SPA Srongpol

SPA Srongpol is an amateur football club based in the Thailand capital of Bangkok who were formed in 2020. The club is connected to the company of the same name that specialises in accounting, administration, and office services.

The team joined as members of Division Four of the Bangkok Premier League, playing home league matches at Bhutthi Anant Sports Center under head coach Phichai Piyapiwat. The club moved to Grand Keeper Football Stadium on Hathai Rat Road in Sam Wa for the 2022 campaign.

The club decamped from their home on Hathai Rat for the 2023-24 campaign, after previously adding hoarding and advertising banners. Home games were played at Bang Sao Thong Football Stadium as the side settled into life in Division 2 following a reorganisation of the competition.

The competition was reduced in size in 2024-25 with Srongpol remaining members despite victories being extremely rare.

SPA Srongpol will play in the Bangkok Premier League in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Grand Keeper Football Stadium

SPA Srongpol 3 Nonthaburi City 3 (Thursday 9^th December 2021) Friendly (att: c20)

I had arrived to start a new life in Thailand the previous week and was gradually getting used to living in Minburi in the eastern suburbs of Bangkok. It was the middle of an international break for matches in the AFC Suzuki Cup so I thought I might have to wait for live football.

With nothing to lose I appealed to some fans of Thai football, I follow on Twitter to try and source something. I received a reply from Svein, a Norwegian supporter of Bangkok United which would open up opportunities I never knew existed.

He suggested checking out the Bangkok Premier League on Facebook. There was a match advertised the following day, so I asked the question if spectators were allowed to attend, bearing in mind some restrictions still in place owing to COVID.

Within minutes, Chai the Srongpol coach got in touch and told me that I was welcome. Even better was that the match was taking place just three miles from my apartment. I was as excited as a kid at Christmas, which was convenient for the time of year.

Thursday evening arrived and after a dire second day of the Ashes cricket on TV I headed over the bridge at the end of my road to await the 197 bus which would drop me nearby to the Grand Keeper Ground.

I waited and waited even longer until it was apparent that I was going to have to grab a taxi to the game. Fortunately, this is never a problem in Bangkok. They are plentiful and good value. I arrived at the ground around ten minutes before the 8pm kick-off.

Grand Keeper’s pitch was surrounded by high netting held up on the wooden floodlight pylons. It had a smaller pitch in use behind the entrance end goal, where there was also a small cover to accompany the snack bar. The main tenant of the ground appeared to be Khlong Samwa FC.

Along the roadside of the venue were small changing facilities behind a small cover, where I grabbed a plastic chair. Either side was two covers, which I guess could be both for substitutes and coaches and spectators. The ground was surrounded by trees and bushes.

Chai spotted me and came across and said hello. He had asked me if I wanted a trial for the team when we spoke online. I think he now realised why I declined. A couple of decades earlier I’d have jumped at the opportunity, but I knew my limits.

Both sides would use lots of players throughout the friendly, with rolling subs being implemented. The away side took the lead on fourteen minutes against the run of play. It was nearly two, but a shot went wide across the goal.

Srongpol’s farang goalie tipped a shot over from a Nonthaburi forward, whose side played in green with no numbers, while the officials were in bright orange. Both sides wore sleeveless training tops. Which made sense in the heat which was in the early 20’s.

The equaliser arrived when SPA’s 42 set up number 44 to slot home midway through the first half. Nonthaburi were getting through the host's high line offside trap regularly. Srongpol’s western defender wearing the 67 shirt was composed on the ball if he did overplay at times.

City missed another good chance in a game played in excellent spirit with no dissent. It was a similar standard to higher-level local district league football back home. Of course, players of that standard are susceptible to the occasional howler, and so it proved.

Srongpol’s keeper let a seemingly harmless low shot through his grasp and into the net to make it 1-2 a few minutes before the break. However, his side went straight up the other end to level things up as a low cross was deflected past the stranded visiting custodian.

The frenetic end to the half wasn’t over as number 62 pulled a man back in the box. He briefly protested and blamed teammates, but the ref was bang on. The penalty was slotted away for City to head for the interval with a 3-2 lead.

The pace was lesser after halftime, as both coaches made several changes. SPA’s 27 restored parity when he collected a pass on sixty-eight minutes and shot across the goal into the far corner.

Space and time became more prevalent as the match entered its final period. Nonthaburi piled on the pressure but couldn’t find a winner as Srongpol stood firm against a late onslaught. A draw was a fair result.

While I enjoyed the game, it was put in the shade by the kindness and hospitality of Chai and his club as he gave me a team shirt. It looks like I’m now Srongpol’s number 77! Several players also joined in with the general welcome, with some becoming Facebook friends.

After the game, I made the decision to walk home. It took around an hour and was fine aside from the occasional feral soi dogs which gave me a shock at times. At least I found out about several good options for food, drink and nightlife along Hat Yai Road.

The following morning saw me engage in further research, with everyone being most helpful. My love for Bangkok had grown even greater with the realisation that I would not be going short of football to attend and supplement my cricketing activities. I made a mental note that mosquito repellent was a necessary purchase for night football.

Please click here for another SPA Srongpol friendly at the same venue as an ‘away’ side.

Police Ladkrabang

Police Ladkrabang FC is an amateur football club representing the police of the district of Lat Krabang, which is located near Suvarnabhumi Airport. The club became members of the Bangkok Premier League for the 2024-25 season.

The club played their home games in its debut season in the competition at Mitreejitr Stadium, which is also known by its former name of Kade FC Football Field. The team was coached by Nateethorn Buaklee.

Police Ladkrabang FC will play in the Bangkok Premier League in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Police Ladkrabang 3 Nonthaburi City 2 (Sunday 18^th August 2024) Bangkok Premier League (att: c35)

Staying at our condo in Hat Hai Rat in the district of Sam Wa for a few days before heading to the Koh Chang Beach Cricket Tournament, I had a few choices of where to go for my football fix. In the end I think I picked the perfect few hours, but not only because of the football.

As ever, I was keen to add to the list of grounds where I had seen a game take place. My attention was caught when checking the league Facebook page and seeing this fixture, especially when the ever-helpful competition boss Aeh told me where the venue was. 

As if by chance we passed the main road near to the venue when nearing the end of a nine-hour journey from Sisaket a couple of days earlier. That sealed my decision as I turned down the temptations of some professional encounters. I would not regret it.

I needed some exercise so set out an hour before the 4pm kickoff and decided to walk as far as I could before ordering a Grab taxi at 3.40. This worked perfectly as I sauntered along listening the Greg Davies on Desert Island Discs via the BBC Sounds App, before my car arrived. 

We were in the car park five minutes before the start as I quickly got my bearings and tried to work out the best vantage point to watch from. Many had taken their own folding chairs or had taken advantage of a few benches scattered around the place. I originally sat on the grass behind the high net surrounding the pitch, but the view was poor.

An empty plastic fuel container looked like my salvation as I leant against one of the supporting pillars for the net which also had a floodlight on the top. However, I then spotted some unused benches where a young chap was dusting one down. I beckoned him to help me lift it inside the net where he asked if he could join me. 

The Nonthaburi coach was saying something and presumed he was telling me not to encroach, though the picture would become clearer. Tong, with apologies if I have misspelt his name, had been asked to watch after he’d been in touch with City after asking for a game for them.

He explained that he was a former Academy player with Nakhon Ratchasima and was studying at Thammasat University. He wanted to gain experience in open age football and find a club. I did my best to help with suggestions using my knowledge and contacts as we enjoyed each other’s company while watching the game. 

Tong was intrigued why I was making notes and presumed that I was a scout. I explained my passion for going to games, as it turned out I had a kindred spirit, as he had travelled thirty-seven kilometres on his motorbike. Just the sort of enthusiasm I admire, and thought had died out.

We were treated to a fair old encounter on the pitch too. It was a large playing surface which had suffered from heavy rain in the not-too-distant past, as it cut up in parts. Just the type I used to love playing on in local league football back home. It encouraged endeavour and lots of tackling.

 

The ref let the game flow as both teams gave everything that they’d got. The visitors came close to taking the lead when the Nigerian Emmanuel Mogekwu saw his effort come back off the post before his side took the lead against the hosts who started in a loftier position in the league table.

Ponsri Banpidklang tucked away his shot after a cut back from the Egyptian schemer Osama Abdelaziz after nineteen minutes. The multicultural City line up also included Cameroon defender Mathurin Miendjin who wasn’t the quickest but read the game very well. 

A long ball saw the Police respond, then their leading scorer Suphakit Tangphan collect the pass with keeper Thanapat Phongchaem coming out to meet him. Clever footwork fooled the custodian before the forward finished delightfully into an empty net from wide on the edge of the box right on halftime.

By now Tong had introduced me to his girlfriend in Bang Saen by video call and shown me pictures of his game against India u17s in Korat. He was thrilled when I responded with a photo of me with the Swatcat mascot on my visit as we chatted using a combination of Thai, English and google Translate. 

He asked me what I thought about the standard of the league and where could he get opportunities. He explained that newly promoted Dome FC based at Thammasat were going for players of experience for their T3 campaign. I did my best, while being no expert.

Ponsri saw his cross come back off the bar soon after the restart in what was a very enjoyable game to watch. The linesman near us was large, and obviously enjoying himself judging by the way he chatted with us and smiled constantly. How different to those who seem to go through hell as they are endlessly abused at pro games. 

Ponsri stung the palms of Ladkrabang goalie Chaithawat Ongrab before Thanapat made two fine saves at the other end. Then his side responded to take the lead with a fine counterattack move on sixty-five minutes as Weerayut Kachuwong rounded Chaithawat and then score from the narrowest of angles.

Within a couple of minutes Natthaphon Yenjai had put away a penalty to level things up after a trip by Nyembi Loth had been penalised. Not long after, what seemed like appeals for a certain penalty were waved away by the man in the middle before Suphakit cut inside with seven minutes left on the clock to score the winning goal. 

At fulltime I said goodbye to my new friend, before setting off for another little walk. Lots of pleasant greetings were exchanged when leaving which was continued down the lanes to the hospital where I figured it would be easier to get a taxi. I also discovered that the ground had a small restaurant outside to buy snacks and drinks.

That would have to be for next time. I wanted to get home to enjoy food bought near the condo and then watch the football from the UK over a few beers. A perfect Sunday adventure as I remembered why I loved the glorious game and Thailand in equal huge measures.

Nonthaburi City

Nonthaburi City FC is an amateur football club, established in 2021 and representing the city and district of the same name to the north-west of the Thai capital of Bangkok. City origins come from Yingcharoen FC who were formed 2012 by founder Sirichai ‘Aeh’ Yingcharoen.

The name of Yingcharoen continued in the Bangkok Premier League lower divisions while city took their place for the 2022 season in Division One of the competition, while also competing for a place in Thai League 3 through the 2022 Thailand Amateur League.

The change of club title came about to try and attract local support, though Yingcharoen has been a force since their formation in the amateur game. They reached the qualifying round of the 2014 FA Cup, going out on penalties to Muangkhan United.

The side competed in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region of the 2017 Thailand Amateur League, reaching the group stage. The Coronavirus pandemic put pay to most football at that level before the City name emerged on the other side.

The team played their Bangkok Premier League games at the Royal Irrigation Department football ground in Pak Kret from 2022 after Yingcharoen were based at Phonimit Wittayakom School Stadium. 

They continued to play in the same competition which reduced in size to just one division in 2024-25 at various venues around Pak Kret and Nonthaburi.

Nonthaburi City FC will play in the Bangkok Premier League in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Nonthaburi City 1 Patumkongka 2 (Wednesday 11^th May 2022) Friendly (att: c10) 

A lot of people dismiss Facebook but that form of social media had been invaluable to me since I moved to Bangkok a few months earlier. And this was another such occasion as I spotted this fixture on my morning check.

After a quick confirmation later regarding the venue with Aeh, who mans the City social media, I got on with things and prepared to make the journey by minivan to Pak Kret, which was most convenient.

My mate Steve and I were planning to head there the following morning to do a discovering Bangkok on a budget video. I could double check a couple of things and find out about the Koh Kret ferry for further occasions. 

With some spare time, I had a wander around the area, taking some photos. As it transpires, my research was invaluable as boats only set sail into Bangkok from the pier in the morning rush hour. We would need to head to Nonthaburi instead, but it saved my blushes.

There was till time to walk from below the underpass along Sukkhaprachasan 2 Alley to the Phonimit Wittayakom School Stadium, which took around forty-five minutes including a stop for provisions at a nearby 7/11. 

The ground had a fine raised covered stand on the far side and signs of a disused shale running track around the pitch. I made my way around some very boggy ground. It soon became obvious that the pitch was also carrying some water.

Aeh introduced himself and also revealed that he administers the Bangkok Premier League social media before he went downstairs to organize the team. This would be the third time I’d seen City in action.

My first game since relocation had seen what I presume was a reserve side in action away to SPA Srongpol which can be read about here, and in a Chang League decider against FCB Qons which is here.

 

Looking out where players warmed up, I realised that the pitch was unmarked, with the match officials laying out small intermittent cones to mark its perimeter. The grass could also have done with a good cut, but the venue showed potential with a general tidy-up.

In true Thai fashion, nobody complained and got on with things. It was arranged to give both squads a run out before their forthcoming Thailand Amateur League quarter-final ties the following weekend. The game attracted a few passing diehards who gained free admission.

It proved worthwhile as lots of players got a run out. I found it an enjoyable and pleasant watch. Patumkongka looked the better of the two sides in the opening stages before taking the lead on ten minutes when a cross from number 11 found his teammate 14 at the back post to volley in.

Loud construction works in the school opposite accompanied play for the first period. I wasn’t upset when they stopped. Meanwhile, a drone was being controlled to take some record of the event from in front of the stand.

The earlier scorer came close to doubling the lead but saw his header come back off the crossbar. However, City had promise of their own and drew level when the strong impressive number 9 finished coolly after being set up by number 76.

The ground was near the river, and the dark humid skies for the 4.15 kick-off began to rumble with thunder. Bangkok had been hit with some real tropical storms over the previous week. Surely, we could avoid another.

Both sides made multiple substitutions at halftime with the score at 1-1. The visitors restored their lead in the second period when number 15 capitalised on some dithering among the Nonthaburi defence to score with a low shot.

The game was generally played in an excellent spirit, with players not disputing the awkward decisions the officials had to make without the aid of line markings. In the latter stages, City’s 9 hit the crossbar with a shot that took a slight deflection.

I cut through a gap back to the main road at full time and waited on the other side. On my visits to Pak Kret and on the walk to the ground I’d seen large songthaews on the route. My intuition was right and before long I was in the back of one and being dropped back on Thanon Chaeng Watthana from where a minivan took me home to Minburi.

FC Bangsaotong

 

FC Bangsaotong is a football club from the district of the same name in Samut Prakan, to the south of the Thai capital of Bangkok. FCB to give them their more commonly known name, was formed as QonQuest FC.

The club from Bangkok’s executive class and led by Crispin Francis, a Singaporean who relocated to Bangkok due to work in July 2017, set their sights on promotion to the third tier of Thai football after initially competing in the Bangkok Premier League playing home games at Vichupa Football Field near Ram Intra in Bangkok.

A move to new facilities in Bangsaotong after previously playing home games at saw the change of title in April 2021 as FCB also gained admission into the fourth level Thailand Amateur League. Meanwhile a fourth place in the BPL saw the side gain promotion to Division Two of that competition for the 2021-22 campaign.

FCB set up an academy. Jamie Clarke, a former player with a wealth of experience in English and Scottish professional football was installed as head coach, with Mikel Masabe, a professional in Uganda, Spain and Thailand as his assistant.

FCB finished top of Bangkok Group H in the 2022 Thailand Amateur League, from where they progressed to the knockout stages, which resulted in wins against W&A Bangmot and then Ramkhamhaeng University, with can be read about here.

Bangkapi FC were dispatched on penalties to set up a final against Samutsakhon City, the winners from the Bangkok Perimeter stages. Bangsaotong went down 1-0 to a controversial goal at Thonburi Stadium, which can be read about here, which saw the club fall one game short of promotion to Thai League 3.

The team won promotion to Division 1 of the Bangkok Premier League at the end of the 2021-22 season. Coach Clarke left with Masabe remaining, while second string side TAO Dovechem also achieved success climbing to the second level of that competition.

FC Bangsaotong competed in the Thailand Amateur League in the 2023 season as well as Division 1 of the Bangkok Premier League in 2023-24 where they continued to challenge for honours in 2024-25.

My visits

FCB Qons 2 Nonthaburi City 1 (Tuesday 14^th December 2021) Chang Bangkok League (att: c20) 

I’d only arrived in Bangkok a couple of weeks earlier, but already my knowledge of local football had expanded to include competitions I didn’t even know existed before my departure from blighty.

It was sometimes a confusing business, but many people were extremely helpful on social media answering my queries. I had found the Bangkok Premier League, so I was somewhat baffled when surfing the net, I came across the Chang Bangkok League.

Research showed me that it was a separate competition played midweek with all games hosted by FC Bangsaotong. This was too good an opportunity to turn down, even if getting to the ground by public transport would severely test my resolve. A quick message on Facebook was met with a welcoming prompt reply that spectators were OK to attend.

My morning and early afternoon were spent walking, acquainting myself with Minburi where I was staying and then a bus for a wander round Nawamin Phirom Park by Bangkapi. A walk to The Mall Bangkapi saw me come across a sight from many years earlier. 

The National Housing Association or Khlong Chang Stadium was formerly home to Thai top tier side Osotspa when I took photographs there. The pitch looked to be ready for action, but I didn’t know who played there. Definitely something for further research.

After a meal I set out for the game, some three hours before the 7pm kick off. Thai buses had already shown me the perils of leaving things until the last minute. The 145 service arrived promptly. The conductress nodded that she knew where I wanted and took my 20 Baht fare. 

I’d arranged to give a pal a call back in London, and I thought jumping out early at Seacon Square mall would be a good move. However, the lass in charge wasn’t having this farang getting lost. She was insistent I got off where I’d asked for.

After a nice chat I headed round to the main Chonburi to Bang Na Expressway. Several buses passed. I was getting concerned that mine wouldn’t turn up, despite their being a choice of three. Relief was the overriding emotion when one turned up. 

I have to say seeing the driver and conductor in Santa hats did give me a giggle. I sat back and listened to music while trying to chart my journey. It took getting on for an hour to reach the Banga 2 Hospital stop I required.

The good news was this was the route I’d need to get to top-flight side Samut Prakan City FC. I now knew for next time. The bad news was that this was as close as public transport would take me to my impending match. 

I’ve done a few daft things over the years to reach matches, but what followed was right up there. I walked along the side of a busy road with no footpaths for around 300 metres, sometimes letting scooters by that were travelling in the wrong direction. It wasn’t only me then.

As soon as I got the opportunity, I was off and along a khlong side path. An interesting walk as dusk fell saw me walk past many modest dwellings as locals must have been scratching their heads at a big westerner walking by with a daft grin wearing an old England shirt.

I was not unhappy to see the floodlights of the ground. Nor to see Flags Bistro and Bar, where drinks and food were sold from. A large can of Chang was just what the doctor ordered as I tried to take in my surroundings.

It was obviously a new ground, with the pitch still bedding in. A second pitch was behind one goal, also in use with floodlights. The only real spectator accommodation was down one side, along with changing rooms. It had a low cover with media and VIP facilities upstairs. 

I was trying to determine the best place to watch while passing the players when a north-eastern voice stopped me. “Are you the bloke from Scarborough?” It was player coach and Sunderland lad Jamie Clarke who introduced himself and mentioned he nearly signed for the Seadogs.

His pal, Lee Hall also joined in, while not being too impressed when I asked him if he was a Mackem. An easy mistake to make! Crispin welcomed me and told me I could go upstairs to watch the match for a better view. What wonderful folk.

FCB Qons, one of the club sides, led the table going into this match against Nonthaburi City who sat in second place. It was immediately apparent that this was a very different City line up to the one I’d seen in a friendly against SPA Srongpol a few days earlier. The match was also of a far higher quality.

The intensity was as it should be for such a relatively important game. Jamie Clarke stood out at the back for Qons, while former Hillingdon Borough striker Leon Nelson was a real handful up front, although some of his finishing might have been more precise. 

The hosts had to come from behind to win the game to be crowned as league champions. An unusual feature was that the game was being screened live on Facebook. Nothing too strange in that, but the commentary was over a mic and also transmitted out onto the pitch. I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed that in my playing days.

The result was the right outcome. After the match I grabbed another beer while waiting to have a chat with Jamie. We ended up drinking Chang on the pitch after the game listening to the likes of Oasis, Blur and The Mock Turtles with English and friendly Thai players while talking players.

There was plenty of managers connected to Scarborough football spoken about! I would never have believed it before I set out. Unbelievably there were some Chiang Mai connections too between us. Lovely to meet Jamie Clarke and the gang.

I still had the journey home to negotiate. Lee was taking Jamie back and he kindly gave me a lift to where the main road had pavements after they swerved off for more provisions at a 7/11. I hailed a cab for the rest of the way home. Bang Sao Tong is not an easy place to reach, but I’m glad I made the effort. 

At Samut Prakan Stadium

FC Bangsaotong 0 Uthai Thani 4 (Wednesday 2^nd November 2022) Thai FA Cup Round of 64 (att: 135) 

The biggest day in the history of FC Bangsaotong, at least at that stage of their life, came following a crushing 6-1 win away to Teerachaipallet Samutprakhan in the first round of the FA Cup. Their reward was a tie against high flying Thai League 2 side Uthai Thani.

In the lead up to the game I was in touch with coach Jamie Clarke who said he wasn’t in charge for the game, but he provided me with the details. Unfortunately, the home stadium didn’t offer the requirements for the tie, so it was moved to Samut Prakhan Stadium.

The good news was that a 3pm kickoff allowed the opportunity to head straight to the PAT Stadium at fulltime to see Port take on Sukhothai in another of the round’s matches. By now I was an old hand at getting to the stadium and arrived in good time, via minivan from Minburi and then a bus from Kingkaew Market.

I was in good form when I alighted, as a couple of delightful old girls saw it their duty to make sure that I wasn’t lost and I got off where I needed, and I played along despite knowing exactly where I was. After grabbing some provisions, I headed over the road and exchanged greetings with some of the Bangsaotong fraternity who recognised me.

It was free admission, and nobody bothered to staff the beer stall, which was a slight disappointment. Only the main stand side was open, with the FCB section taken up of players relatives, friends, coaches doing scouting and a few neutral groundhoppers.

Marco, a Port fan who had become a matchday companion, joined me along with Jim, who runs the Port FC Sambapit Twitter feed for ex-pats, who I met for the first time. We had a good chat about many subjects while enjoying a half decent game in which FCB gave a good showing.

 

While having plenty of possession, they failed to create too many scoring opportunities and looked more rushed on the ball than their fulltime opponents, which could only be expected, with Jiramet Dalunphan looking tricky for the “home” side.

The visitors took the lead on fourteen minutes when a low cross from Nontapat Naksawat was acrobatically volleyed in by Brazilian forward Carlos Damian. Adefolarin Durosinmi had a decent chance to double the lead, but his side footed effort was saved by Thanakon Phlailahan in the FCB goal.

The impressive Kuatrakul Kwankua saw his shot bend away from the target for the hosts, as the game was becoming stretched at an early stage. The teams went down the tunnel with just one goal separating them. We wanted a shock but not one that required extra time!

It was 2-0 after sixty-six minutes as the FCB resistance was gradually worn down after they put in maximum effort trying to engineer an equalizer. Durosinmi set up Nawamin Chaiprasert, whose shot took a deflection on the way in. 

Carlos Damian was very good for Uthai Thani, but also extremely stroppy, continually berating referee Wichate Tainthong, and his colleagues. Head coach Narasak Boonkleng withdrew him with fifteen minutes remaining.

Within sixty seconds his decision was vilified when Piyaruck Kwangkaew saw his attempt come back off a post, with the ball being recycled and the resulting cross being put in by substitute Kento Nagasaki with his first touch.

The lead was extended further as a fine team move with plenty of passing was put in at the back post by Kwangkaew with eight minutes left on the clock. Narakorn Noomchansakul had an effort saved as we hoped that the floodgates would not open.

 

A final Bangsaotong foray saw an over-elaborate move end in Kitthipong Phanna shooting over the bar. We headed for the exit gate as the board for three minutes additional time went up, as Jim’s Grab taxi approached.

FCB had put in an excellent performance and had done themselves proud. If only they had won their playoff final a few months earlier to go up into Thai League 3. Our driver also did himself proud, as we arrived at the PAT with time for a beer before the second game!