Lopburi City

A Potted History of Lopburi City

Early Years

The professional Thai football club of Lopburi City was formed in 2022, in the city of the same name, known for the wild monkeys that live there. Previously, another club, Lopburi FC, nicknamed the Fire Wan, represented the province from 1980 until 2016.

The new club, ‘Hanumans’, successfully entered the Thailand Amateur League in 2022, creating a pathway to professional football under coach Sanong Taengngam. They won their group, progressing to the final of the West Region competition after beating Khoksamrong City and Pakchong SCK.

The main stand at Phra Ramesuan Stadium

Promotion to Thai League 3

Kanchanaburi City proved too strong in the area final, coming out on top 1-0 at Jifah Stadium, but the job was done. Lopburi were placed in Thai League 3 West, with their home games to be played at Phra Ramesuan Stadium, otherwise known as Lopburi Provincial Stadium.

They finished eleventh in their debut season, as Ahmadou Tidjani and Noppadon Kasaen scored the goals, with Kaveepan Taveebut appointed as the new coach for the second half of the 2022-23 campaign.

Phra Ramesuan Stadium

Regional Success

Top scorer Dzama Bata helped the team to fifth place the following season, with Achira Thongjerm in charge of playing matters. Alex Mermoz was the star man in 2024-25, scoring the goals to take the team to the regional title, after they had been moved to Thai League 3 Central.

In the playoffs, Lopburi finished second in Group A before Mermoz headed to Nongbua Pitchaya. During the title-winning season, Nirut Sarasaeng began it as head coach, before a 4-1 away defeat in October saw the appointment of Panithan Munprathes.

Recent Changes

Sakon Saenharn replaced Panithan a year after he had been given the job, as Lopburi finished in a disappointing league position despite the goals of Eric Kumi.

Lopburi City FC will play in Thai League 3 Central in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Lopburi City 0 Hua Hin City 2 

Saturday 29th October 2022

Thai League 3 West 

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Studying the fixtures for Thai football matches was my general habit during the week, as I tried to combine a game with visiting somewhere of interest at the same time. It was always more than just ninety minutes of football to me.

Lopburi had caught my attention a few months earlier, when I passed through it on the train on the way to Phitsanulok. It looked like a fascinating place, with traces of Ayutthaya in the ruins by the side of the tracks, with a level crossing across the main road adding to its features.

Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat

The trains fitted in nicely with my plans, so off I set to Lak Si station to take the service north with plenty of time to spare before the 3.30 pm kick off. Or so I thought. Inevitably enough, the service ran a little late, before I headed out of yet another immaculate station, with the usual old steam engine on a roundabout outside.

My eyes were met by the ruins of Wat Bandai Hin to my left and Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat straight ahead, which was even more impressive. So much so that I paid the admission fee to have a look around. Who’d have thought that on a football away day?

Monkeying Around at Phra Prang Sam Yot

Normal service was soon resumed after wandering around the atmospheric local streets to a café bar that I had found during research. However, it was closed when I arrived. Not to worry, as Noom Guest House & Restaurant was exactly what I was looking for in the way of some Western comfort food and a cold beer.

Pie, chips, and gravy, along with a couple of Leo’s later, I headed to Phra Prang Sam Yot, where the monkeys were running wild. I was most careful to keep hold of my phone while taking photos. Crossing the railway, I hailed a passing songthaew that I knew was heading in the right direction.

My homemade postcard of the day

I alighted at Si Suriyothai Circle, walking around to the entrance of the zoo. There was something deeply ironic in knowing that inside animals were confined, while up the road, monkeys were running free. I’ll never fully understand us humans.

It was a fair old hike from there to Phra Ramesuan Stadium. Certainly, further than I estimated in the heat. There wasn’t much happening as I walked through the gates and past the communal exercise equipment. I was directed around to the far side, where a couple of temporary stalls were set up to buy water.

Match Ticket

It was a decent arena, with both sides having raised covered seated stands, with the pitch having a running track around it. There was a scoreboard behind one goal. Further along was a steep, uncovered seating area in the corner, ideal for looking down the sprint track when athletic meetings were being held. 

Soon into the game, I wished I had the excitement of some track and field events to keep me entertained, as there was very little quality being exhibited on the pitch, the surface of which was also poor.

At least the locals were friendly, as they had been all day, despite their team giving them little to shout about, with several aping professional footballers. Opponents Hua Hin were no great shakes either. They didn’t need to be, going on to take the spoils with two goals a minute apart midway through the second half.

Chitsanuphong Phimpsang and substitute, Ndiogou Ba, were the scorers to send the handful of away supporters home happy. I wasn’t upset either way, having had a pleasant afternoon somewhere I’d not been to before.

At the end, I crossed the road and hailed a songthaew, which took me back to the area near the station, where a night market was in full swing. It was the ideal place to purchase some snacks for the train ride home, which required me to show my passport and book a seat on the express service.

Taew had opened her place back in Minburi, where some of our Thai friends had arrived having won on the lottery. I got my skates on when the train arrived at Lak Si, found a taxi, and was soon joining them for food and drink to round off a wonderful day out in the heat.

If you have enjoyed reading this article, you may wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos to watch, as well as a huge range covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles. 

The video I made during my day in Lopburi can be watched here.

The Remarkable Rise of Rasisalai United

 

The Remarkable Rise of Rasisalai United

My tribute as a regular attendee to Rasisalai United, a club that has achieved great things in a relatively short time. 

Written April 2026

When Nuchanart (Nuch) Jaruwongsatian set about forming Rasisalai United as a youth side back in 2019, I don’t suppose she thought that, realistically, seven years later, her little club would be playing in the top tier of Thai football against the likes of Buriram United, BG Pathum United and Port FC.

But that’s the reality. It’s an amazing story which shows that staying loyal to local players with a real affinity to the club and their teammates, and then astute foreign signings, can make a world of difference and elevate a well-run side all the way to the summit.

It’s even more astonishing a story when considering that for their first two years, football was severely disrupted by the pandemic. However, the Thailand Amateur League, which was shoehorned into the middle months of 2022, offered a sense of what success felt like to the Monkey Kings, as Rasi are nicknamed.

A 3-0 win against Roi-Et 2018 on their opponents' home pitch sent Rasisalai into the Thai League 3 for the following season. Momentum continued to build, as they then defeated Kongkrilas United, Warship United, and Muang Trang United in the final to become national amateur champions.

Sisaket SAT Stadium under the lights

Their home leg in the showpiece was played at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium, home of province neighbours, Sisaket United, before the club became tenants at the SAT Stadium, once among the provincial ranks.

I have used the word, neighbours advisedly, as Sisaket is somewhat of a throwback to how football used to be in many English cities where two clubs existed. Rasi do not have a sufficient venue in their hometown, around 40-minutes away on the banks of the River Mun, meaning that they play in the capital of the province, with football fans going to watch whoever is at home.

While segregation is in place at the derby games, there is little need for it as everyone gets on, with many cheering for the side on the other side of the fence the following week.

In their debut season in the league, Rasi finished third and dashed the title hopes of Sisaket with a 1-0 home win. Sisaket went on to win T3 Northeast in 2023-24, along with promotion, while Rasi ended in a disappointing eighth place. Just 69 fans attended their home match on a Wednesday afternoon against Muang Loei United, with many of those attending leaving at the interval to watch Sisaket take on Khon Kaen Mordingdang in the later kick-off.

Action under the Tower. It sure beats Blackpool

Nuch made a superb appointment ahead of the 2024-25 campaign when coach Arnon Bandasak was brought in. He signed his former star from his time at Phitsanulok, the veteran forward, Gilberto Macena. Defender Ramon Mesquita, another player with vast experience, was signed to skipper the side, while fellow Brazilian Alberto Gouvea smashed away the goals.

We met Alberto as a fellow spectator at the opening Sisaket match of the season, and he pronounced he would score lots of goals. He wasn’t joking. Rasisalai simply blew away opponent after opponent with their fast-attacking play. Some of their matches were truly brilliant, including an amazing win against Pattani in the playoffs, which went a long way to securing promotion before the T3 national title was secured against Songkhla.

The atmosphere at the two derby games and the crowds of over 4,000 were simply breathtaking, with a real party atmosphere and superb action on the pitch. There is little wonder that interest continued to develop throughout the season as to what was going on in the northeast.

The team bus

One of the great joys of watching Rasisalai is their vulnerability at the back, which means they attack even more. The incredible 2025-26 season has seen them promoted with four games to spare. Teams simply have no answer despite often scoring and being on top for parts of a game. The only times that Rasi have looked vulnerable have been in the derby against Sisaket, with Ramon missing in the away defeat, and when injuries have depleted important areas.

The real key behind their success, alongside the astute foreign signings and veteran goalkeeper Sakkongpop Sukprasert, is the midfield twins of Nattapon and Natchanon Yongsakool. Indeed, when studying the teamsheet from the Amateur final of 2022, it is interesting to note that six of the side are still regulars, having gone through the divisions and learned together as friends. 

Bids were turned down for the twins, who have both missed games through injury when the only slight wobble occurred. They are dynamic, skilful, dangerous from set pieces and a joy to watch from a very special vantage position.

My friend John, who I watch Sisaket and Rasi, is a member of the gym where the Rasisalai players train. He's got to know them and coach Arnon, as well as the partners of some of the team and their offspring. In T3, we would simply choose the best seat in the main stand, which happened to be in the VIP area, with no questions asked, because stewarding wasn't required. We've continued to sit there around the dignitaries and those connected with the club, including Arnon when he served a touchline ban.

We sit somewhere in there

While I'm no fan of corporate seating as I prefer to be candid, have a good drink, and enjoy a match without watching my P's and Q's, it has been fun watching a season play out among those who have a far greater interest. Sure, I am delighted that Rasi have gone up, but I would have preferred Sisaket to pip them to the title. Whether Sisaket will join Rasisalai in the top-flight next season hangs in the balance as I pen this piece.

Huge credit too must go to Nuch. It’s fair to say that she can become emotional at times and will serve a ban until the end of the season for her antics against Pattaya United. But she has created a club with a lovely atmosphere that appeals to more youngsters than traditionalists. And she certainly cares. She is friendly to everyone who attends and will be sure to get plenty of attention next season.

The club sells lots of merchandise. The adoption of green and white hoops as an away kit has seen unprecedented sales. Ticket prices have remained at 60 Baht since winning promotion to T3, which has seen crowds grow with the entertainment on show offering outstanding value for money.

How will Rasi cope in T1? It’s difficult to assess, as one potential pointer is unavailable, as the club didn’t enter either domestic cup this season. As the quarter finals of the League Cup have shown, there is a massive gulf between T2 and the top-flight, with three sides around the playoffs being well beaten by higher-grade opposition.

Will there be enough money to sign the seven foreigners allowed in T1, and who will be doing the recruiting? Again, these are unknowns that we’ll have to wait to find out. What is for sure is that the meteoric rise of Rasisalai has been wonderful to watch, and there’ll be more fun yet to come.

 

The Futera is Bright in North Bangkok

 The Futera is Bright in North Bangkok

Futera United 5 Saraburi United 2

Sunday 16th November 2025

Thai League 3 Central

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I guess I’m the sort of bloke for whom the phrase, more clubs than Jack Nicklaus was invented. The truth is, I love football and go out of my way to have a good day when going to a match. Over the years, I’ve grown fond of many clubs, whether just passing through for the day or going to watch them regularly.

This might be because the locals have gone out of their way to give me a warm welcome, or the atmosphere at a game has been superb. Sometimes it’s the quality of the nearby pubs or a town that has captured my heartstrings. On other occasions, it might be because a mate supports a particular team, and I don’t like seeing them sad. 

In my later years, I cannot understand the mentality behind the pleasure that some derive from baiting others over a football result or things going wrong. As for anyone who describes this as being "only banter", well, I would ban them from social media or stadiums for a year. Those, along with any wrong ’uns I cross paths with, are welcome to suffer at full-time every week.

As a traditionalist, Futera United are everything that I should dislike. They are a club run on the 3Web, digitally, and they embrace cryptocurrency and NFTs, which are tokens purchased by those wishing to become holders, or members, in old money. Essentially, Futera is fan-owned, but in a modern way that can lead to old-school football fans screaming. They have a huge following online and sell a ridiculous amount of merchandise, appealing to the younger generation, rather than crusties who turn their hog out if a club doesn't issue a programme.

The club appeared on Talksport’s Hawksbee & Jacobs afternoon show on a feature about trading cards, as Futera is a company that produces them, and is the finance behind the football club. Their holders can have their say on tactics, selection, formations, kits, and lots of other things. There are Futera NFT holders all around the world who watch their matches live on different streaming services. How far the club can go remains to be seen.

I first met founder Mark Watson at a game in March 2013, when the original club, Futera Seeker, played in the old third-tier Thai Regional League Central West Region. I went to an away game, and Mark let me in behind the scenes to see how matchdays operated. I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing.

Back then, holders could vote and offer their input during a game. Mark monitored it all on a laptop in the press area and then contacted the coach on the bench by walkie-talkie to implement changes while the match was in progress. Unbelievable if I hadn’t experienced it with my own eyes.

Seeker went alone, before Futera United was reborn, starting in the lower divisions of the amateur Bangkok Premier League. The club entered the FA Cup in 2022-23, losing 3-0 away to Sisaket United, which was a credible result against a side that would reach the Thai League 3 playoffs a few months later.

The club entered the Thai Semipro League the following season, and again in 2024-25, which is where they were the beneficiaries of extra promotion places being available. As Futera is run well, they went up in third place, despite finishing with less organised outfits, making the Bangkok University Stadium their home ground as they re-entered professional football. 

The story was one that I loved, with the sheer positivity and having the confidence to think outside the box, especially in Thailand, a country notorious for being stuck in its ways. It led me to make a video about it all for my YouTube channel.

The start of the 2025-26 season was tough, despite scoring plenty of goals, owing to a leaky defence, poor game management, and some goalkeeping best forgotten about. It’s fair to say that some refereeing decisions not awarded were also a reason for their indifferent results. It would be their fifth match before they picked up a point, going on to draw twice more. The most recent of which was against the only side below them on goal difference, Singburi Warriors, despite dominating much of the game.

The reason that I can describe much of the above is that the Thai League, through the telecom company AIS, shows every single game live free of charge on TV through a box which is cheap to get hold of, or on their App. I generally watch the afternoon Futera game in our local pre-match pub of choice, before heading off to watch Sisaket United or Rasisalai United. It’s a magnificent service.

Anyway, with me heading to Bangkok with my wife to meet up with friends before flying to Chiang Mai to celebrate my sixtieth birthday over a cricket weekend, I decided it was time for Futera to get my support in the flesh, joined by my good mate Jarvo, over from the UK and going to his first Thai football game.

What we experienced was one of the more bizarre games of football I've seen in Thailand, and there have been plenty to choose from. Three sending-offs in the first half, eight goals, and the woodwork being struck six or seven times, in a game that both sides were desperate not to lose.

The visiting goalie, Rungarun Sumala, was shown a red card in the second minute, after he handled outside the box to deny a goalscoring opportunity. He stood motionless, not quite believing what was happening. How ironic, when attending a game featuring the most modern of clubs, that we were about to be treated to something that took me back to when I think football was better.

Chaos ensued because Saraburi didn’t have a goalkeeper on the bench. In the end, it was decided that the captain and defender, Yuttapong Srilakon, would go between the sticks after a delay of over ten minutes, as he added to the indignity of Rungarun by changing into his pink shorts and socks. 

Bureaucracy gone mad, especially when he then donned a yellow shirt that clashed with the colour worn by the match officials. A shout of “get on with it” was aired, which meant that another expat was in attendance, or a Thai had spent the summer at Headingley.

Whatever Yuttapong’s respective qualities are in defence remained to be seen, but it's fair to say that he wasn't great as a goalkeeper. He fumbled the weak resulting free kick, allowing Pharanyou Sawatpakdee to tap in from close range. The stand-in tipped a shot over the bar, before it was 2-0 once the corner was swung in as Nattawut Jandit pounced at the back post. We purred with delight at what we were about to receive.

There have been great memories of makeshift goalies being heroes over the years. Vinnie Jones for Wimbledon at Newcastle, Bobby Moore for West Ham against Stoke, saving a penalty from some bloke called Bernard, and of course Mitch Cook’s heroic performance replacing broken leg victim Kevin Blackwell for Scarborough away at Scunthorpe. This was not to be another to add to the list.

Play meanwhile in Bangkok’s northernmost suburbs was getting tetchy. Referee Dassakhon Hokla wasn’t particularly covering himself in glory, with his weak match management. He sent off home player Songkhun Khongsukko and away man Nitibodin Makot for a set-to, which involved nearly everyone on the pitch. There were fifteen minutes of additional time at the end of the half. Sarankrit Artwichien extended the lead in the third, with a fine low finish.

I was certainly not short of material for my Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast. The one dampener was that owner Mark was away on business and missed the match. I’m sure he would have enjoyed sitting in relaxed mode in the stand. It was great fun, with ice-cold Leo’s lubricating the larynx regularly.

The second half was wide open as the match ball collected splinters coming back repeatedly off the post and bar, with the keepers at both ends well beaten. Sarankrit made it 4-0 seven minutes in, before a fifth was added by substitute, Kawee Deesawat, with around twenty-five minutes remaining.  

Credit to Saraburi, who were cheered on without much restraint by a healthy turnout, despite requests to respect the passing of Queen Sirikit. They continued to plug away and had a couple of decent efforts saved before the break, before they got one back through Nattapoom Naya three minutes from time. He added another four minutes into stoppage time, with one wondering what might have been if they had penetrated the often-unreliable Futera defence earlier.

It was excellent entertainment all told, albeit not a great advert for a professional league at times, as time seemed not to matter. A vital win for Futera, in a battle to secure safety, which would mark a decent return and something to build on, while their association with the PSW Academy continues to flourish.

A Grab taxi arrived to take us away, as one had delivered us at the splendid Bangkok University Stadium and campus earlier. More enjoyment followed after a ride on the BTS Skytrain with a proper catch-up and plenty more beers at a couple of bars at Lat Phrao.

Pretty much the perfect day out until Mark messaged me with the desperately sad news that the father of Futera player, Sarawin Sungkhao, had been killed in a road accident, while thought to be on the way to the match, being a supporter who rarely missed a game. This article is dedicated to the players, families, and all at Futera United.

Kamphaengphet

Kamphaengphet FC is a professional football club that was formed in 2009 to represent the Thai province of Kamphaeng Phet in the upper central region of the country. 

The club took up immediate residence at the Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) Stadium, otherwise known as Chakangrao Central Stadium in the centre of town, becoming members of the third-tier Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

In their first three seasons, the ‘Cha Kung Rao Warriors’ finished in the lower reaches of the division before ending in sixth place in 2012, before slipping back down the table over the following three campaigns.

A runners-up finish in 2016 earned the club a place in the Champions League playoffs, in which they saw off Ayutthaya Warrior before falling to Surat Thani. When the Thai football league structure was amended in 2017, Kamphaengphet were placed in Thai League 3 Upper Region.

Otsu Kazutaka top-scored as the side ended in eleventh place. This performance was repeated a year later with Badar Al-Alawi topping the goals charts. Kawin Nuanthat then became the fans' favourite forward for a couple of seasons.

The first ended in eighth place before the Thai League was again restructured with the calendar following that of Europe. 2020-21 in Thai League 3 North saw the side finish ninth under coach Saksan Siripong.

Sakdinan Makmuang was put in charge of the team the following season, which again ended in a lowly position, with Punyaphat Autha top scoring. A third consecutive ninth place ensued in 2022-23. The goals were supplied by Kaung Htet Soe and Khwanchai Bunprakhom as former coach Saksan returned.

Natthaphon Yueayai led the way up front in 2023-24 before Khwanchai found his old touch in 2024-25, as the team completed a remarkable fifth consecutive ninth-place finish. He continued his scoring run the following season, first under Saksan Siripong and then Sakdinan Makmuang as Kamphaengphet finished one place above relegation.

Kamphaengphet FC will play in Thai League 3 North in the 2026-27 season.

My visit

Monday 7th April 2025

Never being one to miss an opportunity, a visit to see friends in Kamphaeng Phet saw an early arrival in the town after a wonderful previous day and following morning in Sukhothai as part of our road trip from Chiang Mai to Sisaket.

 

The reason that Kamphaeng Phet was chosen was that an old journalist friend, Alan Parkhouse, who had been of great assistance when I covered cricket media duties at various tournaments in Thailand, was now living there. Even better, he and his good lady, Phung, had got married a few days earlier.

The historic park and area around the city shrine provided an immediate positive impression, as did the Chakangrao Central Stadium. It was positioned just over the road from the Ping River, offering a great location. 

Inside the arena, I was most impressed with how the original raised main stand had two large, covered extensions on either side of it, making it stand out from many other such provincial municipal venues that also have running tracks.

Opposite stood an open, raised terrace, while an unusually large detached block occupied one corner, as was also the case when I visited Phitsanulok. That end of the venue had a High School behind it, providing an enclosed feel.

Happy with my photography and making a clip towards my YouTube video of the adventure, I rejoined my ever-obliging wife, Taew, for the short drive, which entailed crossing the river and finding the majestic Mango House Resort & Café, our refuge for the night.

A quality lunch and then catch up with food with Alan and Phung ensued before we caught up with them at their place the following morning, which will see their steakhouse open in a pleasant area near the golf course. Hopefully, a return was being planned by the ladies, which would include me seeing a football game!

Uttaradit

Uttaradit FC, or TPF Uttaradit FC to give them their sponsored name, is a professional football club from the Thai city of the same name in the north of the country. The club was formed in 2009, playing their home games at Uttaradit Province Stadium.

The ‘Fighting Cocks’, as they were originally nicknamed, joined the Regional League Division 2 Northern Region with Atithep Yoosawad appointed as coach, finishing fourth in their debut campaign. 

That was repeated in 2011, after a season playing at Uttaradit Rajabhat University Stadium, before returning to their original venue. Twelve months later, playing under the name Uttaradit-Morseng, the team finished in seventh position. Finishing third bottom was considered a disappointment in 2013.

Three more midtable endings were then accumulated, with Noh Hyeong-cheol top scoring in 2016. The South Korean continued his scoring form in 2017, which saw Uttaradit compete in Thai League 4 North following league restructuring, finishing fourth in the table. 

Diarra Aboubacar Sidick, the Ivorian striker, would lead Uttaradit to the regional title in 2018. However, the side fared badly in the Champions League playoffs. They regrouped under head coach Vorrakorn Vijannarong in 2019 with the goals of Giuberty Silva Neves helping the team retain their title.

Again, the playoffs ended in disappointment for the ‘Broken Sword’. After another reorganisation of the lower tiers, Uttaradit were placed in Thai League 3 North in 2020-21, with the playing calendar being aligned with that in Europe. The team ended in fourth position.

 

Chatchai Narkwijit put away the chances in 2021-22 as Uttaradit Saksiam, as they were known under a sponsorship deal, finished seventh after Chumnan Pharkunthud had been appointed as head coach during the season.

Chaiwat Puengsiri took charge of the side at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, as the goals of Phufah Chuenkomrak helped the side to a runners-up finish. The playoffs ended in disappointment. The TPF backing of the club was put in place before the 2024-25 season, as Nitipong Saiyasit was named as head coach.

He was replaced by Sorrasak Ratson for the following campaign before Theerawekin Seehawong took over in January 2026. Within a few matches, however, Anucha Chaiwong was appointed as Uttaradit reached the playoffs.

Uttaradit FC will play in Thai League 3 North in the 2025-26 season. 

My visit

Tuesday 25th March 2025

The opportunity to visit the Province Stadium in Uttaradit came about as my wife Taew and I were staying at the far side of the town on our final stop of a four-day road adventure from Sisaket to Chiang Mai.

We’d already enjoyed the delights of an overnight stop in Loei, where I took in the Saturday night match against Surin City, before a wonderful two nights in Chiang Khan, which offered lots of fun and relaxation.

The road to our strategic destination for the evening was dramatic at times, with plenty of mountainous roads being travelled along. The scenery in parts was not unlike deepest Wales or the Highlands of Scotland. Good for me, but undoubtedly more testing for my good lady behind the wheel.

The stadium impressed me when we turned into the complex off the main road. The main stand was better than most, boosted by smart individual seats on its raised deck. The raised open area opposite was more in keeping with other similar venues. The trees that surrounded the arena gave it an enclosed feel.

Once I had completed my videoing and photography, we headed to check in at our resort before taking in some local attractions. Food was obtained at a quaint department store to take back as we enjoyed a relaxed evening before the final leg of our trip the following morning.

Muang Loei United

Muang Loei United FC is a professional club which represents the city of Loei, located in the Isan region of northeast Thailand. The club’s origins go back to 2012, when they were formed as Wang Saphung Municipality FC.

At that time, another club, Loei City, were in existence, playing at the Provincial Stadium in the centre of the city. Wang Saphung won the fourth-tier Thai Division 3 Tournament North Eastern Region in 2016, beating TWD Tanaytum 6-0 in the final.

When the national league structure was reorganised for the 2017 season, the club was placed in Thai League 4 Northeast with home games played at Wang Saphung Stadium. They ended the campaign in the playoff positions with Malagasy forward Carlos leading the scoring. Muangkan United ended any dreams of promotion.

Inspired by the goals of Chawin Thirawatsri, the Se-Lai Warriors claimed the regional title a year later, with their Champions League playoff campaign leading to a match to decide the third promoted club. North Bangkok University won the tie over two legs.

Wittaya Thanawatcharasanti put the goals away in 2019, which also saw Loei finish top of their regional division. This time, Pathumthani University were defeated in the third-place game to see United win promotion under head coach Chumnan Pharkunthud.

However, the Thai League once again restructured and turned to the European calendar for 2020-21. Loei were placed in Thai League 3 Northeast with the club moving to Loei Provincial Stadium. 

Diarra Junior Aboubacar put away the chances as the side ended as divisional runners-up, with the playoffs being best forgotten about. 2021-22 saw a third regional title being collected by United as Yossagorn Silaket arrived as the new head coach before he was replaced by Teeratada Chamrus.

The club moved to Ruamjai Stadium, Loei Rajabhat University, at the start of the season, with the team falling short once more in their playoff campaign after Amporn Chaipong had led the scoring. Ibrahim Konaré took over goalscoring responsibilities in 2022-23 with Pradya Sitti being appointed head coach. 

Santi Polcha arrived to take over team affairs before the end of the season, before he was succeeded by Pratan Senala for the start of the 2023-24 campaign. Sitti returned for a second spell as the season petered out disappointingly, with Loei ending it in sixth position.

Theeraphon Tungdee was brought in as coach at the start of 2024-25 before being replaced by Kistachai Wongsim. The club announced a move to the Loei PAO Stadium in the city centre for the 2025-26 season as Tana Chanabut came in as head coach, under whom the side reached the playoffs.

Muang Loei United FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Muang Loei United 1 Surin City 1 (Saturday 22nd March 2025) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: 120)

The chance to take in a game in Loei was possible thanks to a sensible suggestion to Taew, my wife. We were scheduled to drive to Chiang Khan in the same province the following day. It was an eight-hour trek, and although we were to stay there for two nights, I wanted to make the most of it.

She was happy to head to Loei a day earlier to have a look at that city and then arrive by the Mekong at lunchtime on Sunday. We were going on an exhausting trip to the annual Sixes cricket at Chiang Mai, and I wanted us to be able to relax and enjoy it rather than it being an ordeal.

My Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

We arrived in the early afternoon and checked into the excellent Sukjai Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel, chosen by my good lady. Her choice was impeccable, not least because it was in easy walking distance from the Rajabhat University Stadium where the match would be kicking off at 6pm.

After a pleasant siesta, I left Taew to relax as I went for a stroll, determined to find a shortcut after crossing the main road and headed along a small road that ran behind the campus. There were numerous little shops and open-fronted restaurants where I should have grabbed the opportunity to sit down for a beer. 

There was a pedestrian gate open to gain access through the wall into the university, saving me a long walk back around. It was still early, so I went for a look around and took some photos before paying my 80 baht admission fee, buying a soft drink and a pot noodle, and sitting inside the stand.

The venue had the usual type of main stand, some open scaffold seating opposite, with a steep banked terrace behind the goal to the left, with nearby buildings giving it an enclosed feel. I’d certainly been to far worse venues. Before kick-off, a gaggle of expats arrived and sat in front of me, carrying beers with them.

Hilariously, despite there not being any rainfall for several weeks, one end of the pitch was close to being waterlogged. The groundsman being distracted when forgetting that the sprinklers were turned on was the only explanation that I could fathom. It certainly added to the entertainment.

The diminutive Kitsana Chitchuea for Loei would impress me all evening, and he went close in the early stages when he had a decent effort saved by visiting custodian Jeerasak Phananut. 

An almighty scramble in the tenth minute almost saw Surin go ahead. It ended with Aphidet Sawaengsuk firing wide. The home side goalie, Panupan Juheang, wasn’t filling me with lots of confidence under the superb floodlights as the crowd gradually grew to what I thought was a higher number than the official declaration. 

Loei went ahead just halfway through the first period. An excellent pass sent Kitsana scurrying down the line before he delivered a beautiful cross to the back post, which was headed home with aplomb by Amporn Chaipong. It took fourteen minutes for Surin to restore parity. 

A lovely left-footed finish from Jattuphon Nueakaew did the job. At the interval, I had a chat with a couple of the expats outside the stand. They were friendly and knew their stuff, offering me some superb travel advice for the following day regarding attractions as well as a lowdown on Loei and the fortunes of their side.

Into the second half, Kitsana slid in and saw his effort come back off the crossbar, with the rebound being wastefully blasted over. Wanthayawut Nuchkasae then headed down only for Winiton Duangchai to blaze his effort over the bar as the hosts ramped up the pressure.

The crowd were treated to an appearance from the experienced Loei sub, Arthit Sunthornphit. The former Thailand international midfielder from his time at Chonburi was still capable of spraying the ball around without doing too much running.

The game petered out in the closing stages. Despite this, I enjoyed what I thought was quite a decent watch, as neither side had anything to play for and consequently took the shackles off. Surin, particularly, had been a turgid team to watch in the past, which came as a pleasant surprise. 

My Grab driver was bang on time, meaning I missed the final minute or so of stoppage time. We collected Taew from the hotel and headed to Walking Street, grabbing some food without being overly captivated.

Just over an hour later, we were back opposite the hotel, sitting outside a bar run by youngsters. They gave us a warm welcome, even if the price they charged me for a small bottle of whisky to take out was on the steep side. 

The advice offered by those at the match was spot on as we enjoyed the Skywalk at Chiang Khan and the other attractions in the pretty riverside town, leaving Loei province with a very favourable impression a few days later.