Pattani FC is a professional football club from the Thai southern city of the same name. The ‘Queen Cannons’ were formed in 2009, being admitted into the Regional League Division 2 Southern Region, playing home games at Pattani Municipal Stadium.
The side
finished fourth in their debut season, and then one place higher in 2011. A
runners-up spot ensued in 2012, with Al Hadji Adamou putting away the goals. Ahmed
Toota and then Ahmed Kodmany thrilled the home fans before Elvis Job became the
top scorer for two seasons.
That helped Pattani to another second place in 2015. The Thai League system was reorganised for the 2017 season, with the club being placed in Thai League 4 South. Ibrahim Dicko led the scoring chart, which ended in second place. Any chance of promotion was ended in the playoffs by Grakcu Sai Mai United.
Another second regional finish and Champions League playoffs followed in 2019, which ended in promotion partly through the goals of Georgi Tsimakuridze, leading to a place in Thai League 3, However, COVID-19 would then intervene.
Again, the Thai League decided to restructure and follow the European football calendar for the 2020-21 campaign. Chakris Tiaiadyo would lead the scoring for the next two seasons as Pattani found themselves competing in Thai League 3 South.
A couple of disappointing seasons ensued, with the side being led by Maka Hoprasartsuk before he was replaced in the summer of 2021 by Banpot Chaichanadet. Sathot Bensoh was appointed ahead of the 2022-23 season before the arrival of Teeratada Chamrus after the midseason break.
The goals of Pithak Abdulrahman helped the Gunners to the fourth spot before they improved by one place a year later under head coach Damian Bellon, as Natan Oliveira scored twenty goals. By now, improvements and a name change saw the Rainbow Stadium being rechristened.
A trio of Brazilians looked to push Pattani towards the playoff places in 2024-25. Pattarapol Naprasart was put in charge of the team before he was replaced by Nirun Assawapakdee at the halfway mark of the season.
The Queen Canons reached the playoffs, where they won promotion with a two-legged win against North Bangkok University to reach the second level of Thai football for the first time. Two capacity crowds showed signs of great potential. Harnarong Chunhakunakorn came in as head coach soon into the 2025-26 campaign.
Pattani FC will play in the Thai League 2 in the 2025-26 season.
My visit
Friday 3rd January 2025
The latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand with my wife, her cousin and his family provided me with an opportunity to call into the Rainbow Stadium to take some photos. It wasn’t in the plans when we set out in the car heading towards Betong, but things changed thanks to a conversation.
I mentioned that if we stayed again in Hat Yai, I’d take the train to watch a game in Pattani. However, Taew had different thoughts on the matter, as she said it was not advisable to travel independently without local guidance.
The south of Thailand had been embroiled in tensions for a couple of decades or more, with bombings and terrorist attacks still taking place. We therefore made a compromise, with Q our guide driving me to the venue. It was probably not an appropriate time to mention our previous away trips in the 80s to the likes of Millwall, Leeds, Stoke, and Middlesbrough, so I kept quiet.
It was quite a nice venue, even if similar to many provincial stadia around the country. Paintwork alone had clearly lifted what is otherwise an open bowl. One side had a roof over the seats, with the rest being open to the elements.
Delighted at the chance to visit a vibrant stadium, it was time to get back underway, continuing on to discover more of the region and its surroundings.
