in Thai, meaning that identification was nigh on impossible to me.

Into a strong breeze, MTU played lots of incredibly tight passing football in their own area but kept their opponents at bay, who went close when a header went narrowly wide. On the break, Muangthong looked dangerous, with away goalie and skipper Warut Makmusik receiving a yellow card for handling outside the box.

It seemed a charitable decision from the ref, fitting of the occasion. Makmusik was to face real punishment when he dallied on the ball outside the area and was dispossessed as Sarayuth Yusujujae fired into the empty net when the ball fell to him after nineteen minutes.

Chances were exchanged at either end, as the keepers made saves before the interval. With the wind at their backs after the restart, MTU dominated. Poramat Artwilai doubled the lead eleven minutes after the break before Charoensak Wongkorn made it 3-0 a minute later.

Anon Amornlertsak grabbed one back for BU on seventy-six minutes, with a shot from Stefan Šćepović proving too strong for Makmusik in the closing stages to complete the scoring. A well-deserved victory, before my headaches began.

I love living in Thailand and the people, but occasionally I could scream. I arrived a couple of hours before the game to find huge crowds outside the stadium. Next door to it, literally, ten yards away, is an indoor arena. It was staging a gig from the Korean girl band Aespa at the same time as the match.

Maybe 30 years ago, I would have been in my element with the demographics of the thousands in the audience who were being marshalled into the correct queues. It was quite orderly. However, it also meant that the regular options to have a drink had to be changed.

I met Ian at Flann O'Brien's Irish Pub, part of the Impact exhibition centre. It was chaos in the most un-Irish pub I had ever been in, with long waiting times for a beer to arrive. I had fancied a Guinness or two until I saw it cost the equivalent of £10.45 a pint.

A good natter with gents who enrolled me into the MTU Foreign Legion Facebook group despite me cheering for bitter rivals Port, and then drinks under the motorway bridge, normally the domain of S Zone Ultras, but on this occasion, selling snacks and tacky souvenirs of the performing girls came before the game.

I met my Thai mate, who'd looked after me at the Port game, behind the stand for more drinks with the N Zone gang, who were as friendly as ever. My seat was officially 100 THB, with an extra 30 THB going to charity. The seat over the railing was 80 THB more for the same view, while the small cans outside cost 40 THB.

I’m sure any accountants among you reading this can work out where I am most likely to sit from now on. That was, if I did venture back up that way for a while. I loved going to the stadium, the ambience, the way the hosts played, and meeting some great people. But getting away without owning transport was a nightmare.

Every time, it was an issue finding a taxi or one that would turn its meter on. This time, they took full advantage, knowing full well an affluent crowd of young women at a concert would pay whatever to get home. Not this Yorkshireman, though.

In the end, I walked to the bus depot and caught a service a couple of miles before I flagged down a willing taxi. I got home over two hours after full-time. We only lived sixteen miles away. Ideally, the sky train would be up and running within a couple of years.

Muangthong United 1 Port FC 3
Thai League 1 - Monday 28th August 2023
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 5,123 🎟️ 150 THB (£3.60)

The Viabus app proved to provide excellent information for this Monday night visit, following some under-16 football at Supachalasi Stadium in the Thailand Prime Ministers Cup, ensuring I would reach Muang Thong Thani well ahead of my estimated time of arrival.

I knew that I could catch the number 166 bus, but it took around two hours, even longer during rush hour traffic. Therefore, I was delighted to discover that the number 86 minivan went directly to the Impact Arena via the expressway, costing only 35 THB from Victory Monument. It took just over half an hour before being deposited on the first floor of the Cosmo Bazaar.

This was a mall with lots of the usual named options to eat, as well as the alternative of a local food court. The mall was located beside a large retail park. Some of it was new to me and was being added to. I considered that there would be far worse places to live in the capital.

With over two hours before kickoff after obtaining my ticket and a programme, I was approached by a couple of fellas in MTU polos and recording equipment. They wanted a farang’s view of the game for their channel. Now, usually, there would be no problem with this. I’ve done it before at amateur games. However, the MTU v Port game is vastly different.

I about got away with saying I hoped football would be the winner in a 3-3 draw. I turned the tables by interviewing the two guys for A Thai Football Podcast, which I co-hosted. Pre-match beers with the ex-pats were enjoyed under the tollway, where a great atmosphere was building.

Below is Rob's Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast, a weekly production made by fans, for fans. Give the show, what we like to call an audio fanzine, a listen, if you want to be taken back a few years and hear interviews, opinions, and lots of fun being had.

The hosts, with just one point from their first two games, were orchestrated by head coach Mario Gjurovski, a man with incredible dress sense. For this encounter, he wore a bright orange suit with white trainers. By full-time, he looked like a deflated space hopper.

Port took the lead when Hamilton, labelled “The Brazilian Andy Carroll”, flicked on a header from a long free kick from keeper Somporn Yos. Fellow samba star Barros Tardeli flicked it past onrushing inexperienced goalie Soponwit Rakyart before putting the ball into the gaping net. Real route one stuff, as I did well to remember to sit on my hands.

Home striker Šćepović tried to chip Somporn when in a decent position, to the dismay of the crowd and teammate Willian Popp, who had his head in his hands. Early days, but the Serbian looked like a dud. MTU continued to look good going forward, but vulnerable at the back as the pressure increased, with Popp seeing a good effort turned around the post.

Just before the break, I think referee Sivakorn Pu-Udom got a call very wrong, or at least the man on the VAR desk didn’t help him. Tardeli was first to a ball a few yards outside the box, with keeper Soponwit wiping him out midair when not even looking at the ball.

The ref gave a free kick to MTU when the custodian could well have seen red for the challenge. Astonishingly, the VAR team were not interested. It baffled me, as you will notice in the video report below, which I compiled as the action commenced for A Thai Football Podcast.

At the break, I mentioned that there would be more goals and Port would catch them on the break. However, nobody was quite ready for the VAR team to call back play ten minutes after the restart. They asked the ref to check a challenge from Suphanan Bureerat into the back of Kannarin Thawornsak, which saw him go down.

Hardly anyone had appealed, and the play had continued for a minute, but the official changed his decision and pointed to the spot. Coach Mario played Popp, for those of you old enough, as the Brazilian talisman scored easily from the resultant penalty.

Port teams of the past would have crumbled or pressed the self-ignite button, but this bunch was made of sterner stuff. Another Brazilian, Negueba, took control of the midfield. He looked like a Rolls-Royce of a player, calm and collected but with a physical presence.

The boys from Khlong Toei regained the lead when Bordin Phala fed Hamilton on the edge of the box, who fired across the keeper into the corner after an initial touch. After that, it could have been any score as Port tore the hosts asunder.

The home fans didn’t get nasty and appreciated that their team were being undone, with purring and oohs replacing any boos that are sometimes forthcoming in such situations. The home team's left back, Picha Autra, who had been introduced in the second half after Mario changed formation, didn’t know what day it was.

The third goal came in stoppage time and was initially ruled out for offside, though I knew immediately it would be overruled and given. Negueba played a smart one-two with Bordin to beat the high line before rolling square for Teerasak Poeiphimai to score.

It was most enjoyable. A perfect day, rounded off by managing to get a taxi on an app straight away and heading home for a lovely can of Thai-brewed hoppy ale before bed.

Muangthong United 1 Sukhothai 0
Thai League 1 - Saturday 16th August 2025
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,723 🎟️ 150 THB (£3.60)

A View From the Station. A Fantastic Addition

An evening out that was made incredibly easier thanks to the extension of the Pink Line MRT monorail, which now continued all the way to the Thunderdome Stadium. It saved a lot of journey time and made getting away a cinch when compared to the past.

The journey from Minburi was simple. A direct ride to Muang Thong Thani, where it was a case of following fans down the stairs and up again at the other side to the platform serving the shuttle service to Lake Muang Thong Thani.

Beer was available at the foot of the steps outside the new station, and then behind the West Stand. We chose the North Zone, where, as usual, the ultras of that end sold cheap small cans near their gate. Muangthong were possibly the last club in Thailand to issue programmes before they called it a day. They were left with bundles unsold, and they’re no longer needed.

I went with my friend Mark, as we enjoyed an excellent night out. This, despite the game literally turning into a damp squib on a pitch, which would have seen a postponement in many other countries, as the heavy rain fell throughout the contest.

Muangthong just about deserved the three points. The only goal came five minutes from time when Bulgarian defender Stefan Tsonkov followed up a free kick spilt by Kittipun Saensuk in the visitors' goal. Sukhothai were decent up front with John Baggio as the star man once again for them. Melvyn Lorenzen for the home team was not so good.

The only blue notes that would relate to this particular Melvyn would be the feedback he received from the crowd, frustrated by his performances. Little did we know when we left the stadium that in the corresponding fixture on the final day of the season, Sukhothai would win 3-0 to relegate Muangthong United to the Thai League 2.

The visit to the Thunderdome and the one the following day to the PAT Stadium allowed me to make a video for my YouTube Channel about the rivalry between Muangthong United and Port FC.

The only downside to our enjoyable few hours on this occasion was getting absolutely sodden between the station where I alighted and the bar where Taew and friends were waiting for me on the way back. I needed a change of clothes before a very late night ensued.

Port FC 2022-2025

Port FC

Ground: PAT Stadium

Capacity: 6,250

Club Founded: 1967

League: Thai League 1 (current level)

This page is dedicated to my visits to the PAT Stadium to watch Port FC in action. The club history and my first visits has its own page, as do the matches that I attended from March 2014 until March 2018.

2021-22 Season

Port FC 1 Bangkok United 1

Thai League 1 - Sunday 9th January 2022 att: 1,053)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 1,053 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

Pre-Match Build-Up

Port, like most clubs, had its capacities cut owing to COVID-19. I had stayed over downtown and saw that the club were asking fans to queue for vouchers from 7am to guarantee a ticket when they went on sale at 10am.

I was too late for that, but I quickly made friends with a German Port fan who played a couple of seasons for Bayer Leverkusen in the mid-70s. He kindly got me two tickets, as each token allowed four. I also had a plan B. I think someone gets their beer free of charge down there, as I was told I could get sorted for 200 THB each. The actual tickets were 120 THB.

The Match

My pal Steve joined me for the match as we sat with locals drinking beer and making friends out on the street before the match. The game itself was a midfield battle with the home team going ahead shortly before halftime through Adisak Kraisorn.

A miraculous save from the United keeper Michael Falkesgaard kept his side in it as they took the ascendancy after former Port player Heberty came on and was roundly booed following his spell with the club and his previous career at bitter rivals Muang Thong United.

The game ended in controversy. The linesman flagged for offside as the Port defence more or less stopped. The ball was crossed and put away by substitute Thitipan Puangohan. On referral to VAR, the goal stood. The home fans, never the slowest in showing their emotions, went berserk. It was about the right result, but not a nice way for it to come about.

Port FC 2 Suphanburi 0

Thai League 1 - Wednesday 9th February 2022att: 1,681)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 1,681 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

A win’s a win, but it was a far-from-inspired performance by the hosts who showed an obvious lack of confidence. At least the effort was there. Goals came from Bordin after twenty-eight minutes and substitute Nattawat in stoppage time.

He had replaced hapless Salvadorian striker Nelson Bonilla, who would struggle to score in Patpong on his form at the time. It is always sad to see a player struggle, especially when they take up decent positions. It looked like both parties were resigned to it not working out.

I had caught the bus from the end of my complex to the stadium gates, where I picked up my pre-paid ticket from the booth, leaving me time for a few drinks from the pop-up bars on the street outside PAT Stadium.

It was also nice to have a quick slurp after the game with some local lads I've befriended before a taxi home. It was also nice to celebrate the opening goal with Madam Pang, who was upstairs in her apartment behind the goal in a happy mood.

Port FC 1 Chiangmai United 2

Thai League 1 - Sunday 13th February 2022 Thai League 1 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 1,825 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

PAT Stadium was still restricted to a 25% capacity because of Covid, but selling out wasn't going to be an issue with performances like this, particularly an abject offering in places against the bottom of the table away side. United fully deserved the three points.

Their physical Brazilian pairing of forward Bill and centre-back Evson showed how to put in professional performances. Both must have been ruined at full time, after giving everything as well as using their nous in game management and knowing how to see a game out.

Thawin Butsombat scored for Chiang Mai within the first minute. Four minutes after the break, Ekanit Panya doubled the lead after the linesman had originally flagged for offside before VAR correctly gave the goal.

Port mounted some pressure and got one back through Kevin Deeromram to set up a grandstand last twenty minutes. Bonilla had been introduced at the break. There was a greater chance of me scoring.

I had taken the opportunity to sit downstairs, down the side, where the most passionate locals offer advice to all and sundry, as I try to work out where I fancy getting a season pass for next time round.

It reminded me of Morton in Scotland in terms of vitriol and in terms of being able to understand what exactly was being shouted. It was an experience. I had time to kill before the game.

My intention was to rid my Saturday night hangover by heading out early, buying a ticket and then going on to the Bangkok Premier League match at 4pm between Harmonious United and Nonthaburi City before returning to PAT for 7.30.

However, the buses let me down, so I ended up having a lengthy walk and an all-day English breakfast at the excellent Sportsman bar on Sukhumvit Soi 13. Ironically enough, a bus turned up from the other side of Khlong Toei Market not long after the game to take me all the way back to Min Buri.

Port FC 0 Chiangrai United 0

Thai League 1 - Wednesday 9th March 2022) Thai League 1 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 1,629 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

A bus took me most of the way into town before getting snarled up in rush hour traffic, meaning that I required a cab to complete the journey if I wanted a couple of libations from the pop-up stalls.

Port were on an awful run and had two players suspended along with injuries, but they put on an excellent display, full of effort and energy. Well, generally anyway. Salvadorian forward Nelson Bonilla really was a waste of space, totally lacking in confidence and commitment.

The hosts had a goal ruled out just before the break for offside after a VAR review. I enjoyed the displays of twenty-one-year-old Swedish/Thai William Weidersjö, in midfield until he ran out of gas and the ever-willing Philip Roller, a Thai with a German father, wide on the right. He was prone to errors but gave his all in each match.

There was a good turnout of away fans and the usual PAT Stadium experience, where I took a seat at a bar next to a young fella called Jorge, a freelance walking tour guide in Bangkok. We sat in the ground together too. Even better, a bus took me all the way back to my local from the far side of Khlong Toei Market so I could enjoy a couple of nightcaps.

Port FC 3 Nongbua Pitchaya 0

Thai League 1 - Sunday 1st May 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 2,875)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,875 🎟️ Free

The previous evening, I had been at the excellent Ratchaburi v Chonburi match before catching a bus back to Bangkok and heading down to buy tickets, as I was to be joined by my pal Steve, along with three Aussie mates from the annual cricket in Chiang Mai.

It was a pleasant surprise to find that tickets were being given away free as a thank you from Madam Pang. We all met at Oasis Bar on Soi Cowboy before heading to the match, where we were hit with a huge downpour as we were going in. Fortunately, an opportunistic poncho seller came to the rescue.

Port were aided by an early Nongbua red card given by referee Noppadet Mangngam to Iain Ramsay, who spat at a home player. The hosts played extremely well and put on a proper display, somehow going in 0-0 at the break after doing everything but score.

They were backed by an excellent, raucous atmosphere, which my guests really enjoyed. The visitors’ rearguard was finally breached three minutes after the interval when the unfortunate Yuttapong Srilakon put the ball in his own net.

The ever-excellent Sergio Suárez scored the second, which was added to in stoppage time by sub Nurul Sriyankem. We headed away in good form to grab a cab back to Min Buri.

2022-23 Season

Port FC 0 Lamphun Warriors 0

Thai League 1 - Sunday 14th August 2022

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 6,065 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

This was more like it, at least pre-match, as the full fan zone had reopened and a full capacity was available. The club had decided to charge just 50 THB a ticket for the first half of the season, as well as removing seats in areas where the most vocal fans congregated.

There was no shortage of encouragement for Port, but the performance failed to live up to expectations and had to thank their keeper Worawut Srisupa for making some excellent saves as Warriors nearly took all three points in their first game at the top level of Thai football.

A good day for me, as I had been to a decent Thonburi League clash between Thaispirit and FC Bangsaotong with my friend Vaughan and his son Pat before they dropped me in town. The slow but cheap 519 took me back to my local bar after the game.

Port FC 1 Bangkok United 1

Thai League 1 - Sunday 2nd October 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 4,199)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,199 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

I had considered heading to Chamchuri United v Samutsakon City in advance of this fixture, but tiredness ruled it out. Instead, the direct 519 bus dropped me outside the PAT to collect my pre-paid 50 Baht ticket, just as it started tipping down thirty minutes before the 6pm kick off.

Fortunately, a poncho seller was on hand, making quick sales. A couple of beers and then inside. Port played pretty well against a decent United side. going ahead five minutes before the break when referee Chaireag Ngam-Som awarded a debatable penalty.

Hamilton stepped to slot the spot kick home past keeper Michael Falkesgaard. The man in the middle had an indifferent game but probably got the big calls about right. After the break, Vander Luiz levelled things up after an hour and then antagonised the home fans with his over-the-top celebrations.

The pattern of the match would change halfway through the second period when, after a check of the VAR monitor, home defender Suphanan Bureerat was correctly shown a straight red card after bringing down a United forward on his way to goal.

There followed a fine back-to-the-wall display from Cooper’s side that would have ended in certain defeat before his arrival. Port even strung a few promising attacks of their own together, but couldn’t find a way through.

United had the majority of possession but were either wasteful or came up against resilient defending. A draw was the right outcome. At full time, I headed through the market and caught the bus back to Minburi in time to catch some Premier League football.

Port FC 3 Sukhothai 0

Thai FA Cup Round of 64 - Wednesday 2nd November 2022 (att: 2,654)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,654 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

I arrived at this cup tie with Marco, and Jim, who runs the Port FC Sambapit Twitter feed by Grab taxi, after we had been to the earlier match at Samut Prakhan Stadium for the match in the same round between FC Bangsaotong and Uthai Thani.

Our driver had worked the oracle, and we arrived in time for a beer. The match followed the pattern of a normal Port game. Lots of possession and pretty football, but chances went begging and the lack of someone being able to strike on target from the edge of the box.

Indeed, with the frustration growing, I popped down to buy my round for the boys when I heard a cheer from the stands. Teerasak Poeiphimai scored in first-half stoppage time. At the break, I had a lovely chat with an elder Port fan, Geoff, who supports Watford back home, with our subject for ten minutes or so being Luther Blissett.

In a good mood anyway, this chat brought a smile to my face as we swapped ends after the break, which seemed rather apt after talking about a football legend of yesteryear. There was something of a festival atmosphere among the crowd as Port laid siege to the Sukhothai goal.

The score was doubled after sixty-six minutes when “the Brazilian Andy Carroll”, otherwise known as Hamilton, scored. Towards the end of the match, I decided to go upstairs, down the side for another view and to see what my missed calls were all about.

My good lady Taew had been trying to reach me, as it transpired that a random English bloke had turned up in her bar. I told her to ask him to hold on, and I would get a taxi back rather than the bus, just as Poeiphimai rounded off the scoring.

The fella lived in Phuket but was in the capital when his wife gave birth to their first child prematurely in Nawamin 9 Hospital opposite the bar. He had gone in to try and relax, have a drink, and eat. I was enormously proud, but in no way shocked, that Taew had made his experience so happy.

If I had been in a good mood previously, then this put the icing on the cake, as we shared a couple more drinks before he headed back to see his tired lady, who would be transferred to a hospital with their child in Nonthaburi the following day.

Port FC 2 Nakhon Ratchasima 0

Thai League 1 - Saturday 12th November 2022

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 3,118 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

My next visit to the PAT allowed me to partake in one of my favourite pastimes and introduce friends to the experience for the first time. My pal Gary was down from Buriram and had wanted to tick BG Stadium off his list, but their game against Kawasaki Frontale in the J League Asia Challenge was a surprising sellout.

He pondered while we had drinks after the Samut Prakan City v Rajpracha match the previous evening, before he agreed to go with me. We met at The Mall Bangkapi before taking the boat down the Saen Saep and had lunch at The Sportsman on Soi 13.

The pub was packed, predominantly with Kiwis as New Zealand were playing England in the final of the women’s Rugby World Cup. Some of the loud cheering was enough after food and a pint, so we headed instead to Lek’s Last Stand on Sukhumvit Road.

We were joined by Andy Crossland and his pal Steve from Sunderland, though now a resident in Beverley, for a pint before we went to The Clubhouse, where Gary was meeting some Port fans he knew, but who weren’t going to the match. From there, it was a taxi to the stadium.

My friends really enjoyed the fan zone outside. My pal Marco had done the business, purchasing the 50 Baht tickets in advance, and we were sorted with a table and chairs as the staff of one outlet did their best to offer wonderful customer service.

There was additional interest in the clash with former Scarborough goalkeeper Kevin Blackwell in charge of Nakhon Ratchasima. His grey hair must have gone white as his side put in what was a generally hapless display as we stood behind the goal.

After lots of possession and missed opportunities, Port eventually went ahead just past the half-hour mark through Bordin Phala. Visiting defender Charlie Clough was taking plenty of banter from some of the expats in the home end and was giving as good as he got.

At the interval, we returned to our table, which was waiting and reserved for us, with our drinks arriving quicker than for those who were queuing over the fence. We ensured that a tip was left for our helpful assistant.

The second half was typical of Port. On top, but slowly defending deeper and inviting pressure. I would have had a decent bet on them conceding, but a woeful Korat team could not take advantage. Hamilton put the game to bed with four minutes remaining.

The couple staying in town suggested we hang around and take advantage of such a welcome as we sat down once again for a couple more beers before we waved farewell while Gary and I headed back to Minburi by taxi.

Port FC 2 Nongbua Pitchaya 1

Thai League 1 - Sunday 19th February 2019

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,451 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

My life was moving on at full pace, with it being likely that this would be my last chance of a home game for some time, with so much future time to be spent in the northeast of Thailand. I was determined to make the most of it.

The ideal day after a lie-in commenced with an early lunch chim chum at one of our favourite alfresco restaurants in Lam Lu Ka, with Taew’s sister and family. The food was top-class as ever before. I was dropped off on the main road, ready to have fun.

A minivan dropped me at the Khu Khot BTS station, from where travel was still free as far as Mo Chit. I took full advantage by taking it all the way to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, where I swapped to the MRT a short walk away at Phahon Yothin, where the subway took me to Phra Ram 9.

I needed some electrical equipment, and I had read that Fortune Town was the place to go. I got one item and met with Port pal, Marco, before returning to the train to get out at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

We were early enough, so we wandered past Khlong Toei Market to visit Big C before wandering to PAT Stadium to grab our 50 Baht tickets, which were exceptional value. Within minutes, we were enjoying the same excellent hospitality as on my previous visit.

The fan zone had really upped its game in this department, and there was a real carnival atmosphere around the place. The staff set us up a table, which was handily placed near a table of locals, where one played old indie and Britpop classics, which set the mood perfectly.

It seemed a shame to have to go into the game, such fun we had, chatting with other Port fans, drinking, and listening to the music. We headed to Zone D as Port unusually kicked towards the east end of the ground in the first half.

The first half was a familiar story to the regulars. Lots of possession, far too many passes and frustration as the opponents packed their defence. Coach Matt Holland had been given the heave-ho after he had replaced Scott Cooper, but not much had changed.

The new men at the helm, ideally without the intervention of owner Madame Pang, were Choketawee Promrut and Surapong Kongthep, who continued to try to fit all the players in, rather than picking the best formation and upsetting one or two.

Shortly before halftime, a shot from the visitors Leon James came back off the post with keeper Somporn Yos motionless. However, the effort had hit the arm of Thiti Thumporn on the way through. After consultation with VAR, referee Warintron Sassadee pointed to the spot, where Alvin Fortes made no mistake.

After a beer and the usual chunter, we swapped ends, as I managed to get to the back among locals intent on getting behind the team. Port probed and manufactured a great opportunity when Pakorn Prempak got to the byline and crossed, only for Bordin to head wide with the goal gaping with fifteen minutes remaining.

Five minutes later, a deep corner was headed down, resulting in a scramble. The ball landed at the feet of Hamilton, who cleverly put the ball home among the mayhem. The cheers had hardly died down when Port scored what would be the winner.

A quick short corner saw Martin Steuble put in a cross that the unmarked Teerasak headed in at the near post. The place went berserk, and for the closing minutes, the hosts were a different side, Hamilton suddenly becoming unplayable.

The celebrations continued outside. I was asked to join the table where the excellent DJ and his gang shared beers with me as we made friends. I tried speaking my limited Thai, but I was told by the selector of songs that it would be easier if we spoke in English! 

He had learned his music from working and studying in Oxford, London, and Eastbourne. His lovely wife arrived after a couple of beers. I video-called Taew to let her know I was OK during several of the sing-alongs that ensued before it was time for a taxi home.

A fantastic day out, but I knew about it the following day, especially during the long drive to Sisaket.

2023-24 Season

Port FC 2 BG Pathum United 3

Thai League 1 - Saturday 2nd December 2023) Thai League 1 (att: 5,862)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 5,862 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

An astonishing match at the PAT Stadium in Khlong Toei, and right up there with anything I’ve ever seen in the Land of Smiles as the third-placed hosts took a 2-0 lead before the second-placed visitors scored three times in the final fifteen minutes to snatch victory.

There was nothing between the sides in the opening exchanges, though if anything, BGPU looked the more likely side to break the deadlock with Sarach Yooyen pulling the strings in midfield. Suphanan Bureerat put Port ahead after twenty-seven minutes, cutting in inside the box to beat keeper Kittipong Poothawchuek at his near post with a low drive.

The lead was doubled five minutes later by Pakorn Parmpak, whose drive was deflected over the stranded goalie, but not before the home side had a shot handled near the goal line. Surely VAR was ready and waiting to intervene if the later shot hadn’t gone in.

Charlie Clough at the heart of the Port defence was putting in a real shift, while custodian Samporn Yos pulled off a couple of top stops before the break. After the interval, BGPU intensified their play gradually, while Port relied on sporadic breaks.

Some home fans blamed the tactics of coach Rangsan Vivatchaichok in his first home game in charge, but his side was up against quality opposition in my opinion. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up in such cases.

I was recording live snippets to be edited for our Podcast, and said with twenty minutes to go that either side could win. Eventually, Pathum pulled a goal back through a howitzer from the edge of the box from Freddy Alvarez. The pressure continued to mount. In the end, it was a VAR decision that created the equaliser.

Nobody had any real idea what it was for, but once again, a Thai controller was desperate to make themselves noticed. Teerasil Dangda slotted home the spot kick. The legendary veteran scored the winner when he collected a low cross on the edge of the box.

The video report for A Thai Football Podcast

He used all his skill before bending an absolute beauty into the top corner in the fourth of seven minutes of additional time. He is still the best player in Thailand, and I never tire of watching him. It also helped that it was a brilliant day surrounding the match.

My wife accompanied me as we were meeting friends still over from the Chiang Mai cricket the previous weekend. Dave, an Aussie who supports AFC Wimbledon and his good lady Michele live in Hull. We had lunch near Asoke at Suda Restaurant, where our guests rated the food more highly than Taew.

There was time for another beer at Buddy's Bar & Grill, a pleasant enough American-style establishment at the end of Soi 20, before taking a cab to the stadium. Our driver tried taking us to the main entrance, maybe thinking we were VIP, but I soon put him right.

Our friends loved every minute of the fans’ experience outside with the many food and drink stalls, all at prices cheaper than ordinary bar prices. As Michele said, “It’s just like Hull fair without the rides!” It is the best fan zone in the country and Bangkok’s best beer garden on a matchday, again in my opinion.

I’d contacted my local friend from my previous visit in the morning, and he said a stall owner would queue for our tickets to ensure we didn’t have any inconvenience and were guaranteed to get in. The match was just about sold out. There was a 50 Baht surcharge on each one, but we considered it money well spent.

Inside, totally by chance, we were in with those we’d been drinking with. It was as raucous an atmosphere as I had been in at the PAT. Real passion, old school abuse of opponents and officials, with my life smiling wryly at some of the insults being hurled.

We returned after the game to the fan zone for more music, beer, and snacks, making more friends along the way. Home by 11pm, totally knackered and ready for a good kip before our internal flight back to Isan the following morning.

Port FC1 Trat 0

Thai League 1 - Saturday 24th February 2024

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,118 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

A lovely weekend in the centre of the capital, meeting up with a group of mates from Scarborough who were over on a short break as well as catching up with other friends near our Minburi condo earlier in the week.

The match itself was entertaining enough fare, with the visitors second from bottom and Port in third going into the game. After a slow start, the home side got their act together and put a lot of pressure on the Trat defence. Bordin missed a sitter before Pathompon scored what would turn out to be the only goal after nineteen minutes.

Trat recovered after what looked like it might have to be a case of damage limitation following the goal and put together some good moves of their own, with Lidor Cohen a handful upfront. After the interval, huge gaps appeared at either end on a hot evening.

Somporn in the home net pulled off a couple of saves, one an amazing one-handed stop while a visiting player missed a sitter and found the outside of the post. The hosts were guilty of over-elaborating on several occasions while there was always a chance of the away side snatching a point. It wasn’t to be.

Opposite centre backs, Charlie Clough for Port and Jorge Filippe for Trat, both had excellent games with their reading of things and putting to use their huge physical presence.

As ever the match was just part of the experience. Officially a Buddha Day in Thailand with the sale of alcohol strictly prohibited, so my local contact gave us the beer outside in the fans zone as a gift and I transferred him the cash later. Fair to say my guests enjoyed the experience with the food stalls, enjoying brisk trade from some of them.

I had managed to sort a Grab minibus to the stadium from the hotel, which made life immeasurably easier as my wife and perplexed driver sat in the front without a hope of deciphering the chat in the back. I struggled at times to be fair.

The three Scarborough Athletic directors were astonished at the lack of health and safety regulations both inside and outside the stadium when recalling some of the hoops the club had to jump through for a license and meet league regulations. Thank goodness we have no graders here and people act in a way so that they don’t put others at risk. It’s a huge help.

It’s probably as well that I took them to one of the better venues in the Thai League. Several complained about sore behinds after sitting on metal steps for the match. They must be getting soft on the North Yorkshire Riviera.

No booze in the bars in town so we hung around for ninety minutes to finish off supplies and so that I could finish stuff for the weekly Thai Football Podcast while shirts were swapped between a couple of fans and following a scarf been given to our chief host and DJ.

Back in town, it was quite amusing to see lots of sober farang cuddling a coke or water while watching the 3pm games from England. It gave Taew and me a good excuse to head off to our hotel, which was not our original booking, but which we were upgraded to owing to issues at our original choice.

Sunday morning, Andy and I did a 10km walk in the city, followed by lunch and beers with my fair lady in The Sportsman and then an excellent meal in TK in Terminal 21 on Sukhumvit. I knew that a big night was ahead so I ate plentifully!

A surprise was in store for Taew after cocktails in a wonderful Salvador Dali-inspired wine bar, as we were treated to a couple of bottles of top-quality red wine on the forty-ninth-floor open-air rooftop bar, with Andy offering his best wishes on our married life.

As the sun set over the City of Angels, it was as close to perfect as possible, with the DJ knowing exactly what feel-good tunes should be played for that atmosphere. Later, we headed for a lively late evening in an entertainment zone while catching up with the others, some on their first visit to the city, who fell instantly in love with it.

The eight-hour train journey back to Sisaket on Monday morning was not a thing of beauty. All worth it, and another brilliant weekend with football and great company. I was alerted to our posse being on the live TV coverage at the match, and I managed to grab a screenshot on the app when we returned home.

2024-25 Season

Port FC 4 Sukhothai 1

Thai League 1 - Tuesday 27th August 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 4,076)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,076 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

The early-season optimism, which is often missing in the New Year, was still abundant as I arrived at the PAT following a fantastic weekend break in Koh Chang for the annual Beach Cricket Tournament. I travelled by bus, boat, and train to arrive with time to spare.

A young pair had remarkably ridden by bicycle from Chesterfield to Bangkok for charity, and I had followed their progress online. A few messages connected us, as they were also heading to the game. We managed to hook up before going in to see Port put their hapless visitors to the sword.

Within sixteen minutes, goals from Bordin and then Isaac Honny had put the hosts in command. At the interval, I introduced the travellers and their friends to Yow, my local DJ friend, who did so much to make all my mates so welcome. They thought it was amazing, and we arranged to reconvene after the game.

Teerasak came off the bench to add a third five minutes from time before Sukhothai's travelling support had something to cheer about with a goal from Matheus Fornazari. Teerasak finished things off in stoppage time.

As ever, I was contemplating the slow journey back to Minburi while getting involved in a rather sociable after-match gathering. Enter Yow and his good lady, who spoke to Taew on the phone and explained the situation and that they were driving me home later.

New fans join the party

I was chauffeured back in the huge car as Yow pulled down a screen showing match highlights and gave me a cold beer from the fridge as his good lady sailed up the highway to deliver me to my front door. Incredible kindness and a great way to round off a wonderful few hours.

Port FC 2 Nongbua Pitchaya 1

Thai League 1 - Sunday 1st December 2024

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 3,350 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

Back in the capital after visits by plane north to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, Taew and I caught up with friends. I’d invited Mark Wise, an Oxford United, Bangkok teaching friend, along to see how he compared Port to his enjoyable visit to BGPU the previous season.

We met at Bangkapi and took trains down to Khlong Toei before sitting in the fan zone to enjoy refreshments. Yow was late and had enjoyed quite a sociable afternoon by the looks of things as we chatted away with fans gathering outside.

There had been a bit of turmoil at port where the wheels had predictably come off after a fantastic start to the season. Coach Rangsan resigned and then reappeared. His side still played some lovely football without having the killer touch to put away teams as they should have been doing.

On this occasion, they failed to breach the Nongbua backline who defended resolutely with Jorge Fellipe putting in a great shift. The visitors withstood all that was flung in their way before taking the lead with a well-crafted goal which was finished with aplomb by Marcus Haber after seventy-two minutes. It was fair enough on the balance of play.

However, Port got straight back into it a couple of minutes later when Lonsana Doumbouya rose to powerfully head home from a corner. The hosts piled on the pressure, creating a grandstand finish in front of us. With just a couple of minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Teerasak scored the winner.

It had been an entertaining game and as ever a top social occasion. I was unable to hang around after the match, so Mark and I eventually managed to get a cab to take us back along Ramkhamhaeng Road where we parted ways.

Mark went home while I went to a superb outdoor Isan restaurant on Panya Indra Road to meet Taew and Thai friends, including the owner. It was well into the early hours when we eventually got home. A top day indeed.

Port FC 1 Khon Kaen United 2

Thai League 1 - Wednesday 15th January 2025 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,317 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

The match and my feelings are summed up in this article titled, A Funny Kind of Love. Port FC and I.

Port FC 3 Ratchaburi 3

Thai League 1 - Friday 24th January 2025

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 3,538 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

An astonishing game of football that somehow managed to rack up eighteen minutes of VAR reviews. The away side thought that they'd gone ahead, but the goal from Jakkaphan Kaewprom was chalked off for offside by VAR, according to those watching on TV without conclusive evidence.

Gabriel Mutombo put Ratchaburi ahead after thirty-seven minutes, with the excellent Japanese star Tatsuya Tanaka doubling the advantage. Lonsana Doumbouya pulled one back in additional stoppage time before the break. The two-goal advantage was regained three minutes after the resumption as Tanaka struck again.

The Port defence was a shambles for the second home game in succession, but going forward, they weren’t so bad. Noboru Shimura scored a wonderful header, but VAR again intervened to spoil the celebrations. However, there was nothing the faceless crew in the truck could do to disallow a goal from Chalermsak Aukkee.

The entertainment was nonstop as play went from one end to the other. Port continued throwing caution to the wind. Eventually, their efforts paid off when the ever-petulant Jonathan Khemdee clearly handled a deep cross in the area, though once again it took a lengthy VAR delay to reach the correct decision.

The match is featured as part of my video production

Substitute and new signing Peniel Mlapa stepped up to slot away the resulting penalty. He flattered to deceive throughout his cameo and missed a great chance to grab the winner in the time that had been added on. A real thriller of a match, all told.

A real adventure as I took a new air-conditioned bus to the PAT, trying to engage in conversation in Thai with a man and his wife, also heading to the game, who revealed, five minutes from our destination, that they were Chinese. No wonder they didn’t speak much.

A proper drink, as ever, followed by the usual nightmare of getting home. It was well worth it, at least until I awoke on Saturday morning.

2025-25 Season

Port 3 Ayutthaya United 1

Thai League 1 - Sunday 17th August 2025) Thai League 1 (att: 6,250)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 6,250 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)

I managed to blow away my cobwebs from the previous evening, which included Muanthong United v Sukhothai and then a lengthy drink in Minburi. I made my way into the city, dropping Taew at our friends' in the taxi before I got out at Bangkapi. 

Canal boat and MRT to Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, the nearest station to the PAT Stadium, were taken to get to the PAT early to buy my tickets. This, in hindsight, turned out to be an excellent decision, as I was away again in a few minutes. 

My destination to fill in time was Hua Lamphong Railway Station, the traditional old terminus in the city, now succeeded in terms of long-distance and most other services by Krung Thep Aphiwat, or Bang Sue as it is sometimes known. The two are like comparing old and new Wembley.

If you enjoy history, or might be interested in railway nostalgia and how Bangkok used to be, a visit is recommended. Perhaps this video on my YouTube Channel might whet your appetite?

Hua Lamphong launched the Thai League season with an occasion shown on TV as the sponsors were introduced along with representatives of every club wearing their home and away kits. I was popping along merely to take some footage to put a YouTube video together for my channel.

On my visit, I was met with dancing and a live jazz band on the concourse, which was a pleasant surprise, as were the steam trains on the platforms. The video I made for my YouTube Channel as an introduction to the Thai League season, featuring the iconic station, can be enjoyed here. 

Back at the stadium, a free rock concert and stage were being set up, blocking the main gate entrance to the complex. Queues, meanwhile, for match tickets were huge. Port had adopted Chang as beer sponsor, meaning no other beer options, which was massively unpopular, not least through its connection to the hugely disliked Buriram United. 

I like several others, took a carry-out with me from 7/11, with some expats sticking to water, unthinkable at a Port home game, which is the best beer garden in Bangkok for atmosphere. I got a few looks, perhaps through a certain degree of envy as I swigged my cans of IPA.

Port were 3-0 up after half an hour against a team I suspect will finish bottom despite them scoring the goal of the game near the end. I was joined by Gian, a lovely fella I was meeting for the first time. He's a fellow contributor to A Thai Football Podcast, and a Muangthong fan, traditionally Port's biggest rivals. 

The video I made over the weekend of the rivalry between Port and Muangthong United is below. He accepted my invite but didn’t massively enjoy the experience. It was an impressive display from the hosts in a dangerously packed stadium with no aisles or room to get in or out. It was like going back to the 70s in England, minus the violence. 

It was made worse as fans tried to leave at the end, riding motorbikes through the crowds, while others came in the other direction when hearing about the free gig. It was incredible, at least in my eyes, that there was no major incident. Although I did see a woman pummelling hell out of a bloke after a traffic accident outside.

It was the usual nightmare getting back. This time it was an underground train, a monorail, and then a taxi. It took me well over two hours for the twenty-mile journey. Hopefully, the Orange Line from Minburi would soon sort out such issues, with the line also having a dedicated stop serving Rajamangala National Stadium.