Sisaket City

Ground: Sisaket SAT Stadium

Capacity: 12,000

Club Founded: 2020

League: Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast (current level)

Sisaket, in Thailand's northeast, is passionate about football and the clubs that represent the province. Sisaket United and Rasisalai United may lead the way, but the amateur and semi-pro ranks are well represented, with Sisaket City a club close to reaching the professional national league.

The teams line up at Sisaket Rajabhat Stadium

A Brief Club History

Sisaket City FC is a semi-professional football club from the city of the same name in Thailand’s Isan region. The origins of the club can be traced back to 2020 when it was set up with an academy to the south of the city.

In October 2021, manager Pakorn Samipak signed an agreement with Sisaket Rajabhat University to promote and develop youth players with the aim that they could become professional players.

Sisaket Rajabhat Stadium, City's former home

Amateur and Semi-Pro League Entrants

In 2022, the club entered the Thailand Amateur League, finishing in second place in Northeast Southern Zone Group F, behind Rasisalai United, who would eventually be promoted to Thai League 3 under coach Jeerawat Thonglue

The club was admitted to the Thai FA Cup in the 2022-23 season, going out in the first round, 4-1 to Chaingmai FC in a match that was played at Sisaket SAT Stadium. Later that season, City entered the Northeast region of the Thailand Semi-Pro League.

Sisaket SAT Stadium

A Sabatical and Return

Thonglue led the side to a third-place finish with home games being played at the Rajabhat University Stadium. Tatchanon Chindapuk took charge of the team for their Semi-Pro league campaign of 2023-24, taking the side to a third-place finish.

Sisaket City did not enter the Thailand Semi-Pro League in the 2024-25 season, but returned for 2026, playing games at the SAT Stadium, hoping the venue would bring them the same fortune as Rasisalai United, who are also based there, while under the auspices of their head coach, Nuttapong Bunkasem.

My visits

at Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium

Sisaket City 4 Vongchavalitkul University 0 

Thailand Semi-Pro League Northeast - Sunday 3rd March 2024  

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 300 🎟️ Free

With the Thai League 3 regular season completed seven days ago, with a rest week before the playoffs begin, it was time to check out a new ground for me and my mate John and to see what the odds were on Sisaket getting a third locally based professional club in the national set up.

The semi-pro league, in its second full season, is like the fourth division of old, with clubs entering it needing to hold a required license. The winners of the six regional divisions are promoted to T3.

We came away extremely impressed with the home side after they put their game opponents to the sword in the searing heat at Rajabhat University Stadium. It was a very competent performance with plenty of pace, clever moves, and resolute defence. If they weren’t to win promotion, then the winners of the mini league will be some team.

There was a delay due to a clash of heads in the early stages. City skipper Naraphong Chaudpong perhaps foolishly continued but was withdrawn a little time later, with an ambulance taking him away.

By then, his team had taken the lead with a smart finish from Baphit Chooklin, who proved to be the outstanding act all afternoon. The forward had previously been released by both T3 sides in town, but his strength, skill, touch, and hold-up play were top-notch.

The medics were again busy shortly after, as visiting keeper Phumin Prokkaew was helped off with what looked like a damaged ankle. This was one of several lengthy delays as the game struggled to get going properly.

A fine break just past the half-hour mark saw Nontavat Bamrungtham put in Teerawat Anuyan, who dinked delightfully over diving sub goalie Watchara Nasompak. One suspects that the stopper should concentrate on his studies rather than a career in the game on this showing.

As it was a sweltering hot afternoon, it was a blow not having any refreshments available, something to consider in future. The players took breaks for drinks, and with the injuries, it meant a late finish.

Not that it seemed to bother the enthusiastic crowd, who enjoyed free admission at the impressive arena. We are blessed with having three very good football venues in Sisaket, with a fourth, smaller ground hosting the women’s team.

Five minutes after the interval, Apisit Chanangam sealed the victory with a free kick from wide on the left that everyone stood and watched it float in off the back post, including young Watchara. Vongchavalitkul, from Nakhon Ratchasima, getting on for five hours away, were game until the end, with their frustration getting the better of them.

Atsarapong Lertkrathok picked up two yellows and went for an early shower. The first of which was a borderline assault. Thanaphon Srinak playing up front for the away side in a rather fetching shade, the same as a Cadbury chocolate wrapper, was the pick of the visitors.

The excellent Bhapit had the last say in the final minute of additional time with a fine low shot from outside the box. That was just after John had commented that the keeper seemed to be alright as long as he didn’t have to deal with crosses.

It was a decent game of football, again in the excellent company of my mate John, who had his wife and daughter with him. The ladies commented that they enjoyed it because there were no foreign players.

We had met at the reliable and enjoyable Hong Kong Garden for food and beverages with host Peter and a friendly Aussie customer adding to the chat. Post-match, I was kindly deposited at Leo’s, a bistro bar with an amazing collection of Belgian bottled beers, wines, and several European taps, as well as local favourites.

My Roving Report on the day for A Thai Football Podcast

My couple of pints of Guinness went down very well before my Grab cab arrived to take me home to watch the conclusion of the excellent Buriram United v Bangkok United game with fine food and a nightcap beer. Another wonderful afternoon.

Sisaket City 2 Siwilai FC 1 

Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast - Saturday 27th April 2024

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 135 🎟️ Free

This was the last round of games in the semipro league. A new regime at the Thai FA was suggested might view things differently regarding promotion, but whatever, a most entertaining game to finish off proceedings for these two sides.

The win saw City finish third in the standings. The visitors from Mahasarakham had nothing to play for and ended fifth in the division of nine teams. Yet, both sides went about it in proper fashion and provided a game like a cup tie with everything at stake in the sweltering temperatures of over 40 degrees, for the 4pm kick off.

Nitipong Ruangsa saw an effort come crashing back off the bar as Siwilai put together a high-quality move. The visitors went ahead when Pongsaton Manonthong was brought down in the box by keeper Thanachot Sukouan after twenty-three minutes. Nitipong stepped up to put the spot kick away.

Teerawat Anuyan went on a fine individual run for the hosts but saw his effort thwarted by Siwilai goalie Rawee Martrin. Teerawat then put in a pinpoint low cross that Nontavat Bamrungtham somehow managed to put over from two years out. Chances continued to go begging up until the halftime interval.

The equaliser came eight minutes after the restart. Half-time sub Nathakhon Phrommawong quickly discovered that he had the legs on his marker Thanawut Patto after his introduction, and once again skinned his man. His low cross was finished with style by Teerawat. 

How Thanawut, a former T3 player at Surin Khongcheemool, stayed on the pitch until the end was down to the leniency of referee Surawut Nuanyoi. It was total dominance from the home side, but then Siwilai found a second gear and began to forge half-chances of their own. It was a compelling game. How the players coped, I’m not sure, as we were roasting in the stand.

Sending the ballboys to areas with no shade was absolute madness. They tried to shield themselves from the sun using their spare ball. The winner eventually came ten minutes from the end of normal time. Sub Nathakhon unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the box, which took a slight nick off Thanawut and had too much power for Rawee to react. 

Siwilai poured forward and City just about held on, not unlike the style in which big brother Sisaket United won many of their games in 2023-24. No refreshments on sale again at the Rajabhat University Stadium. A stall sold home and away shirts for 300 THB (£6.50) and scarves, believe it or not. Glad I took a large bottle of water with me.

My good lady dropped me at Kanthararom station for the customary train ride through to Sisaket, where I enjoyed an excellent locally brewed 5% wheat pale ale, with a strong hint of caramel.

On to Hong Kong Garden for a baguette and beer, with post-match refreshments being taken in the excellent Leo’s bar and restaurant, with my trusted ally. Home via taxi to enjoy snacks, an excellent Port away win on my laptop from the Thai League and then the second half of Man Utd v Burnley. A top day out.

at Sisaket SAT Stadium

Sisaket City 4 Chaiyaphum Sports College 1 

Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast - Sunday 10th May 2026 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 150 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

An entertaining afternoon at the SAT Stadium, as the sparse crowd laughed along while the hosts missed a bagful of chances that are more than likely to cost them promotion on goal difference.

Such was the haplessness of the visitors and even greater inadequacy of City’s Nathakon, that the coach took him off to save him from further embarrassment as he spurned numerous chances, I’d have been disappointed at missing, even at my age. He did eventually get on the scoresheet, scoring from about two yards.

It was a frustrating first thirty minutes before the high line of the Chaiyaphum defence was breached, and the ball was put into the net. Natthaphon Ruengpimpa completed a brace before the interval. The first was aided by visiting defender Thanadech Patthum, who was as hapless as hapless can be described.

The Chaiyaphum keeper, Thotsaphon Maneethong, gave a performance that suggested that he had enrolled for a gymnastic course and helped the football team out on a weekend, such perfection was his rolls and recovery. He even stopped a few efforts that hadn’t somehow evaded the target.

Paradon Mangkagarn was outstanding in midfield for Sisaket, alongside the impressive Wanattanan Jhantasorn, who calmly added the fourth goal in the eighty-seventh minute. Fair play to Chaiyaphum, who were rewarded with a fine goal late on in the heat, through a shot from outside the box from Traikun Thongklee.

Everyone applauded the effort, with the later realisation, at least to me, that it might affect the title. It took me back to the away end at Plough Lane in 1983, when the Hull City fans cheered a late Wimbledon goal, as the Tigers were already 4-0 up. They missed out on promotion by one goal.

Pitchaya, who went top with a 6-0 win, and third-place Esan Fighter both have Chaiyaphum to play in their final two games. I fear they won’t be as sympathetic in front of goal. Sisaket, meanwhile, face a tough game away to fourth-place Warin Chamrap next week, who also have title aspirations.

A cracking few hours as usual, with golf going extremely well, and then watching one-time Thai big guns Muangthong United being relegated while enjoying a fine meal and the three big bottles of Leo for 229 Baht (£5.20) offer.

Sisaket City 7 Yasothon Industrial Training College 0 

Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c300 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)

The thought of my mate John and me was that the missed chances against Chaiyaphum a couple of weeks earlier would come back to bite Sisaket, and so it proved, as they fell two goals short of promotion on goal difference.

It could easily have been 3-3 after 12 minutes, rather than the 3-0 lead after Nathakon, Paradon, and Wisanuphong Priwan had given the hosts a flying start. Then followed a lull as it looked like any hopes of going up could be put to bed.

However, in the few minutes up to the break, Paradon and Wisanuphong made it 5-0. It was noticeable that our game was not being filmed and shown live on the club’s Facebook page, while the scores from the other two games affecting the title were not online. Maybe a directive from the league?

The dreams were truly alive, as within ten minutes of the restart, both Paradon and Wisanuphong had completed their hat-tricks. However, the Yasothon side, who gave it 100% for ninety minutes, were not going to roll over, continuing to create chances, with City goalie Peerath having to make a few decent saves.

Another factor was the hot afternoon and injuries to a few home players in the second half, as well as more players going down suffering from cramp. Wanattanan was outstanding for City, controlling the midfield, but he eventually ran out of steam. Surely, a T3 club would sign him.

Confirmation was received an hour after the game as the results were placed online. Disappointment for Sisaket, hoping to make it a triple promotion season for the city. The usual excellent afternoon out for me with golf, food and beer, and then home to enjoy Hull City winning the playoff football.