Khon Kaen United FC
Ground: Khon Kaen PAO Stadium
Capacity: 6,500
Club Founded: 2014
League: Thai League 2 (current level)
From humble beginnings to becoming a force in Thai football, Khon Kaen United FC has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the league system. Representing the heart of Isan, the club has built a passionate following and established itself on the national stage.
Khon Kaen United - The Early Years
The club was founded in competition with the longer-established Khon Kaen FC. The new club was awarded a place in the third-tier Division 2 Northeast of the Thai League in 2015, under coach Thongchai Sukkoki. A 4-1 playoff 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.
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.
Recovery after a Criminal Enquiry
By now, they had moved into the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organisation (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 scored the goals as the 'King Cobras' went all the way to the playoff final, which ended in an aggregate defeat to Nakhonpathom United. However, the team was promoted and began to attract larger support in its home city.
By now, they had moved into the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organisation (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 scored the goals as the 'King Cobras' went all the way to the playoff final, which ended in an aggregate defeat to Nakhonpathom United. However, the team was promoted and began to attract larger support in its home city.
Promotion to the Top-Flight
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. Khon Kaen United appointed Sugao Kambe as coach for the 2020-21 campaign. Nakhonpathom United were defeated in the playoffs to seal promotion.
Now, as a top-flight club, competing in Thai League 1, Ibson Melo helped consolidate their status, with Carlos Eduardo Parreira appointed as head coach. 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.
Now, as a top-flight club, competing in Thai League 1, Ibson Melo helped consolidate their status, with Carlos Eduardo Parreira appointed as head coach. 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.
Back Down to Thai League 2
Ekalak Thong-am and then Tana Chanabut took charge of the team as Brenner top-scored for United. Srdan Trailovic arrived as the new team boss in September 2024. The Serbian lasted a couple of months before being replaced by Patipat Rorbru, whose side was relegated at the end of the season.
Pipob On-Mo was appointed in charge of the team, lasting just six months before being replaced by Thirasak Pho-on.
My visit
Khon Kaen United 0 Nakhonpathom United 0
Thai League 1 - Friday 20th September 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 2,246)
👨👨👧👧 2,246 🎟️ 140 THB (£3.20)
A Quality Day
This was a fun-packed day from the moment we left our Sisaket home. My wife Taew drove us to the city, where we booked into the Ingtara Hotel for the night. We enjoyed a fine meal at a favourite chain restaurant, involving plenty of adventure as we tried to find a parking spot.
We met our friends Dale and Nui at the hotel's rooftop bar as the weather began to close in. A Grab taxi took us to the stadium, where vendors were struggling in the weather. We met Lyle, a regular contributor to A Thai Football Podcast, along with his wife and friends.
Friends Reunited
We were introduced by Lyle's wife and the travelling Nakhonpathom supporters, who were sheltering from the rain under the overhang of the stands. They seemed in very good spirits, having obviously enjoyed several drinks on their journey north.
Our ladies decided we were OK to go on the open terrace. The ticket was pricey at 160 Baht, while drinks were 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.
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| Lyle and Dale chew the fat. |
Why I Fell in Love
There are occasions when I head to a game, and I am reminded of when I fell in love with football. It's when conditions were treacherous, but the match went on regardless, cheered on by passionate fans. This occasion took me back.
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 team 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.
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 team 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 spilt 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.
Sensible Ladies
Taew won some kind of stuffed cushion toy in the halftime draw. The ladies headed off to the far side to collect the prize, and were not seen again. They used their common sense and stayed under the cover downstairs.
Dale, via a brolly, and I, wearing a poncho, had 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.
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| Star Raffle Prize |
A Friday Night in Khon Kaen
A live musician was very amiable. It led to an extremely long evening involving playing pool and singing karaoke. Badly. Our carriage took us away at 3am. While we had lots of fun, my good lady and I appeared late on parade the following morning.
A live musician was very amiable. It led to an extremely long evening involving playing pool and singing karaoke. Badly. Our carriage took us away at 3am. While we had lots of fun, my good lady and I appeared late on parade the following morning.
A delicious khao man gai meal at a restaurant near the hotel helped put us right. We then travelled to our friend's house, before heading on to the Nongbua Pitchaya v Uthai Thani
match.
Further Viewing
If you have enjoyed reading this article, you might wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles. It includes my 2018 tour of Isan, featuring my first visit to Khon Kaen.
