Vichupa Football Field (Bangkok)

 

Vichupa Football Field is a football venue, primarily located on Soi Ram Intra 46/1, which has five full-sized pitches, with another smaller pitch for training and age group football. Teams rent the venue to play for a full season in their respective competitions.

It is also booked for singular needs as a neutral venue for other local football, such as the Bangkok Premier League or the Thonburi League. Or sometimes for one-off recreational football or staging the matches of professional youth sides.

All the pitches have high netting surrounding them to prevent footballs from disappearing into the wild or adjoining houses. There are changing facilities provided, and each pitch has its own set of floodlights. In all, an excellent set of facilities.

My visits

V 5

Minburi City 3 Pivo V Revolution 0 (Wednesday 19th January) Friendly (att: c25)

An account of my first venture can be read here, for a midweek game under the lights down the road on Soi Amon Wiwat.

V 5

SG FC 0 FC Bangsaotong 0 (Sunday 6th March 2022) Bangkok Premier League Division 2 (att: c15)

A return to the same venue came when an unexpected opportunity raised its head and can be read about here.

V 3

Siam FC 3 Kasem Bundit University 0 (Sunday 12th February 2023) Thonburi League Champions League semi-final (att: c15)

My football adventures were less intense in 2023, usually meaning that I headed to one game a week and looked forward to it, rather than packing in some games when, on reflection, it had sometimes been a box-ticking exercise.

However, I still loved visiting new venues whenever possible. Muang Thong United v Buriram United was undoubtedly the best game in Bangkok all weekend, but a 7pm Sunday kick-off and then the scramble to try and find a taxi deterred me from heading that way.

It was time for me to revisit some local stuff, with a choice of two matches. Linping, formerly AC Tuttocuoio, against Nonthaburi City at Airport Stadium, was one, but the other, with jeopardy involved at a venue I’d yet to see a game at, won the day, but only just.

I was tired. Life was fantastic and every day brought joy, but along with it lots of mind and sometimes legwork. The temperatures were rising, leading to walking being a more exhausting hobby. And I’d had a fantastic Saturday with my beautiful lady looking after two friends from Hull.

Another attraction of my selected match was that it ignited the excitement of a bus route I’d yet to try, and see what I would experience along the way. All was good, apart from the fact that the bus didn’t want to appear, meaning that I was close at one stage to reverting to the other game option.

I headed to 7/11 to break a large note, as I realised that I could still go to my first choice, but by taxi. As I came out of the shop, I was greeted with the sight of the lovely air-conditioned bus coming in my direction. There was just enough time to cross the road and frantically wave my arms.

Despite being fifty metres short of the stop, the driver saw my predicament, flashed his lights, and came right up to me. What a good man. The journey was indeed interesting, as we went past a previously undiscovered craft beer bar before I alighted from my 20 Baht ride.

It was a further fifteen minutes amble to the venue, where panic set in on arrival, as no teams were warming up on the show pitch. In the distance, I could see a chap saving shots, and sure enough, the game was being played on V3 pitch, which could well have been the usual home ground of Siam FC.

While not ideal, with spectator facilities not freely available, both covered canopies with seating were being taken up by either side and their close allies. Neutrals weren’t really considered. I sat in the semi-shadow of a floodlight pylon, which worked out perfectly.

It was a sweltering afternoon, the sort you would take shelter from in the shade if watching cricket. Yet, the academy sides of the two professional teams would do battle in temperatures well into the thirties for a place in their league final on a pitch not too long in length.

The playing surface was immaculate, which allowed for a fast-flowing game between two sides that I’d enjoyed watching over the previous few months. It was the team of the university that was on top in the early exchanges, as their 23 was clean through but dragged wide from a great position.

At the other end, the Siam 19 showed great footwork to round the Bundit keeper, but put it wide with the goal gaping. At this point, I should mention the intervention of the man I adjudged to be the player of the match.

The sound of the bell being rung by a fella on a motorcycle with a small frame attached was music to my ears. I thought that 40 Baht for a tub of ice cream was a little on the expensive side, but it was plentiful, cold, and beautiful. In hindsight, I’d have given him a 100 Baht note.

The weather was too much for the players as well, with the referee sensibly splitting each half into three-thirds to allow for lots of water to be taken onboard. Once refreshed, Siam’s 19 was soon back in the thrust of the action.

He had an effort saved by the feet of the Kasem keeper after he beat the offside trap, although I wasn’t so sure myself. One thing I was sure of was that I wasn’t going to volunteer to run the line. Any mistakes by the far-side linesman were totally acceptable.

19 was at it again, once again springing the trap, but this time firing over. However, he was not to be denied as he scored from close range just past the half-hour mark after 20 rolled square to him. The scorer looked too embarrassed to celebrate, acknowledging his earlier misses.

He would go on to complete his hat-trick before the interval, with two more predatory finishes before both sides earned a fully deserved few minutes to recover. I could have done with some water myself, though I was fortunate that the shadows were growing.

After the interval, the students in bright orange came out with the bit between their teeth and threatened to force a comeback. 23 saw an effort scrambled off the line, and then the player wearing 88 in the Siam goal saved a shot from the same Bundit attacker.

The pressure continued as 10 saw his effort go narrowly over the bar. There was more intensity in the second period, with the university side getting stuck in, leading to several feisty exchanges, which I’m not totally convinced the referee handled too well.

Siam defended resolutely and then began to look dangerous on the break. The Bundit keeper pulled off a fine double save in the closing stages, and I decided to walk around, ready to make my escape after seeing my app indicate that my bus had departed Minburi.

My Yorkshire upbringing was about to kick in, and I was immensely proud of myself. The 197 bus route has some new air-conditioned vehicles and costs passengers 20 Baht a ride, like the one I caught to go to the match.

Old ones, with wooden floors, are 8 Baht with the windows down to create cool air. On this occasion, the posh one arrived one minute ahead of the other. I saved myself 12 Baht. Why spend more has always been my motto, and I wasn’t going to change now.

The thriftiness continued as I used a discount KFC voucher for our tea, some of which we gave to a neighbour, which is one of the reasons I love Thailand. Like England of old, with a community spirit.

A wonderful day when all said and done, after I’d earlier shown my lovely lady how to make spaghetti Bolognese, and we relaxed for the evening over a few drinks while I watched a few classic episodes of Only Fools and Horses and the Leeds United v Manchester United game. A Super Sunday indeed.

Thupatemi Stadium (Bangkok)

Thupatemi Stadium, otherwise known as the Thai Royal Air Force Stadium, is a multi-purpose arena with a running track that has an official capacity of 20,000. It is mainly used for football and as a training area for athletes.

The stadium was home to Air Force United from 2007 to 2011 and again between 2012 and 2019 when the club was relocated to Uthai Thani.

Previously, another club, Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani FC, was taken over by Air Force United in 2012 and played at the stadium from 2013 until 2017, when they were renamed Grakcu Looktabfah and then Grakcu Sai Mai United, moving to their own stadium in Sai Mai.

This left Tupatemi without a host club. This scenario was resolved when Royal Thai Air Force FC, consisting mainly of servicemen, entered Thai League 3 for the 2020-21 season.

My visits

Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani 1 Futera Seeker 1 (Wednesday 27th March 2013) Thai Regional League Central West Region (att: c300)

To see my round-up and photos from the above match, click here.

Air Force Central 2 Police United 2 (Saturday 31st October 2015) Thai League Division One (att: 3,389)

Click here for my match account and a full write-up on Air Force United.

Royal Thai Air Force 0 STK Muangnont 1 (Saturday 8th January 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (att: 265)

Read here about my first match watching the “new” team at Thupatemi Stadium.

Thonburi League Finals Day (Sunday 19th June 2022) att: c150

I’d read about the finals day several weeks previously on Facebook and had pencilled it in my phone reminders. I even had a sensible Saturday night in my local bar in readiness. My intention was to take in the last two matches of the four.

Siam FC B 3 Famous FC 1 (Thonburi League Cup 3rd/4th Place Playoff)

I was not interested in the first game, a friendly between Bangkapi and Muangkrung, which kicked off at 9.30am. I didn’t really consider this clash until I made far better time than I’d accounted for.

A Minivan took me from Minburi to the 11th Infantry Regiment BTS Skytrain station. I was delighted to find that travel on the extension of the Green Line was still free as I collected my ticket north above Pahon Yothin Road to Yæk Kor Por Aor.

Part of me considered finding somewhere for breakfast, but I decided to stock up on top of my breadcrumb chicken sandwich at 7/11 and Lam Luk Ka Junction Market, a few minutes’ walk from Thupatemi Stadium.

Common sense had kicked in as I took my cool bag, which was essential on such a hot day, so I could carry plenty of water. It was good to see a couple of snack and drink stalls open by the stadium car park for later use.

Strangely, no gates were open into the spectator area of the stands, so I walked in the main entrance and down the players' entrance before finding a way upstairs to the seated area. It was all very nicely relaxed.

It was half-time in the third and fourth League Cup play-off on my arrival. I chose a vantage point where visiting supporters are allocated in league matches, as I’d not been in there previously. Just the covered stand was open to spectators.

Next to me was the Thai Spirit entourage. When the teams re-emerged for their second half, they brought out their belongings to the subs' bench so that the two sides in the next match could use the changing rooms.

Facebook was king once again as I managed to get on the live feed on the Thonburi League page and find out the halftime score. The second string of Siam FC were in the lead. My immediate attention was drawn to the frequency of descending planes heading to Don Muang, which was massively higher than my January visit.

Thupatemi Stadium was also showing signs that it could do with some tender loving care with dirty seats and peeling paintwork. It was even more noticeable without the advertisement boards missing from the Thai Royal Air Force FC match.

The game restarted, and it was at a very gentle pace in the extreme heat. Water breaks and the usual delays meant that the match was behind schedule, having supposedly kicked off at 11.30. I think it was shortened to forty minutes each way.

Siam doubled the lead when their 32 was played through. His effort proved too strong for the Famous keeper despite his best efforts. It was 3-0 when Siam’s 21 netted after the referee decided to let go of what was a robust challenge on the edge of the box that saw the Famous player felled.

A scruffy effort got Famous a goal back, which infuriated the Siam coach, who appeared to feel that his charges were taking things a little too easily. His side put the smile back on his face when it was 4-1 through 19 with the last kick of the game after the keeper made a real hash of a low centre.

Thaispirit FC 3 Yungthong United 1 Thonburi League Cup Final

The turnaround between games was quick, as both teams had warmed up on the track areas behind each goal. Spirit were backed by a good following of friends and families and seemed to be a really decent bunch.

I particularly wanted to be at this game as I’d seen Spirit in action in a previous game in absurd waterlogged conditions in the Thailand Amateur League, and a good friend, Chris Felton, informed me that his good lady was a close friend of club owner Lek.

Immediately, I was struck by the good standard and high intensity as tackles flew in. Both sides had structure about them and were trying to play good football. A drummer tried to rally Spirit support, but fans seemed keener to try and keep cool than sing.

Yungthong, in a striking yellow and red outfit, looked the physically stronger of the teams. Their keeper made a fine save from a shot at the angle of the box from Spirit’s 26. United’s 26 had a chance, but the Spirit goalie rushed out, narrowing the angle, which forced the shot to go wide.

The scoring was opened by one of the best strikes I’d seen in months. The Thai Spirit number 21 was getting on for thirty yards out in an inside left position when he let fly with his left foot. The ball continued to curl away from the Yungthong goalie and dipped into the top corner. I actually shouted out, “What a goal!”. It really was outstanding.

The referee was doing his best to let the game flow, but became inconsistent when he did blow his whistle for a foul, and it was often for things far less severe than he had let go. United had a good spell up to halftime, with their 27 having a free kick saved at the second attempt.

At the interval, I rushed out to get another bottle of water and a Coke with lots of ice. Thankfully, a few entrance gates had been opened as well as the downstairs toilets. I took up my previous position for the second half.

Yungthong’s number 6 had impressed me throughout playing up front with skill and ingenuity. He was denied by an excellent last-ditch challenge. Spirit responded by winning the ball high up the pitch and creating a lovely little passing move before 8 blazed over.

It was the team in blue who would score next to double their advantage when number 2 saw his shot go through the legs of an outstretched defender and across the goalie into the far bottom corner of the net.

My thoughts were that United would have really given Spirit a proper game if they had a forward partner alongside their 6. Their opponents were far more team-based in their movement, with everyone getting involved.

As it was, they halved their deficit when a low strike from 25 at the edge of the box went just inside the post past the sprawling custodian. For a short time, it looked like Yungthong may even muster an equaliser.

However, the game was put to bed at 3-1 when a slide rule pass from the excellent 2 was finished off by number 6. The number 2 was then put in by another intelligent pass, but he was denied by a combination of the goalkeeper and defender blocking the follow-up.

Yungthong were really stretched by this point. They had nothing to lose and sent men forward, but were exposed consequently. Spirits’ 2 was again in the action as he headed wide a cross from 7 in the last chance of what was a really enjoyable spectacle.

Following the trophy ceremonies, the Spirit entourage and several spectators got onto the pitch to have photos taken of their big day. I was genuinely pleased with what appeared to be a really nice set of people and a well-organised football club.

Rose Asia 1 RTC Bangbon United 1 (Asia win 5-3 on penalties) Thonburi Champions League Final

The celebrations further delayed the start of what was billed as the main event of the day. We were looking at a 4pm kick-off rather than the half-hour earlier advertised. I took the opportunity to move to the other side of the stand.

I’d also been taking photos of the planes between the on-field action and fancied a slightly different angle. The crowd had dropped a little, but both sides had reasonable followings. I noted that Rose Asia had a red rose on their emblem. Not something to impress this Yorkshireman!

Again, the match started with a high tempo, with some naughty niggly challenges going in. There was definitely an edge to it. I described it in my notes as ratty. Rose had some youngsters who were keen to engage with me.

I later noted that it was horrible and disjointed as a spectacle, lacking skill and inventiveness, but certainly not effort. To be honest, that is the best I could make of the first half. I genuinely considered heading home.

Only my stubbornness, having travelled a fair distance, and the fact that it could only improve kept me back. I was not massively impressed when the second half started similarly. I could see it going to penalties after a 0-0 draw.

In fairness, both defences were doing their jobs well, even if it sometimes involved underhanded methods. The referee was handing out plenty of yellow cards. Good for the league’s bank balance but not necessarily for onlookers.

Rose formed an attack, which was flagged for offside, which seemed a highly debatable call from the linesman. RTC attacked from the resulting free kick. Their number 9 looked well offside when played through, but the flag remained down.

He finished well with a clever lob over the keeper, but then lost marks from me, making those silly ear gestures at the opposing set of supporters. The Rose stopper made a fine low save from RTC’s 16 to keep the deficit manageable.

A spell of Rose Asia's play resulted in them restoring parity when 33 scored despite protests from the Bangbon players. The goal inspired the Rose side as 10 blasted an effort over, and the fans began to chant their support.

In what was definitely a “slow burner”, the game opened up and became very watchable. The scorer of the RTC goal was put in on goal once again, but he dithered and was blocked. Served him right for his earlier antics in my book.

Five additional minutes couldn’t separate the sides, so it was down to penalties to decide the winners. Rose went first and was faultless, as were RTC until their fourth kick hit the underside of the bar and stayed out.

The Rose goalkeeper used plenty of gamesmanship, trying to put off the opposing kickers with delaying tactics. He seemed unfazed by it all. He stepped up in double quick time to score the fifth and winning spot-kick.

I’d had seen enough and wanted to head back. It had been a long, hot day, and I was feeling tired. I also need to go back to my favourite bar to see if my missing keys had been found the previous evening.

Fortunately, a number 520 bus arrived in quick time, which took me all the way back to Minburi. My keys were found, and I enjoyed a few cold ones with a later meal. A super Sunday indeed.

Siam FC

Siam FC was a football club located in the Thai capital of Bangkok, which was originally formed in 2011 as Rangsit FC, who were given a place in the third-tier Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region as an expansion club in 2012.

A debut season, eleventh place, playing at Leo Stadium, home of Bangkok Glass. A change of name for the following campaign to Thonburi BG United followed, with the team a reserve side for Glass, with home games played at Thonburi University Stadium.

The side ended second from bottom in the Central & Western Region before a move back to the Bangkok region, where they reverted to the Rangsit name, finishing in midtable while playing at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Stadium.

A return to Leo Stadium followed in 2015, and with it, a slight improvement on the pitch, with another similar position being achieved a year later. Thai football was extended to four tiers for the 2017 season, which saw the club become Bangkok Glass B in the Bangkok region of Thai League 4, where the team ended third.

2018 saw another retitle, as BGC ended in the Champions League playoff positions, where their hopes of promotion ended in defeat to Hua Hin City, as Phattharaphon Jansuwan led the scoring. At this point, the club was taken over and renamed Siam FC.

The side played half the 2019 campaign at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, with the other at Nonthaburi Province Stadium, with the side ending in seventh place as Ghanian striker Oscar Plape provided the goals under coach Alireza Hassanalizadeh, who was replaced by Philip Adejoh.

A turbulent campaign ended with Boonyanaisakdi Yiamran in charge of the side. The club set up an academy at the same time to try and nurture its own production line of talent. The 2020-21 season saw Thai professional football revert to three levels and adopt the European playing calendar.

Siam finished second from bottom of the table, in which Hassanalizadeh had another spell at the helm, followed by Ruben Fortunato Lopez and then Matu Conde. A vastly improved performance saw a sixth-place finish in 2021-22 after relocation to the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi.

That season saw Sarfo Otis Adjei end as the top scorer for the team led by Kobenan Leon N'Guatta from November 2021, prior to the return of coach Adejoh. Adisorn Kittipornpracha was put in charge of the side at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Adjei also led the scoring charts in 2022-23 in a season that saw coach Adisorn Kittipornpracha replaced by Sergio De Mota with a couple of games remaining. However, the Spaniard could not rescue the team that was relegated.

The club appeared to fold shortly after, with no further updates on their social media page.

My visits

Siam FC 1 Inter Bangkok 0 (Sunday 4th September 2022) Thai League Cup First Qualification Round (att: c150)

My third visit to the 72nd Anniversary Stadium after previously seeing BEC Tero Sasana and Inter Bangkok as home sides there. This encounter would see the two clubs currently sharing the venue do battle in a cup tie.

My friend Gary was down from Buriram, eager to tick the venue off his list, as we were going to the match between Police Tero and Port afterwards. On a gloomy Sunday lunchtime, he and his girlfriend headed for lunch with Taew and me.

We met at the decent Phahon View Restaurant on Khum Klao for some nice food, before my good lady headed off to open her bar, while we went over the road and down the lane to the match, where free admission was an obvious bonus.

The 72nd Anniversary Stadium is a venue like many others used in lower-league Thai football. It has a track around the pitch and stands on either side. The ones in Minburi are big, the place is showing signs of age, and it is far too big for any of its uses. A proper white elephant.

That said, the views high up under the roof are excellent. The pitch, like many other hired-out arenas, was hard, bumpy, and badly maintained. We saw what turned out to be a reasonable match as both sides tried to play football.

Inter had been taken over by AUU in the close season, and I expected them to be the stronger of the sides, but not for the first time, my prediction was wrong. The teams were separated by a goal from Otis Sarfo Adjei, which was scored nine minutes before halftime.

The facilities for spectators were pretty much nonexistent, with toilets, which were far from pristine, being the only amenity. The chance of refreshments was zero, which was a shame as when I saw Tero playing there, it was an excellent set-up.

At full time we sped away as quickly as possible to pick up our mutual mate Steve in the centre of Minburi, ready for the evening’s action, which was truncated by a huge storm and the three of us getting drenched.

Siam FC 0 Royal Thai Army 1 (Saturday 19th November 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok (att: 75)

It was an unexpected return later in the season, as I wanted to stay close to Minburi, as my friends were coming to Brothers and Sisters Bar to celebrate my birthday. I knew Taew was making an effort, so I didn’t want to be worn out or late.

My plan was a Minburi City friendly at 3pm at Kanjanapat Arena, not too far away and handy to get to by bus. Unfortunately, that fell foul of the overnight rain, and I wouldn’t have been too worried about staying in until I received a message from a mate.

Brett Johnston and his daughter Libby were in town and keen to catch up, and they didn’t mind going to football, so they agreed to meet me at Min Residence. From there, we took a taxi to the stadium.

It’s fair to say that this would not have been my first pick, especially as Port were at home to Buriram United later, but that was sadly out of bounds. Admission was 80 Baht, and the club looked like they'd found a volunteer to sell tickets, but the atmosphere was negligible.

At least I knew to advise my friends to pop into 7/11 and take refreshments with them. I’d seen the Army side win at Kasem Bundit a few weeks earlier, and their style matched their persona. They were fit and disciplined but not hugely flamboyant.

It was lovely to catch up and try to answer as best I could the questions about the lower leagues of Thai football, and why such a small game was being played in such a huge stadium. I honestly did not know.

The only surprise to me was how long it took the Army outfit to break the deadlock. It might have been the pitch, or some hard work from Siam, who played nothing like the lovely stuff I would see from their Academy team on a couple of occasions.

The goal eventually arrived halfway through the second period, when substitute Wasin Tiammuang thrilled the gaggle of away fans along the main stand. Both sides tried their best, but it was pretty obvious that the goal would be decisive.

We departed a few minutes from full-time, not to beat the traffic, I hasten to add. Sod's law decreed that there were no taxis, so I walked along to the main road. I dropped my friends off at Minburi Market so that they could have a good mosey while I grabbed an hour on the bed.

They both joined me, Brett, for a very long drink at my favourite bar, where a wonderful night of food and drink ensued. And Port, where I would have otherwise gone for my football fix, took a beating, so all in all, things probably worked out for the best. Friends are always more important than football.

Chamchuri United

Chamchuri United FC is a football club based in Bangkok, Thailand, who were formed in 2011 as one of several expansion clubs to play in the third-tier Regional League under head coach Sujja Siriket.

The league's expansion came at an excellent time for Chulalongkorn University. The league introduced a ruling that all Premier League clubs would have to be PLCs.

The tenants of the University Stadium at the time, BB-CU, who had originally begun life as the University's club, had developed over the years and then bought in sponsorship in their quest to win promotion back to the TPL.

From what I can gather through the kind assistance of @wellywolf and @thaifussballde replying to my inquiries on Twitter, the University wanted their own side again, so they formed United.

BB-CU moved out of their stadium, where the now-defunct former champions Krung Thai Bank FC also played, in 2011 to use Army Stadium and then Rajamangala Stadium for home matches once promotion was achieved. For details of BB-CU, click here.

It would appear that a link was in place between the fans, if not the clubs, of BB-CU and Chamchuri, as a website had pages for both teams. Chamchuri were placed in the third-tier Thai Regional League Bangkok Region. A series of mid-table finishes ensued before the 'Sam Yan Tigers' ended the 2014 campaign in fourth place. The improvement continued in 2015 as the side finished as league runners-up.

This qualified Chamchuri for the promotion play-off Champions League, where they finished low down in Group A. The Bangkok Region title was secured in 2016. This time, the Champions League was a knockout competition.

Chamchuri went out to Kasetsart in the Round of 16 to extinguish any hopes of promotion. Thai football was restructured for the 2017 season, with a fourth tier added. United were placed in the Thai League 3 Lower Region, with coach Siriket still at the helm.

The team finished in sixth position, with Japanese striker Hiroyuki Sugimoto topping the scoring charts. 2018 saw a fourth-place return as Kasitinard Sriphirom banged in the goals. 2019 saw the signing of Isaac Mbengan, who would go on to be a stalwart for the club.

It also heralded the appointment of manager Narat Munin-noppamart. United ended that season in eleventh place before the reorganisation of the Thai League structure for 2020-21, with the calendar matching that of European competitions.

The side was placed in the Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter/Metropolitan Region, where they ended in fourth place. Korean Yeon Gi-sung scored his fair share, with keeper Kritchai Sangrung keeping out opposing forwards.

It was the same final position in 2021-22 as home games were played behind closed doors owing to the restrictions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Cameroonian Mbengan continued to bang in the goals for the side that was coached by Aduk Leukijna, which finished in fourth place.

Fifth place ensued twelve months later as Mohamed Kouadio led the scoring. 2023-24 saw the team slip down the league placings, while the start of the following campaign saw Chamchuri take up residence at Thephasadin Stadium while upgrades were made to their traditional home.

Watcharapong Wanthong topped the scoring in 2024-25, as Chamchuri weighed in with a seventh-place finish in the Central Zone after geographical reorganisation of the third-tier had taken place before the arrival of new head coach, Worachai Surinsirirat, ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Chamchuri United FC will play in Thai League 3 Central in the 2025-26 season.

My visits

March 2007

The following is my description of my visit as part of a groundhop around Thailand in March/April 2007 that appeared in the Scarborough Athletic fanzine, Abandon Chip

I took a taxi to the Chulalongkorn University Stadium, home of Chula-Sinthana FC and Krung Thai Bank FC, to round off my tour. The pitch has a superb synthetic playing surface, which is a long way removed from the 1980s prototypes.

I felt comfortable walking across it and could not believe how natural it felt. Once again, the stadium with a capacity of 20,000 had open seats which wrapped around the running track before being broken up by a magnificent main stand.

A tip for souvenir hunters in the area comes from when I decided to have a walk to the nearest sky train station, only to realise that I was back on the streets of sports shops next to the old National (Suphachalasai) Stadium. The shops are opposite the main entrance, and I came across one shop which sold Grand Sports products.

They supply many of the clubs with their playing kits at very low prices compared to their European counterparts, so I bought myself a collection of Thailand Premier League shirts for a very reasonable price.

This area is a haven for replica kits of all qualities! The nearest Skytrain (BTS) stations are National Stadium or Siam Square, which is also home to many shopping malls, including the incredible MBK, where you can purchase anything at reasonable prices.

Chamchuri United 1 Siam FC 1 (Saturday 25th December 2021) Thai League 3 Bangkok (att: c100)

It had been nearly a month since I had moved full-time to Bangkok, and I was getting out and about to football. And what could be better than to head to my first football game on Christmas Day? My original plan when setting out had been Bangkok FC v Kasembundit University in the same competition.

However, things run pretty much as normal on this date. The 113 bus from Minburi got snarled up in traffic, meaning that I required a Plan B, as there was no way I would reach Hua Lamphong, followed by another long ride to Bang Mod in time for kick-off.

Even this option was a little in the air, as officially, spectators were not being allowed access. However, Svein, a fellow Bangkok football fan on Twitter, had posted that he’d been to a game at the stadium a few days previously.

A pleasant walk through the campus of Chulalongkorn University led me around to the main side of the stadium, where my temperature was checked, and I was given a little sticker for my shirt to say I was OK. There was no admission fee.

It transpired that I was on the side of the main stand designated for families and subs of the visiting team. Many seats were cordoned off as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still very much in evidence.

I was slightly surprised to hear chatter through the King's Anthem, perhaps a sign of the times and age group in attendance. My first thought was what lovely, vibrant kits both sides were wearing.

A shot was fired straight from the kick-off by Siam’s Sarfo Otis Adjei on the artificial 3G surface. Kantinan Chanmunti appeared to be a diminutive midfielder for United as his side took the lead after fourteen minutes when Isaac Mbengan smartly finished from a lovely, teasing low cross.

Woradach Boonmakhajornkit saw a low shot for the hosts parried by visiting keeper Phoomin Thumraksa as Chamchuri continued in the ascendancy despite a high press from the Siam side.

The away side saw a header from Nicolas Vidal well saved by the home stopper, Sakpon Nichakam, as they pressed for a leveller, seeing a shot cleared off the line five minutes from the interval. Then Charmil Sritongon forced Thumraksa into a reflex stop at the other end.

It was getting a bit tetchy and not very festive as referee Waranon Soonsuwan needed to get a grip as handbags broke out over next to nothing. A long-range free kick by Jakkrawut Mekkhawan was pushed onto the bar by the student team's Nichakam before a pause in hostilities in the dressing rooms.

A league official gave a dressing down to one of the away contingent near me during the break. I think it might have been advice he was offering to the match officials! Nichakam made another good parry shortly after the restart in what was an even game.

Siam were creating more as play continued, and they drew level just past the hour mark with a fantastic training ground free kick move when Yutthana Laohin drove the ball low behind the crowd waiting in the box for Yusaku Yamadera to run onto the pass and smash home from the edge of the box. A quality goal.

The league official was making himself busy again, telling a couple that they could not sit next to each other. Siam’s Chutsana Somtrakul was put through and should have squared to a free teammate, but instead elected to shoot, as the opportunity was wasted.

The match became more entertaining as play was stretched, as both sides sought out a winner. I had a pleasant few minutes as my mate Jeff, back in London, sent Christmas greetings, which was a lovely touch.

The home side's Nico Bergold completely overreacted to a challenge and made himself look daft while Mbengan came close to securing all three points. There was some shocking play acting towards the end, trying to get opponents into bother, which was a bit disappointing, but the game had that undercurrent throughout.

At full time, I headed down to Rama IV Road, missing a 113 while in 7/11, but not having to wait too long before the next one arrived to take me all the way home. A grand Christmas Day out.

Chamchuri United 2 Bangkok FC 4 (Saturday 18th September 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok (att: 200)

The new season was underway, and I fancied another visit to town. Again, traffic was a determination, so I decided to take an alternative route via a minivan along Ram Inthra before jumping out at Kasetsart University and heading upstairs to catch the BTS to Siam.

I had forgotten my reading specs at home and couldn’t find any in MBK or other stores. After a good walk, I ended up paying more for some at 7/11 before wandering up to Chulalongkorn Stadium to pay my 50 Baht admission.

I quite liked my visit when I eventually reached Bang Mod a few months earlier, so I decided to go in with the away fans. Their support was enthusiastic as we were all treated to an absolute cracker of a match.

The away team went ahead after six minutes, when Bunlue Thongklian spotted keeper Nichakam out of position, so he shot into the net from wide in his own half as the goalie floundered but could not get back in time.

Chamchuri’s forward partnership of Mbengan and Mohamed Kouadio was very bright, and their play created the equaliser after nineteen minutes when Mbengan was played through with a slide rule pass before he rounded goalie Yannasit Sukchareon to slot home.

The scorer was soon creating more menace as he saw a low shot kept out. Bangkok replied when Banjong Phadungpattanodom saw a long, low free-kick deflected wide. Two more efforts went narrowly wide for the visitors before the break for halftime.

At this point, I was joined by Marco, a Twitter pal whom I hadn’t previously met. He had arrived back in Bangkok a few days earlier, and we had a great chat about all things Thai football and the fortunes of Port, our mutual team.

The hosts went ahead slightly against the run of play seven minutes after the restart when Prachpeecha Pachthong, thanks to a howler from Sukchareon, who misjudged a low through ball entirely and ran past it, leaving the scorer with an open goal.

The Fire Bulls restored parity when Goshi Okubo fired low under Nichakam to send our section of the stand into wild delight. Even more so when their team went ahead. A clever through ball was run onto by substitute Dauda Bortu, who cleverly lobbed Nichakam on seventy-one minutes.

Both sides played some great stuff, but Bangkok looked like an excellent outfit. They extended the lead nine minutes from the end when Wichaya Pornprasart cut inside the box and fired a delicious curling shot into the far top corner.

Phootran Gingpan missed an open goal at the back post, but further punishment would have been harsh to Chamchuri. Bangkok’s Padungsak Photinak was denied by Nichakam in the last action of the game when he broke through.

At the end of the match, Marco and I headed to Rama IV, where I said goodbye and caught the approaching 113 bus all the way back in time for a shower and to head out to meet my Thai friends in my favourite bar.