Thephasadin Stadium (Bangkok)

 

Thephasadin Stadium in central Bangkok is part of the National Stadium complex, which also includes gymnasiums, an indoor pool and next door, Suphachalasai Stadium.

The stadium was built in 1965 and was originally called Hockey Field, as it staged hockey matches for the 1966 Asian Games. In 1983, it was renamed to its current title in honour of Sanan Thephasadin na Ayutthaya, the Father of Thai Football, and Nak Thephasadin na Ayutthaya.

Over several years, the venue has hosted home games for BEC Tero Sasana and BCC Tero, as Bangkok Christian College was known during their tenure at the venue. In September 2024, work started on demolishing the open stand, which looked as though it would be turned into a retail development.

At the same time, Chulalongtorn Stadium was being refurbished, leading to Chamchuri United moving into Thephasadin for the first half of the 2024-25 season.

My visits

April 2008

I was on holiday in Thailand and had been attending the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. Back in Bangkok, I found myself with a day or two to spare while staying in Minburi with Steve Walker. He was busy at work, and despite the relatively sketchy information available at the time,

I decided to go and have a look at Rajamangala Stadium and the old National (Suphachalasai) Stadium, which was at the city end of one of the Skytrain routes.

Little did I know before I arrived, but I came across the Thephasadin Stadium, which was built on one side of the main arena. There was a kids’ sports day taking place inside, but no one seemed worried that I was taking photographs.

The stadium had one covered stand and an open seated stand opposite. Both ends were undeveloped. It was a fairly basic stadium, but one with an excellent location and transport links.

I went on to have a look inside the National Stadium and then managed to buy some Thai League team shirts nearby, which was a real bonus before heading back to meet up with Steve and some of his colleagues for a couple of nights in Pattaya.

Monday 28th October 2013

With the day to myself following a brilliant couple of weeks in Thailand and the Cricket Sixes complete, with my travelling companions heading home, I decided to fill in the day before my evening flight home.

After a fine lunch and catching up with the papers in the convivial surroundings of the Biergarten, I took the Skytrain to the National Stadium. I wanted a proper look around the complex with time on my hands.

The pitch at the stadium was being replaced, and signage was still up from when Thailand staged the 2012 Futsal World Cup. There was also an empty shop from the time BEC Tero Sasana were tenants at the ground.

I took my new set of snaps and headed for the major stadium next door.

Eventually, after research on my return, I found out that Thephasadin Stadium had been used as the home of Bangkok Christian College once again.