Kanthararom United

Kanthararom United FC 

Ground: Sisaket Rajhabat University Stadium

Capacity: 2,000

Club Founded: 2012

League: N/A (current level)

The province of Sisaket takes its football seriously. As well as having two clubs flying the flag at the top end of the Thai League, it also has some other amateur and semi-pro clubs of note. Among them are Kanthararom United.

About the Club 

Kanthararom United FC is an amateur football club representing the small market town of the same name on the road between Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani. 

In 2017 and 2018, the team entered the Thailand Amateur League without any success, as well as the Thai FA Cup in 2018, when known as NBN Kanthararom United, they lost 3-0 to JL Chiangmai United, with the tie being played at SAT Sisaket Stadium in front of 240 fans.

The side returned to the FA Cup in 2022-23, going out 2-1 away to Khon Kaen in the first round with Jeerawat Thonglue in charge of the team. Fellow amateur club, Mahanakon Khon Kaen, ended any hopes of progression in the competition in 2023-24 with a 3-1 victory in the Qualifying Round.

Kanthararom did not enter the following season, but returned in 2025-26, going out once again 4-1 to Khon Kaen in FA Cup qualifying, with the game being switched to Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium, as Jeerawat remained in charge of the team.

Despite playing in the national cup, Kanthararom do not play regular league football, with much of their activity centred around the small-sided NBN Arena pitch, on the main 226 Road, where local competition takes place.

My visit

Kanthararom United 1 Khon Kaen 4

Thai FA Cup Qualifying Round - Wednesday 24th September 2025

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 200 🎟️ Free

As the amateur team from my nearest town doesn’t have a suitable venue in Kanthararom, they switched the match to the Sisaket Rajabhat University Stadium, a few miles up the road.

They gave it a good go, too, against the pros from Thai League 3 Northeast. Quality and fitness were decisive factors in the end of an entertaining game played on a glue pot pitch in good spirits, which was sensibly refereed.

Khon Kaen went into a two-goal lead with efforts from the impressive Sakunchai Saenthopho in the second minute and then the excellent Charin Boodhad on the half-hour mark after he had earlier missed a penalty, as the rain teemed down before clearing near half-time. It looked like a large score was on the horizon.

However, the hosts gradually got back into the game and missed two easy chances, playing enterprising football at times despite being porous at the back. The second missed chance took some believing as a forward sliding in at the back post cleared the ball from a yard out.

The visiting coach brought on Brazilian forward Caio when Kanthararom looked like they might sneak a goal back. He was excellent, helping Charin to a second. The home team did score when a low cross was put away at the back post by Arnon Thongphanya, before the final kick of the match saw Caio put away a penalty. 

I’d met my mate John before the game for food and drink at Leo’s town, as we knew there should have only been half an hour before the second part of our extravaganza got underway. The weather certainly played a part in the Sisaket United v Padriew City game.

My Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

Warin Chamrap

Warin Chamrap FC

Ground: UBRU Stadium, Ubon Ratchathani

Capacity: 2,000

Club Founded: 1998

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

Ubon Rathathani, like many other Isan provinces in Thailand's northeast, is not short of football clubs to represent it. Among the leading amateur and semi-pro outfits is Warin Chamrap, who are well organised and supported.

Warin Chamrap is a semi-professional football club, representing the district of the same name, located just south of the city of Ubon Ratchathani. In recent years, the club have become organised, looked to push for promotion to the professional ranks, while also entering the FA Cup.

In the Thailand Amateur League in 2022, Warin Chamrap ended as runners-up to JFAM United in the Northeast Southern Zone Group E on goal difference to end any dreams of further progression in the competition.

The club participated in the FA Cup in the 2022-23 season, defeating Phachi City 1-0 in the first round at Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Stadium before going out 4-1 away to Ratchaburi under the watchful eye of head coach Jirayoo Suwandee.

In 2024-25, the team went out in the cup in the Round of 64, 2-1 away to Lampang, before competing in the Semipro League, playing their home games at Ubon Ratchathani University Stadium in their home district. In the semi-pro league, the side finished way short of the title but attracted decent attendances. 

FA Cup and Buriram United

The football gods were shining on Warin for the 2025-26 FA Cup. They received a bye in the qualification round before being drawn out of the hat to play away to Buriram United. While the game ended in a 12-0 defeat, the club were given the gate receipts in a wonderful gesture from Newin Chidchob. A crowd of 11,413 attended.

For the 2026 semi-pro league season, the club chose to play their home games at the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Sports School in the centre of the city, which was a former home of Ubon Kruanapat FC before the side coached by Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng moved to the UBRU Stadium.

My visit

at Ubon Ratchthani University Stadium

Warin Chamrap 0 Vongchavalitkul University 1 

Thai Semipro League Northeast - Saturday 10th May 2025

 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 480 🎟️ Free

My pal, John, and I had seen the visitors in action a fortnight earlier away to Ubon Kids City, when after a reasonable start, they ended up getting pumped 6-0. The following week, their home game ended in a 7-1 defeat to Mahasarakhan Siwilai. We pondered what they might produce this time.

Our day out began relatively early, before this 4 pm kick-off, with John collecting me at home before we headed to Ubon to play golf at the Suppasit Prasong Military Golf Course. Fun was had playing a proper course with caddies, and certainly an upgrade on the smaller facility we had been using in Sisaket. 

One thing about playing proper golf when not used to it was the fact that it was a lot more tiring than I remembered. We needed refreshing and energy stocks replenishing. We eventually sat down inside the air-conditioned Tree Cafe Rim Moon that I’d visited a couple of times previously.

It was a Thai holiday weekend, which was reflected by the busy establishment, where excellent local snacks and a bottle of Heineken Zero were enjoyed, with me on a month of abstinence from alcohol to try and shed a bit of timber. 

It was further than we thought to Ubon Ratchathani University, if a simple enough route. The pair of us were surprised by just what a spread-out city it is, with Warin being a continuation of it these days. Many eating and drinking establishments told a tale of a large population south of the River Mun.

The area near the entrance to the campus had quite a collection of businesses, while inside the grounds, we found things to be a little dated and neglected in parts. I’d contemplated going to a game there a couple of years earlier. I would most certainly have needed a driver to the stadium, as the area was huge. 

We arrived at the same time as a bus load of military cadets, while another bus for youngsters would come later. The club had put up signage at the front entrance and along the long route inside the campus to direct those wanting to find the stadium, which impressed me.

As did the setting up of a souvenir stall selling replica shirts at a knockdown price, with the season nearing its end. Everyone seemed very friendly. The obligatory man on the mic talked incessantly while playing modern Thai tunes, creating the semblance of an occasion. 

We sat in the quieter of the two blocks in the main stand, separated by the usual media and officials’ area. Three away supporters who had made the five-hour journey from Nakhon Ratchasima were behind us. My attention was drawn to something quite unusual as the teams warmed up.

I was certain that the goal to the left was taller than the one on the right. Maybe an optical illusion, or the pitch sloping, I wasn’t sure, but it simply didn’t look right. It wasn’t alcohol playing a part, of that much I was certain. 

In the early stages, it quickly became apparent that the pitch was in awful condition, with bumps all over it making control difficult. That wasn’t to say that some of the players on display couldn’t be to blame as well, as what materialised was a quite frankly shocking game of football, yet entertaining at the same time, if that makes sense.

Referee Rutratchapoom Moolpong played his part in this, as in the first half an hour, he hardly gave a foul. Players were lying down injured as he simply waved play on, leaving anyone in little doubt that he wasn’t going to be fooled by those play acting. Sometimes he let things go too far. 

By the time he signalled for the drinks break after thirty minutes, Warin looked alright going forward but hadn’t forced the VU goalkeeper, Phumin Prokkaew, into a save. Home forward Winai Jarukan seemed to know what he wanted to do in terms of chesting the ball down and retaining possession without knowing how.

The University side had gone ahead after nineteen minutes. Their left-sided defender Chayathat Thupmongkhon tried a speculative shot from thirty yards, which caught goalie, Pattarawut Saengsanoh, off his line and out of position and went into the top corner of the net.

VU came close to doubling the lead shortly after. A low cross flashed across the six-yard line, but there was no away team forward able to get on the end of it. They then decided that they would hang on to what they had, to the frustration of the home team players and supporters.

The ref completely changed tack after the restart before halftime as he blew his whistle so regularly, I was half expecting him to play the national anthem on it. Once the teams went down the tunnel, a free raffle was held to win team shirts, another nice touch. 

Play got worse, if anything, after the restart, as dark clouds began to build in the distance, with occasional flashes of lightning. VU were using all the dark arts they could think of to keep the hosts at bay, putting in a desperate display trying to please their coach Therdtoon Kahkai.

Home coach, Jirayoo Suwandee was apoplectic at the performance of the officials as his team still failed to have a meaningful shot on target despite having plenty of the ball and putting on pressure. One had to admire the doggedness of the Vongchavalitkul rearguard. 

Warin defender Chakrit Champasrl lost his rag and got booked for an X-rated foul on Adison Budken, who in turn had been fouling his way through the second half. He hobbled off in agony to be replaced by Chatchawan Chonphakdi, much to our delight in the stands.

The robust defender kicked whatever was near him in the direction he was facing, much in the same way as the last time we had watched him. A player of no discernible talent, but someone committed to the cause, he refused to waver, much like many Sunday League players back home. 

Warin mounted a couple of attacks and added pressure in the box, but the VU rearguard put their collective bodies on the line and stood firm until full-time, much to the delight of the trio sitting behind us. A terrible game of football, but enjoyable in its own way.

We stopped a couple of times on the way back towards home so that I could grab some groceries, since our car was at the repair shop. A good day out.

at UBRU Stadium

Warin Chamrap 0 Sisaket City 1

Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast - Saturday 16th May 2026 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 789 🎟️ Free

A cracking local derby in the fourth tier of Thai football, with both sides giving everything in a blood-and-thunder encounter that was excellently refereed. The occasion was handled superbly by Warin at the UBRU Stadium in Ubon Ratchathani city centre.

A win was vital if either team wanted to continue their hopes of lifting the title to gain promotion to Thai League 3, while a runners-up berth may suffice. The game was decided by another brilliant goal from Sisaket’s star player, Wanattanan Jhantasorn, with a shot from outside the box.

There was little to choose between the sides, with City perhaps looking slightly more threatening on the break. Their defence was resilient, keeping Warin to a few half-chances, with goalie Peerapath A-Sarast putting in some wonderful acrobatic dives for the cameras.

Free admission and a passionate crowd, including the smart use of a megaphone on the far side, alerting that an ambulance was required for someone taken ill. All licensed football in Thailand must have an ambulance on site. Light years ahead of certain other countries.

A fine day all round, with my wife dropping me in Kanthararom to meet with my pal John. 9 holes of golf at a military course in Ubon provided better value than the performance we put in. A beer and food at Pepper’s American Diner, then a stop at Wrong Way Café for more libation, which was topped up at the stadium. Home for the bore that was the FA Cup Final.

Ubon Kids City

Ubon Kids City

Ground: Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University Stadium, Ban Yang Noi

Capacity: 2,000

Club Founded: c2016

League: N/A (current level)

Football academies have become a feature in Thai life in recent years, with some also adding an adult team to enter cup competitions and tournaments. One such example is Ubon Kids City.

A Club Background 

Ubon Kids City is a football academy based in the northeast Thai city of Ubon Ratchathani. It provides youngsters of all ages with the opportunity to benefit from the available coaching and the opportunity to step up to the professional game. 

The club fields a senior side to compete in some adult competitions. In 2019, the side entered the Thai FA Cup for the first time, going out in the qualifying round away to Nakhonsi United under head coach Chinnaphan Thanaphomsiriphong.

Their 2020-21 campaign ended at the same stage on penalties to Kranuan FC after the game ended 2-2 at UMT Stadium in their home city. City also entered the Thailand Amateur League and ended top of the pile in the Northeast Southern Zone Group B.

Loengnoktah United were dispatched at the PB Magic Arena in Roi Et in the first knockout stage, before PB Roi Et United hammered them 6-0 at The Rajabhat Stadium in Ubon Ratchathani in the next round. 

The 2022-23 campaign saw the academy being awarded a place in the newly formed Thai Semipro League, from where the winners of each of the six regional divisions were promoted to Thai League 3.

Home games were played at Ubon Ratchthani University Stadium in Warim Chamrap to the south of the city, with the Kids finishing in seventh position. They didn’t compete in the competition the following season.

 

After a break in the FA Cup, the Kids City outfit returned to the competition in 2024-25 when, in the Round of 64, they went out 2-0 away to Surin City. Semipro football also made a comeback, with the team playing their home matches at Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat Stadium in Ban Yang Noi.

My visit

Ubon Kids City 6 Vongchavalitkul University 0

Thai Semipro League Northeast - Saturday 26th April 2025

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧175 🎟️ Free

A Proper Pre-Match Drink

A fantastic Friday evening was the precursor to this enjoyable trip to a new venue. The night saw Gary, Steve, and Fah head across from Buriram to meet up with Taew and me, who were staying at the Vijit Nakorn Hotel in Sisaket town.

We certainly got stuck into the beer promotion at Leo’s before Craft and Cold, and then Godang 24 Bar ensured we went to bed in a tired and emotional condition. 

Matchday

The fellas assembled at Hong Kong Garden, where John met us for lunch and a livener before we headed off. Gary dropped his vehicle at Kanthararom station as the three of us went with John for a journey of about forty minutes through the countryside. We were greeted by an excellent venue, with very few spectators.

Steve and I went exploring, with the campus being devoid of students during their summer break. The outdoor pool with large stands mirrored those of the indoor arena. Yet another educational establishment with outstanding facilities.

Water was being drunk by our dry group, while a senior of the kids’ academy dragged several unwilling volunteers to go onto the pitch as mascots with the players, with both sides wearing vibrant outfits, while the youngsters adorned black and yellow hooped tops, creating quite a sight.

The Match

Both sides went for it from the off, with the visitors, at least in the early stages, looking like a decent outfit. However, their bigger builds would catch up with them in the scorching temperatures as the game progressed. 

Suphakon Phumkhong put the hosts ahead when his flick header from a driven free kick beat goalie Meechok Charoenkan between the posts for the side from Nakhon Ratchasima, just the five hours or so from home.

Four minutes before the break, Baphit Chooklin beat the offside trap wide on the right when put through as he advanced to score, before he made it 3-0 on the stroke of halftime. A kick out of the hands of goalkeeper Thanachot Sakouan evaded the VU defence for Baphit to nip in before Meechok to slot home into the empty net. 

The young academy players in the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves, as did the man commentating for Facebook and making announcements, just along from us. We had an excellent view looking over what looked like a pristine playing surface.

The Ubon midfield was excellent, with Teerawat Lionyum, wearing the skipper's armband, the best on show. Soon after the restart, VU defender Itthichat Chantho was involved in a collision which required him to be stretchered off and taken away by ambulance.

The agony of his remaining teammates was added to as sub, Prakiattichai Sinnsook extended the lead with a fine individual goal. The fifth was added when a long ball was headed down expertly by Prakiattichai for Saharat Khiawsaard to finish in the top corner. 

The hammering was completed in additional time by Rapatphon Sodchuen who lashed home into the roof of the net from a corner, which resulted from a heroic effort from VU substitute defender, Chatchawan Chonphakdi, who looked as though he enjoyed his food. 

Post Match Party

At full time, we were soon away and heading back to collect Gary’s wheels, as the four of us continued to our house, where Taew had made a selection of food and put an ample supply of beers in the fridge.

We sat outside drinking, eating, and having fun while watching football on TV. It was a wonderful day, in excellent company, reminding me why I love living where I do.

Muang Loei United

Muang Loei United FC

Ground: Loei Provincial Stadium 

Capacity: 2,000
Club Founded: 2012 
League: Thai League 3 Northeast (current level)

The positive step when Wang Saphung FC changed its name to Muang Loei United FC heralded a run of divisional titles which ended short of promotion in the playoffs, for a club with potential located in a beautiful part of Thailand.

Early History

Wang Saphung Municipality FC, formed in 2012, competed for attention and support with another club, called Loei City. The team played at the Provincial Stadium in the centre of the city, winning 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 the following year, 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.

League Titles

The change of name when it came in 2018 made sense if the club wanted to attract sponsors and reflect the city that it represented. It brought with it further success. Chawin Thirawatsri's goals helped the Se-Lai Warriors claim the regional title a year later. North Bangkok University ended promotion hopes in the playoff final.

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.

Playoff Disappointment

The Thai League once again restructured and turned to the European fixture calendar for 2020-21. Loei were placed in Thai League 3 Northeast with the club moving to play its home games at 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. The following season saw a third regional title being collected by United as Yossagorn Silaket arrived as the new head coach before being later replaced by Teeratada Chamrus. Again, the playoffs proved a step too far.

Stadium Changes

The club had played a season at Blue Dragon Muang Loei Stadium before moving to Ruamjai Stadium, Loei Rajabhat University, at the start of the season. Ibrahim Konaré took over goalscoring responsibilities in 2022-23 after Pradya Sitti had been appointed as head coach. 

Santi Polcha had a brief spell in charge of the team before being succeeded by Pratan Senala for the start of the following campaign. Previous coach Sitti returned for a second spell as the season petered out disappointingly.

Recent Times

Theeraphon Tungdee was brought in as coach at the start of 2024-25 before being replaced by Kistachai Wongsim. The club announced a return to the Loei Provincial 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.

My visit

Muang Loei United 1 Surin City 1

Thai League 3 Northeast - Saturday 22nd March 2025 (att: 120)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 120 🎟️ 80 THB (£1.80)

Road Trip

Forever looking for an opportunity to get to a match, especially if it is at a stadium I've yet to visit, I came up with an excellent plan which my wife Taew was in total agreement with. We were scheduled to head to Chiang Khan on the Mekong in Loei province, the day after the game took place. 

It would entail an eight-hour trek, and although we were to stay there for two nights, I wanted to make the most of it, rather than arriving exhausted and limiting what we could see and do. My good lady was happy to head to Loei a day earlier to have a look at that city and then arrive by the river at lunchtime on Sunday. 

You may enjoy the video of our epic road trip on my YouTube Channel with features the match. It also includes our time in beautiful Chiang Khan as well as Uttaradit and its football stadium. There are lots more videos on the channel about Thailand, its cities, culture, festivals and sports. Please feel free to take a look.

Following Loei, we were heading to the annual Sixes Cricket at Chiang Mai, and I wanted us to be able to relax and enjoy it, arriving relatively fresh, rather than it being an ordeal. We set off early and saw places for the first time. After passing Khon Kaen, the 201 road through Phu Pha Man National Park had us bookmark it for a stopover in the future.

Pre Match

We arrived in Loei city in the early afternoon, checking into the excellent Sukjai Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel, chosen by Taew. 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 a few hours later 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. 

A Look Around

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.

My Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

The Match

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. 

Expat Advice

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. 

Saturday Night in Loei

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.

FC Yala

FC Yala

Ground: Yala Rajabhat University Stadium
Capacity: 1,500
Club Founded: 2018
League: Thai League 3 South (current level)

The southern region of Thai football is extremely competitive, as the rise of Pattani has shown. Clubs attract large attendances, with FC Yala doing their utmost to keep up with the pace.

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 Yara United

FC Yala, from the city of the same name, sensed their opportunity after being formed 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 had 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.

A Change in the Yala Football Landscape 

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.

My visits

Jaru Stadium

Stadium Visit - 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

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