FC Yala

FC Yala is a professional football club from the southern Thai city of the same name. The club has evolved through several identities, including Yara United and Jalor City, before becoming FC Yala. The present club was formed in August 2018, as Jalor City FC, going on to win the Thailand Amateur League South at the first attempt to win promotion to the Thai League. 

2009–2016 early years

The new club sensed their opportunity following the demise of Yara United FC, a club formed in 2009, that played in the Regional League Division 2 Southern Region. Yala Province Stadium was their initial home ground, where fifth place was achieved in 2013. 

They moved to Jura Stadium, also known as Yala City Municipality Stadium, the following year. Their best performance came in 2015 when they finished third, before being allocated a place in Thai League 4 in 2017 when they ended in seventh spot with Pithak Abdulraman topping the scoring.

2017–2022 restructuring period

United failed to meet the club licensing regulations and were banned from playing in the Thai League for two seasons. They didn’t reappear to take the opportunity to try and win promotion through the Amateur League when their suspension ended. 

By this time, Jalor had finished their debut 2019 season at Jaru Stadium in fifth place with Suttichai Doungead and Muhammadsalfadee Jehteh finishing as joint top scorers. The Thai League was restructured ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, with it reverting to a European playing calendar.

Ayu Lateh topped the scoring while Firhan Masae remained reliable in goal as the side finished seventh in the extended Thai League 3 South under head coach Muklis Tahetasae. Home games in the 2021-22 campaign were played at The Thai National Sports University Yala Campus, which can be viewed by clicking here.

The season ended again in mid-table for Jalor with former United forward Pithak putting away the goals for the “Jigsaw”. They remained at the same venue, which ended up in a disappointing finish, third from the bottom of the table in 2022-23, as Sakeereen Teekasom played his part playing up front. 

2023 - Rebrand + growth

Jalor City FC were renamed FC Yala before the 2023-24 season. With the name change came a new coach, with Wirat Kaeyihwa appointed. Home games were played at Yala Rajabhat University in a new stadium devoid of a full-sized running track. Attendances grew enormously, showing the potential of a successful club in the city. 

This was despite the team only ending in eighth position, with Abdelaziz Said El Shaer and Jehhanafee Mamah sharing the goals. Nirun Assawapakdee was given the coach's role for 2024-25 before he was replaced by Adul Muensaman as Yala pushed for a place in the playoffs.

Pattakrit Mahavijit was given the job of head coach for the following season, before being replaced soon into the second leg by Prajak Weangsong, as Yala ended one point outside the playoffs.

FC Yala will play in Thai League 3 South in the 2026-27 season.

My visits

Jaru Stadium

Friday 3rd January 2025

I was conscious of the sensitivities around travelling in Thailand’s southern provinces as my wife and I joined her cousin and his family on the drive down to Betong, near the Malaysian border, during our latest road trip through Laos and Thailand. 

We had made a compromise. While it looked unlikely that I’d be venturing alone to football when visiting relatives in Hat Yai, we agreed that driver Q would stop if the venues were on our route. Fortunately, he was delivering coffee in Pattani and Yala, so at least I’d get some photo opportunities.

The internet is only as good as those who update it. And if a person cannot find out the right information, then they will be prone to errors. This was certainly the case regarding Jaru Stadium, which, according to Wikipedia, had a capacity of 25,000. 

It is fair to say that when we rolled into the car park, I was more than a little underwhelmed. The venue only had one raised stand with the rest open standing, with no access around three sides alongside the running track.

There was little wonder that Jalor City, as FC Yala were called when they used the venue, looked for somewhere else. Its location wasn’t very convenient for the city centre, and it was extremely basic. 

There was a junior match just about to kick off on the artificial pitch when we arrived. Indeed, the gents outside thought that we had gone to watch. They were most welcoming as I wandered about to get my snaps.

Later research by checking social media showed that FC Yala still used it for training and some friendly matches. We headed off through the city, me slightly disappointed that we didn’t go to see the new stadium, but that would have to wait.

Rajabhat University Stadium

Saturday 4th January

The wait was just one day as we made our return towards Hat Yai. Q wanted to visit a shop in the city where he had ordered some sweets for us to try before we cut across in the direction of Rajabhat University. 

Before that, we arrived outside the gates of The Thai National Sports University Yala Campus, which had been the home of FC Yala and, more recently, Yala City FC. A description and photos of the stadium can be seen by clicking here.

The new stadium was just across Tesaban Soi 5, in an area very much geared up for students, with lots of coffee shops, street food, and restaurants. There was plenty of signage on the back of the stand that ran the full length of the pitch, so nobody was in doubt as to who played there. 

I thought that my luck was going to be out as the gates at the rear of the stand were locked, despite hearing activity inside on the pitch. Thankfully, a gate in another corner was open so I could pop inside while the team trained.

The stand was extremely impressive, while the rest of the ground had an enclosed feel with high fences, university buildings, and housing surrounding it. It was the perfect size for a Thai League 3 club. 

Once done, I met up with the rest of the carload who’d been shopping before we headed back to our base in time for Q to take me downtown in Hat Yai, which was another excellent experience.

 

Yala City

Yala City FC is a professional football club based in the southern Thai city of Yala. Formed in 2023, the club entered the Thai Semi-Pro League in the 2023–24 season.

The ‘Potentate of the Killer Roosters’, as they are nicknamed, benefitted from a small Southern Zone competition that year, with only two entrants — Yala City and Phuket Rajabhat University. The sides met four times to decide promotion to Thai League 3 South.

Adilif Chesor scored three times in the series, playing under head coach Ibrohim Kasirak, with home matches staged at the Thailand National Sports University Yala Campus. City eventually earned promotion to join local rivals FC Yala.

Life at a higher level proved more demanding. Results were harder to come by, despite encouraging support for a new club in the system. Samart Chankachang later took over as head coach as the team struggled in a relegation battle.

In November 2024, the club moved venues to share Rajabhat University Stadium with FC Yala, before briefly returning to their original ground the following February. A stoppage-time goal by Phuket Andaman sealed their relegation at the end of the 2024–25 season.

A goal in stoppage time by Phuket Andaman at Yala FC saw City relegated at the end of the 2024-25 season, before they regrouped to play in the 2026 Thai Semi-Pro League

Yala City FC will play in the Thai Semi-Pro League South in the 2026 season.

My visit

Saturday 4th January 2025

The latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand, embarked upon by my wife and her relatives from Hat Yai in the south, had reached the Malaysian border at Betong, which proved to be a very enjoyable place to spend an evening. 

On our way back, Q, Taew’s cousin, had said that he would take me to the stadium in Yala after visiting Jaru Stadium the previous day. Sure enough, after collecting a sweet order from a shop in the city with a reputation for making unique items, we cut back towards the university area.

I’d have been happy with parking at the back of the Rajabhat Stadium and maybe got a glimpse of the Stadium of Thailand National Sports University located over the road. Still, my driver was having none of it. 

We entered the car park, where many were keeping fit and running around the track. The stadium was no thing of beauty, but perfectly adequate for Thai League 3 football, with a raised stand complete with a roof on one side and an open raised enclosure opposite.

Once I had got my snaps, we went round to the home of FC Yala before heading back to Hat Yai for food and then Q and I headed downtown in Hat Yai, my host ever eager to impress me. 

Phang Nga

Phang Nga FC was formed in 2009 to represent the province of the same name in southern Thailand, located north of Krabi and Phuket. The club entered the third-tier Regional League Division 2 Southern Region for the 2010 season.

In their debut campaign, the ‘Dredgers’ finished eighth, playing home games at Phang Nga Provincial Administrative Organization Stadium in the main town. They improved to fifth place the following year.

Progress continued with fourth-place finishes in both 2012 and 2013, although full details from this period are limited as the Thai league system continued to evolve.

A decline followed, with tenth in 2014 and bottom place in 2015. A slight improvement the following season helped them avoid automatic relegation, but problems were emerging both on and off the pitch.

When Thai football restructured for 2017, Phang Nga were placed in Thai League 4 but later failed to meet licensing requirements and were excluded from the system. An attempted return under the name Phangnga United in the Amateur League was unsuccessful.

The stadium remained in good condition despite the absence of a regular home team, occasionally used for community sport and training. It also briefly hosted Phuket Andaman FC during the 2024–25 season while Surakul Stadium was under renovation.

A new Phang Nga United side was formed in 2025, along with its own academy, with ambitions of reaching Thai League 3 via the Semi-Pro League.

My visit

Thursday 9th January 2025

When an opportunity knocks, I am not the type to let it go begging, and so it was on this glorious Thursday lunchtime as I was sitting in the back of a car driven by a local man who was offering a taxi service on the latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand.

He had delivered us to the boat pier so that we could enjoy the incredible delights of Panyee Island, which included a floating football pitch, before he collected us once again. This time, he took us somewhere that sold the best type of local food, which my wife Taew bought for our tea.

Our driver wanted to visit somewhere on the way back to our hotel, and I sensed my chance. I asked my good lady to tell him to take us to the stadium, and I would give him a tip in return. With both parties happy, we were soon outside the arena.

Like so many in Thailand, it was for the community to use. But this one was a bit special. It had covered stands facing each other across the track and pitch, both in pristine condition, but the outstanding feature was the backdrop.

The stunning, steep faces of the mountains which enclosed the far side were simply incredible. It must be up there with any venues anywhere in terms of scenery and aesthetic value. I was so happy that we visited.

Our man could not have been more helpful, taking us back to our hotel. I nipped back along the main road to have my head shaved and talk to more marvellously friendly locals in a town that didn’t have much happening, but the scenery more than made up for it.

Chira Nakhon Stadium (Hat Yai)

The Chira Nakhon Stadium in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, was built in 1944 and has long served as the city’s main sporting venue. Before the arrival of structured national leagues around the turn of the millennium, it regularly hosted football and other events.

The first Hat Yai club to compete in national competition was Hatyai FC, who entered the Regional League Division 2 Southern Region in 2010 as an expansion side, finishing twelfth in their debut season.

A strong improvement followed as the ‘Red Eagles’ climbed to fourth the next year, before slipping to eighth in 2012. After a brief hiatus, they returned in 2014 but struggled near the bottom of the table, eventually stepping away again.

Hatyai FC returned once more in 2016, finishing tenth, before improving to fifth in 2017 and third in 2018, with Akkarapol Meesawat leading the scoring during their spell at Muang Lak Southern Stadium.

 

By this stage, a second club had emerged in the city. Hatyai City won the Thailand Amateur League South in 2017 and joined the restructured Thai League system, initially sharing Chira Nakhon Stadium with their rivals.

They achieved mid-table finishes in their early seasons, with Teerawat Durnee and later Apdussalam Saman among the key scorers, before relocating to Southern Major City Stadium.

After the pandemic and further restructuring, the club rebranded as Young Singh Hatyai United, returning to Chira Nakhon Stadium for a period. Despite a strong 2021–22 season, off-field issues saw them fail licensing requirements and exit the league system.

As of early 2024, there has been no successful revival of a Hat Yai-based club in the national structure.

My visit

Wednesday 1st January 2025

Many times, in the past, I have celebrated the start of the New Year by heading off to football to blow the cobwebs away and enjoy the cold air and a few beers. It would have been remiss of me not to fit in some football even while in a new city to me.

My wife and I were in Hat Yai with her cousin and family on the latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand. The countdown to midnight had been celebrated with Q as he showed me downtown and then on to a late bar with other friends and relatives.

I was certainly in need of cobwebs being blown away and desperately wanted to find a store selling tea bags, having made the schoolboy error of forgetting to pack any at the start of our jaunt. I had mentioned that I would walk to the stadium to get my steps count in the following morning with some exercise. 

However, our hosts said it was a long way, and we could kill two birds with one stone. Well, three as it transpired, as we were also treated to a sightseeing tour of the city and that of Songkhla before dining at an amazing restaurant that had a museum.

The stadium was not unlike many other provincial venues around the country. Where the Chira Nakhon Stadium differed was that it had an uninterrupted horseshoe open bowl and then a main stand that stood alone. All the seats were blue and green.

Compared to many venues still hosting Thai League football, it was in marvellous condition and well-maintained. One wondered why a sustainable club in such a large cosmopolitan city failed to take off. No doubt, being badly run saw off the previous two Hat Yai clubs, as could Songkhla FC, as the province’s major outfit.

Once I had enjoyed my little dalliance, I was taken to a large store near the railway station to buy tea bags, some mature cheddar cheese, and crackers. While I love Thai food, I sometimes need some comfort eating and drinking.

Betong Stadium

Betong Stadium is a multi-purpose venue in Betong, Thailand’s southernmost town in Yala Province. Information is limited regarding regular tenants, and there appears to be no established 11-a-side club currently competing in the national league system.

A Facebook page for Betong FC exists, focused mainly on youth development and futsal. The stadium is also used for community events, including the Betong District Cup, a local competition involving several teams aimed at encouraging positive use of leisure time.

Further delving reveals that the Betong District Cup, played between six different teams, was staged at the stadium, as the local authority looked to promote the values of using free time beneficially, to stay away from drugs and all vices. It also stages other community activities.

My visit

Saturday 4th January 2025

We were in Betong at the southernmost point of Thailand as part of a road journey with my wife and her cousin’s family, travelling through Yala Province on the latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand. A fantastic journey all told, and Betong lived up to anywhere else with a decent bar suitable for families, being enjoyed at the end of a sightseeing Friday. 

I had intended to walk to the stadium the following morning, but Q, our driver, offered to take us up the steep hillside instead, combining the visit with nearby sightseeing around Sud Siam Park. I had tried to see if the floodlights were being used to save a second trip when we were wandering around the night market.

However, there was no need to worry. I always try to gather information about the places that I visit, and Betong City Museum was also nearby, and worth calling by, so I convinced my fellow travellers anyway. Q, our driver took us up the extremely steep hill to save a lot of hassle. 

While my wife and the others relaxed nearby, I went to explore the stadium and take photographs. I was immediately impressed.

The ground is built into the hillside, with two sides blending into the natural slope. The near end features a terraced grass bank cut into the terrain, while the far end is framed by arches and columns that give the venue a surprising sense of grandeur for a provincial stadium.

It brought to mind Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, particularly in the way it sits within its landscape rather than fighting against it.

It felt a shame that no established club is based here at present, although the logistical challenges of competing at the national level from such a remote location are easy to understand. Even so, it is a venue that would not disappoint visiting teams.

It was one of those places that made me want to keep turning back for another look, but it was time to continue the journey north towards Yala and the next set of grounds.

If Betong ever enters the national league structure, it would be a fixture worth returning for.

Pattani

Pattani FC is a professional football club from the Thai southern city of the same name. The ‘Queen Cannons’ were formed in 2009, being admitted into the Regional League Division 2 Southern Region, playing home games at Pattani Municipal Stadium.

The side finished fourth in their debut season, and then one place higher in 2011. A runners-up spot ensued in 2012, with Al Hadji Adamou putting away the goals. Ahmed Toota and then Ahmed Kodmany thrilled the home fans before Elvis Job became the top scorer for two seasons.

That helped Pattani to another second place in 2015. The Thai League system was reorganised for the 2017 season, with the club being placed in Thai League 4 South. Ibrahim Dicko led the scoring chart, which ended in second place. Any chance of promotion was ended in the playoffs by Grakcu Sai Mai United.

Another second regional finish and Champions League playoffs followed in 2019, which ended in promotion partly through the goals of Georgi Tsimakuridze, leading to a place in Thai League 3, However, COVID-19 would then intervene.

Again, the Thai League decided to restructure and follow the European football calendar for the 2020-21 campaign. Chakris Tiaiadyo would lead the scoring for the next two seasons as Pattani found themselves competing in Thai League 3 South.

A couple of disappointing seasons ensued, with the side being led by Maka Hoprasartsuk before he was replaced in the summer of 2021 by Banpot Chaichanadet. Sathot Bensoh was appointed ahead of the 2022-23 season before the arrival of Teeratada Chamrus after the midseason break. 

The goals of Pithak Abdulrahman helped the Gunners to the fourth spot before they improved by one place a year later under head coach Damian Bellon, as Natan Oliveira scored twenty goals. By now, improvements and a name change saw the Rainbow Stadium being rechristened.

A trio of Brazilians looked to push Pattani towards the playoff places in 2024-25. Pattarapol Naprasart was put in charge of the team before he was replaced by Nirun Assawapakdee at the halfway mark of the season.

The Queen Canons reached the playoffs, where they won promotion with a two-legged win against North Bangkok University to reach the second level of Thai football for the first time. Two capacity crowds showed signs of great potential. Harnarong Chunhakunakorn came in as head coach soon into the 2025-26 campaign.

Pattani FC will play in the Thai League 2 in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Friday 3rd January 2025

The latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand with my wife, her cousin and his family provided me with an opportunity to call into the Rainbow Stadium to take some photos. It wasn’t in the plans when we set out in the car heading towards Betong, but things changed thanks to a conversation.

I mentioned that if we stayed again in Hat Yai, I’d take the train to watch a game in Pattani. However, Taew had different thoughts on the matter, as she said it was not advisable to travel independently without local guidance.

The south of Thailand had been embroiled in tensions for a couple of decades or more, with bombings and terrorist attacks still taking place. We therefore made a compromise, with Q our guide driving me to the venue. It was probably not an appropriate time to mention our previous away trips in the 80s to the likes of Millwall, Leeds, Stoke, and Middlesbrough, so I kept quiet.

It was quite a nice venue, even if similar to many provincial stadia around the country. Paintwork alone had clearly lifted what is otherwise an open bowl. One side had a roof over the seats, with the rest being open to the elements.

Delighted at the chance to visit a vibrant stadium, it was time to get back underway, continuing on to discover more of the region and its surroundings.

Panyee FC

All About Panyee FC

Panyee FC is an example of many others in Thailand that play matches against each other and have a strong community ethos. The big difference at Panyee is that the ground is on a small island built over the sea, with a small pitch floating on the water.

A Ground Like No Other

Ko Panyee is an island formed and built on stilts by immigrant Javanese fishermen on the sea in Phang Nga province in southern Thailand. The island has an active life, with fishing still playing a huge part, along with tourism, as thousands head there by boat to see what it’s all about.

The youngsters of the island wanted activities. However, there wasn’t enough room on the island for a football pitch, so one was built on a floating platform on the ocean. The view is dominated by a stunning, huge vertical limestone cliff, shadowing the population of around 1,600 people living mainly in shacks.

Previously, it required a couple of months' wait before the tide was low enough so they could play on the sand. The fishermen built a ground for the youth to play on using fish cages that were covered by wooden planks. The nails and planks were prone to movement and were not ideal, despite regular maintenance.

The current pitch is made of floating pontoons, rubber and reinforced plastic, which can be moved around the island. On my visit, it was by the local school and mosque on the western side of the island.

Youth tournaments for those between the ages of 7 and 18 are staged, with Panyee FC often competing in national competitions, going on to become one of the best youth sides in the south of Thailand.

My visit

Thursday 9th January 2025

Why Panyee Island?

On the latest leg of our tour of Laos and Thailand with my wife, we had left her cousin and his family back in Hat Yai. Taew, for some reason, wanted to visit Phang Nga, which I associated with the coast and seaside resorts.

However, she knew that there was much more to the province. I remembered it once she showed me images of Ko Panyee once again. I didn't need any persuasion to book two nights in Phang Nga town.

Planning Our Trip

Our plan was to find somewhere offering a tour of the island. I thought it was the best option, having done an island-hopping tour of Phi Phi the day before. But my good lady wasn’t keen. Not that there was to be a tour operator to be found anywhere anyway.

She quizzed the staff at the restaurant where we dined on Wednesday evening, and they seemed to think that we could catch a bus to the pier where the boat would take us to Ko Panyee, but they weren’t sure.

Helpful Local Thais

The receptionist at the TP Place Hotel was more helpful, telling Taew that she could get us a songthaew to take us to the pier. So, that’s what we did. Our driver arrived and apologised that his vehicle was on another job, but he’d take us in his car.

The pair of Thais nattered away happily, with Taew grabbing information from the knowledgeable local. He dropped us off, and after a short wait, we were ushered onto a boat where a Western tourist was already sitting.

The Penny Drops

I had been on my phone. I remembered the island from our previous chats, as well as an online converation online with a friend who sent me images and an article about the astonishing floating football pitch. I was really looking forward to seeing it in real life.

We shared a boat with a man who had paid for a private tour. We were going to be dropped off on the way. The views in Phang Nga Bay were breathtaking, not least the approach to the island. Once on the jetty and in the village on stilts, it was time to explore.

A Busy Tourist Destination

Over 3,000 tourists flock to the island every day, so naturally enough, there were lots of souvenir shops and places to eat and drink. At the end of each narrow path, all under shelter, another incredible view appeared and more photo opportunities.

The locals may have seen it all before, but for the first timer, it was truly astonishing. Signs led us to where the football pitch was located. However, it wasn't there. Eventually, we saw it when we reached the school, before following the path past the mosque.

Swimming to Retrieve the Ball

The pitch was in great condition with high netting all around it. It still meant that loose shots would still mean the offender having to swim to fetch the ball back. It was a strange sensation, and I could imagine it being tricky getting used to playing on something constantly moving. Thankfully, it swayed gently on this occasion.

By the look of the murals that we saw, there was plenty of love for football, with Liverpool being the club most cheered for. I'd love to see street art supporting a local side occasionally.

A Perfect Ending

We rounded off our wonderful visit by eating fresh crab in a small restaurant where chatty old girls made sure everything was OK. The sorted us a boat service back to the pier to meet up with our driver. It was that sort of day and place. The people couldn't have been nicer.