Airport Stadium is a football venue on Hathai Rat Road in the north-west Bangkok suburb of Sam Wa. The venue has two pitches, divided by a small couple of stepped covers and is used by multiple clubs in the Bangkok Premier League and Thailand Amateur League.
The venue has a big connection with professional club Chainat United, judging by the memorabilia on display in the smart clubhouse and café. Airport Stadium also has a fine food outlet, cover for spectators as well as a roof terrace.
BT United FC, an academy club formed in 2019 which teaches football, focusing on improving, correcting and developing young players are based at the ground. BT United entered the Thailand Amateur League in 2022, finishing bottom of Bangkok Group E.
I first discovered Airport Stadium for a game in the Bangkok Premier League and was delighted when the ground was chosen as a neutral venue in the 2022 Thailand Premier League.
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Rajdamnern FC 3 Bangkhuntien FC 1 (Sunday 8th May 2022) Amateur League Bangkok Group C (att: c75)
I had embraced the group stages of the 2022 Thailand Amateur League, and fortunately for me, several groups were played the week after the majority. The games were generally played on neutral grounds. Rajdamnern’s group was designated Airport Stadium.
This suited me perfectly, and that of my old pal Steve with its 4pm kick-off. He was busy until 3 before he met me at the bottom of Hathai Rat Road. A taxi was hailed for us to arrive around ten minutes before kick-off. Entry was free, which pleased my mate.
He was further impressed as he was hungry and saw a food counter. A magnificent spicy beef pad kra phao for THB60 for a large portion got a huge thumbs up. We headed upstairs to the balcony and managed to grab a couple of seats at the front.
I had no previous knowledge on either club or team, aside from knowing that Rajdamnern had won their opening game in the group 3-1 against Samutprakarn United, while Bangkhuntien had gone down 2-0 to former Thai League 3 side Look E San.
Rajdamnern started brightly and went 1-0 up on five minutes when a low cross was converted at the back post by Nontaphat Chalee. The side in the striking sky blue, white and red continued to impress.
Despite this, the orange clad Bangkhuntien side showed bright moments in attack as they saw a free kick parried away well by opposing goalie Wachirakarn Duagmak. Order was soon restored as the college team piled on the pressure.
A mixture of poor finishing, near misses and good saves from keeper Natthawut Phubun kept them at bay. Rajdamnern showed fantastic passing and movement and showed signs of playing together regularly, unlike some Amateur League sides.
Credit to Bangkhuntien who stayed in the game when many teams would have been blown away. The stand out players to our eyes were opposing midfielders, Pollapatr Aramrung of Bangkhuntien and scorer Chalee.
Phubun pulled off a great stop to deny Chonlachart Tongjinda as he pushed the effort against the post before performing a save which would delight cameramen everywhere with a spectacular effort that made the crowd chuckle.
At half time Steve went downstairs before returning with coffee and mini Kit Kats telling me the lady running the café used to have a stall near his house and they had a nice chat. She certainly served an excellent Latte.
The lead was doubled two minutes after the interval when a good move was finished with a header at the back post from Sorrayut Jarenpanit. His teammate Noppakhun Yingbamrung was most impressive alongside upfront.
Rajdamnerns football really was pleasing on the eye. Yingbamrung missed a sitter before Phubun provided more dramatics between the sticks. He followed this up by keeping out a header from substitute Tharathep Jaksurang.
We got our wish as neutrals as Bangkhuntien got back into the game. Sub Yodsakon Turongrueang scored with a cool finish after taking a smart return pass from Aramrung foue minutes from the end of normal time.
Was there time for a dramatic draw? It was not to be as two minutes later, another replacement, Wachirawat Chumpon waited at the back post to tap in a pullback from Tongjinda to make it 3-1 and round off the scoring.
It had been an excellent entertaining open match. The winners were very good in patches but taken all the way by good opposition who were slightly lacking in defence. The first class setting also added to the spectacle.
After the game we decided it would be remiss not to call at The Craft House, which we had really enjoyed after a previous SPA Srongpol match. A taxi at the top of the lane soon had us on our way after I had no luck on the Bolt App.
It’s fair to say that we probably overindulged. The bar is not cheap but offers a great range of unusual bottles and cans, including some brewed in Thailand. The plan was to have two or three and head home to watch the 9pm football.
Rajdamnern 1 Phimai United 2 (Saturday 14th May 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Quarter Final (att: c60)
My plan was to return to Airport Stadium the day after the Bangkhuntien game to see Rajdamnern’s match with Look E San. Despite the 1-0 defeat, the technological college team went through as group winners on goal difference.
However, I was back for the doubleheader on a warm Saturday afternoon. I’d already enjoyed the last eight clash, in which Bangkapi, cheered on by a hefty following defeated Patumkongka 2-0.
I’d followed Steve’s advice and gone for the pad kra phao washed down with a can of Leo. If only all venues offered such superb and good value catering. A lot of the crowd dispersed for the second match of the afternoon, meaning it was no problem getting a seat upstairs.
In the early stages, Phimai started well with centre forward Annop Meephu was denied by keeper Duagmak before a long range shot from Tongjinda was easily dealt with by United’s stopper Narubet Thankrathok who sported a big beard.
Rajdamnern continued their policy from the previous week of mixing up smart passing football with shooting on sight. The policy nearly paid off when a shot was blocked by the legs of Thankrathok before Attapol Puangsiraksa cleared off the line from Tongjinda.
While the match was in progress a training session for the youngsters of tenant club BT United was taking place beyond the mini stands on the second pitch. Some of the kids of Bangkapi FC could have done with some involvement rather than becoming a nuisance on the balcony.
Again, Noppakhun Yingbamrung impressed me. In my view, he had real potential as a forward, especially if his finishing improved. However, it would be Phimai who took the lead midway through the half when a cross from Chanon Mothongsri was headed home at the back post by early substitute Chanchai Pitasaya.
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United’s age and experience showed signs of taking effect. They continued to hold Rajdamnern at arm’s length. At the interval, I decided to take a seat on the far side in the small stepped cover. I’m all for kids attending football, but they were bored and becoming annoying.
Rajdamnern began to pile on the pressure after the restart as Phimai defended deeper and deeper. They were undone when the pace of Yingbamrung drew a foul from Kittisak Penchuea in the box.
The striker picked himself up. His spot kick was medium height straight up the middle. Despite Thankrathok diving, he managed to make the save with his feet after fifty-two minutes. United went up the other end with a fine move. Pitasaya saw his weak effort gathered.
The game flowed from end to end. Again, the legs of Thankrathok denied Yingbamrung. However, the equalizer soon followed just short of the hour mark when Tongjinda smartly put away a fine slide rule pass.
The impressive strong Pitasaya came close to restoring his side's lead when he attempted to capitalise on a weak header outside his box from custodian Duagmak. When the game stalled for a drinks break, I chatted with the pleasant nearside linesman.
Referee Kittipong Choolerd could easily have shown Rajdamnern defender Paphinwit Kitiuaonwatthanchai a red card when he pulled down Pitasaya when he was the last man. Instead, the official decided yellow was the appropriate colour.
I write in my notes that Phimai looked the more likely to score by this point. I wish I had managed to have had a bet with ten minutes remaining. Apichait Thakernhglaro jinked down the touchline beating a couple of players. His low cross was missed by a defender allowing Jituphol Wongyai to finish with aplomb.
Rajdamnern pushed forward and lost the ball. Pitasaya went close to making it 3-1. The excellent spirit that the game was played in was exemplified when three United players with cramps were all attended to by their opponents. Or was it desperation!
Three minutes of additional time were seen out with relative ease. I was a bit shocked at the way Rajdamnern failed to change tactics to try and grab an equaliser. They stuck to playing football. Credit to them and their coaches for that.
The result was a bit of a shock, at least to me. Phimai were more experienced and physically stronger. Rajdamnern played lots of beautiful football but was not penetrative enough and missed a penalty. It had been a good game.
I was soon in a taxi heading home for a brief siesta before heading over the road for a couple of hours, then returning home to watch my first Thai-based FA Cup final. An excellent day all round, especially as a friend paid my bar tab.
Bangkapi FC 2 Patumkongka 0 (Saturday 14th May 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Quarter Final (att: c120)
A 197 bus took me halfway up Hathai Rat Road before a pleasant woman taxi driver, who was keen to try out her decent English, delivered me the rest of the way to Airport Stadium where a good-sized crowd had assembled.
Grabbing some liquid, I went upstairs and got a seat at the front of the balcony to witness a similar start to Bangkapi’s previous game. They were being cheered by around 100 of those present and perhaps took time to settle.
Somboondee hit the side netting before Patumkongka forced a series of corners. I had taken the opportunity to see them the previous Wednesday in a friendly with Nonthaburi City when they gave their full squad playing time. They seemed a decent outfit.
Achitaphon Kinsen really should have put them ahead with a free header at the back post from a corner. At the other end, Somboondee latched onto a weak header from a Patumkongka defender towards keeper Suwwanaphat Na Suwan but his effort went wide.
Somboondee hit the side netting before Patumkongka forced a series of corners. I had taken the opportunity to see them the previous Wednesday in a friendly with Nonthaburi City when they gave their full squad playing time. They seemed a decent outfit.
Achitaphon Kinsen really should have put them ahead with a free header at the back post from a corner. At the other end Somboondee latched onto a weak header from a Patumkongka defender towards keeper Suwwanaphat Na Suwan but his effort went wide.
Like the previous week, the experience of Bangkapi’s keeper Noppakaow, skipper Sriboon and defender Permsomboon came to the fore. Sriboon never missed an opportunity to get into the ear of referee Niruoh Panjontuk, while ably assisted by the coaching team.
Seenunejan had scored a brace in the group-deciding game and came close to opening the scoring once again when his header from a corner hit the angle of the post and bar. Bangkapi took the lead on twenty-five minutes when Krittikorn Thanyachartmongkhol finished when slid through.
The heat of the early afternoon necessitated drink breaks in each half, which was sensible. Sira Udomwan made it 2-0 on thirty-two minutes when he headed in on the half-volley at the back post after Thanyachartmongkhol headed a corner towards the goal.
Patumkongka responded with a free kick from Jiradet Taichankong that went close and then a header went narrowly over the bar. The referee was keen on blowing his whistle but was losing his grip at times, which was in danger of spoiling a good game which was turning niggly.
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| Pon..Boomdaddy catches me on camera once again |
Number 22, Somboondee for their side was very bright with Seenunejan and Thanyachartmongkhol good in the air. A fine one-two between Somboondee and sub, Yongwee set up Thanyachartmongkhol who somehow missed the open net from the low centre.
At the back, Bangkapi goalkeeper Noppakaow was commanding in claiming crosses. He also knew when to take a tumble to take the sting out of the game, with the team physio being as active as any of the players.
A free kick from Yongwee came close to extending the lead at a time when plenty was going on off the ball. It seemed a matter of time before there was a flashpoint, with the Patumkongka players and coaches becoming more exasperated by the minute.
They nearly got a foot back into the encounter when Thanakit Duangtawan controlled and saw his volley go close. The fourth official Kittipong Choolerd was earning his expenses on the touchline watching on as a header was easily saved by Noppakaow.
Permsomboon was having a fine game at the back marshalling his troops and leading by example as Bangkapi looked to close out the game. It was as well that he did as Patumkongka kept going to the final whistle.
Chitsanuphong Phinthaisong went on a fine run, but nobody was on hand to convert his pull back and a header from Siwat Peerathammawat then went narrowly wide. The side had someone with a magical left foot with sweeping passes in Taichankong. He looked a proper footballer.
The more experienced side prevailed and deservedly progressed to the semi-finals of the Bangkok section of the competition. It was good at full-time to see the Patumkongka team given a good ovation from the Bangkapi fans and see both parties seemingly getting on. Exactly how it should be, particularly at an amateur level.
Bangkapi FC 2 Phimai United 2 – Bangkapi win 3-1 on penalties (Saturday 21st May 2022) Thai Amateur League Bangkok semi-final (att: c90)
As the competition reached what was in effect the quarter final stage with regards to promotion, but the last four in the Bangkok region, I was left with a choice of sports on this Saturday.
Cricketing friends were down from Chiang Mai. I enjoyed a nice Friday evening out on Sukhumvit Soi 15 with them before they headed to the Polo Club for the Royal Bangkok Sports Club v Gymkhana Club 30 overs match.
The RSBC were insisting on an ATK test for admission, which I didn’t really agree with. Instead, I headed back home via the Saen Saep ferry and bus before Catching a bus and taxi up Hathai Rat road to the ground, arriving just as the teams kicked off.
It was immediately apparent that there were changes to both sides line ups from the previous week. Experienced Bangkapi wily skipper Pramual Sriboon was absent, through suspension as I later found out.
Consequently, Bangkapi played a far more passing game than the previous week. There was a drizzle in the air and a wind blowing down the pitch. The FC Bangsaotong party arrived to watch, including my pal, the coach Jamie Clarke as we caught up throughout the game for chats.
It was Bangkapi who had the first effort with a flicked header from a wide free-kick going just wide. Plenty of the clubs’ youth players were in attendance, though numbers were down on the previous week.
Phimai’s captain Panya Chueachan was doing a fine job in a holding midfield role with his calmness on the ball. Bangkapi’s defenders Pannawich Thongviriyakul and Kiadtisuk Seenunejan looked commanding with teammate Prachaya Somboondee exuding skill up front.
United’s Apichait Thakernhglaro was tricky on the ball in a game that was being played at a frenetic pace. Phimai didn’t have the speed of their younger counterparts, but they had the experience.
Some good play from United saw Pannawit Srithawikard being released. Keeper Ruangyot Noppakaow’s parry denied Jituphol Wongyai at the back post. The strong Somboondee at the other end was looking dangerous but lacked support from partner Chacrit Thanungmanote.
Phimai took the lead two minutes before the interval. Noppakaow in goal made a real hash of a low centre as he parried the ball into the path of Srithawikard who scored. The lead was doubled nine minutes into the second half. The strength of Chanchai Pitasay allowed him the opportunity to get his shot away.
It looked for all the money that United had the nous to see the game out. Their goalkeeper Narubet Thanikrathok was commanding, excellent on crosses and belied his small size with excellent kicking.
However, their legs gradually began to tire while the Bangkapi youngsters still had plenty in the tank. Phimai defended deeper and deeper and encouraged pressure. I thought that they could probably just about hold on, but their opponents had other plans.
The lead was halved with half an hour remaining as Phak-Phum Phonjaroen scored with a low finish. I am not sure it was entirely ethical, as the Bangkapi bench instructed their youth players to don bibs and take up the role as ballboys to try and save time.
The Phimai players took to falling down rather a lot and required the attention of the physio. Bangkapi’s party and supporters were going berserk, which I found a tad ironic after seeing some of their previous antics, as referee Aidsara Gaedthai was being put under increasing pressure.
Substitute Phutaress Chantasom nearly levelled things up when picked out by a fine diagonal path but his lob over the encroaching goalie went just wide of the post. Near to the end of normal time Thanikrathok produced a top save to deny Somboondee.
Phimai’s defence was creaking and their players were desperate for the sound of the final whistle. In a final Bangkapi attack in the fifth minute of additional time, a United defender went down with cramp.
The referee quite rightly waved play on. A dozy tackle in the box saw a Bangkapi player go down in the box. A penalty was given. I thought it was a bit soft. It mattered not to half-time substitute Jettipat Wongyee who slotted the penalty away.
There was no extra time as the game went straight to spot kicks. Phimai managed to smash three of their kicks over the bar. Noppakaow was engulfed as he saved the kick to send Bangkapi through. As often happens, the inferior goalie was the hero in a penalty shoot-out.
The celebrations went on long and loud. Phimai’s players looked fed up and just slinked away. They could still have been proud of their campaign. Bangkapi would meet the winners of the following match between FC Bangsaotong and Ramkhamhaeng University.
FC Bangsaotong 2 Ramkhamhaeng University 0 (Saturday 21st May 2022) Thai Amateur League Bangkok semi-final (att: c60)
The earlier game meant that the winners of this clash would meet Bangkapi FC in the Bangkok area final the week after. I had chatted with Jamie Clarke the head coach of Bangsaotong through that game who was with his amiable assistant Mikel Masabe.
Also with them was St. Kitts and Nevis international forward Tishan Hanley. He had previously had spells in the Thai League 3 with Chumpon and Assumption United and was in Thailand looking for a club. He joined in a practice trial being staged by Chainat United on the second pitch. It’s amazing who you bump into at a Thai football game!
The attendance had thinned out from the previous game, so I found a front-row seat upstairs easily enough, as I watched the fourth official downstairs check off all the players against their ID cards.
Saris Suksaard and Adam Mather looked a good strong defensive pairing for Qons from the off. Mather was up against Apiluck Sunanda who was strong and excellent at holding up the ball and bringing his partner Niran Mingsaithong into play.
Ramkhamhaeng keeper Nimit Ruangwong made a fine point-blank stop to keep out a volley from Phatsakorn Srikaewnin after he was fed by a cross from Jirameth Darunphan. At the other end Mingsaithong fired a speculative shot across the face of goal.
A fine slide rule pass from the astute Apichai Kopimpa nearly created an opportunity for FCB before his side took the lead midway through the first half. Srikaewnin fired in a dipping free kick from around twenty-five yards over the wall and into the bottom corner. A goal of great beauty.
Referee Niruch Panjontuk did well to see through a tumble from the University’s Thanawut Suttinun and wave away appeals for a penalty. I had seen them given in the past. Bangsaotong extended their lead just past the half-hour mark.
Goalie Ruangwong had to clear outside his box, but he scuffed his attempt. Calmness and incisive passing from Darunphan and Kopimpa set up Srikaewnin to finish off the move. The goal seemed to take the sting out of Ramkhamhaeng.
After the break, they regrouped, with FCB keeper Chaisit Petchrangsee making a good block to deny sub Kritsada Kemdem before the increasingly prominent Sunanda missed with a free header when he really should have scored.
The FCB defence was being urged not to defend too deeply by coach Clarke. The play switched with the impressive Kopimpa going on another biting run. No teammates managed to get into position to convert his low cross as his side took control of the game.
Ruangwong pushed an effort from Darunphan around the post prior to sub, Kanea Tangcravakoon going close with a header from a corner. It was becoming noisy downstairs as the Bangkapi fans continued to celebrate their earlier wins with a few beers.
A good move put in Ramkhamhaeng midfielder Thanawan Sukkaew who fired in the direction of the goal, but it was off target but out of reach to be a cross when he was well positioned. A colleague missed an open goal at the back post in the last minute of normal time when heading wide at the back post.
They still had time to create another couple of chances before the final whistle. Another back post header went over and another cross landed at the feet of Sunanda who dragged his effort wide. The forward had a fine game and did just about everything but score.
At full time I hung around to have a couple of beers with the happy Qons party. Some of the Bangkapi imbibed group warned them that their run would end next week. Bars were officially shut for election day, so they were taking advantage of the Airport Stadium hospitality.
No bars back home gave me a good excuse to go home and relax and watch some live football on TV from the UK. A fine day out.
AC Tuttocuolo 3 Prize of Wood 2 (Sunday 22nd May 2022) Bangkok Premier League Division 1 (att: c15)
Linping FC 6 BP Friends United 2 (Sunday 23rd July 2023) Bangkok Premier League Division 1 (att: 6)