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 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 wilds 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 12^th 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 was bringing joy, but along with it lots of mind and sometimes leg work. 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 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 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 wide with the goal gaping. At this point, I should mention the intervention of who I adjudged to be the man 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 one hundred Baht.

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 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 hattrick 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 cost 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 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 and 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 19^th June 2022) day att: c150

I’d read about the finals day several weeks previously on Facebook and penned 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 3^rd/4^th Place Play-Off)

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 sub's 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 as 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 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 easy. 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 Thaispirit 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 equalizer. 

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 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 who 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 did sometimes involve underhand methods. The referee was handing out plenty of yellow cards. Good for the leagues’ 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 were 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 unphased 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 iof 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 is a semi-professional 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 Central & Western Region prior to 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 Satadium.

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 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 to 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 19^th November 2022) Thai League 3 Bangkok Perimeter (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 walked along to the main road. I dropped my friends by 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 took a beating, so all in all, things probably worked out for the best. Friends are always more important than football.