League: Thai Semi-Pro League Central (current level)
About the Club
Old Blood FC
is an amateur football club, based in the Sam Wa district of northeast Bangkok,
that was formed in 2020 as an academy. The club introduced an open-age side
that entered the Thonburi League in 2026, being placed in Group D.
They also
entered the Semipro League for 2026, with hopes of being promoted to the Thai
League 3, with home games being played at Ratchakram Stadium, where PTU Pathumthani plied their trade.
Despite
nursing a horrific hangover, I wasn’t going to refuse an opportunity to get out
and about when back at Hat Hai Rat. My luck was in. Just one match was being
played in the league all weekend, and it was at a ground I’d not previously
visited. Even better, it was just a ten-minute cab ride away.
I’d arrived
by taxi with soft drinks and snacks at Old Blood Stadium and academy, focused
on serving its local community in northwest Bangkok. They seemed to have got it right on this
showing, with their senior team going top of their group in the amateur
competition, playing good football against a decent away side.
The away keeper made a good stop from Old Blood’s number 20 in the opening exchanges before
Phonput put his side ahead, tricking the goalie at his near post after ten
minutes. The lead was doubled in the twenty-fifth minute when Prachya scored a
superb goal, bending his effort into the top corner from distance.
Anubis had
older players on show. Their 21 was tall, skilful and rangy. The keeper was a
bit too smart for his own good with his feet, leading to some frantic defending
on a hot afternoon, with an occasional pleasant breeze, as planes descended
into Suvarnabhumi in the distance.
After an
hour, Anubis pulled a goal back, before the hosts extended their lead again
when Jack’s saved shot was followed up by Phonput. The away side continued to
press but found themselves exposed at the back. Harry’s sublime skills set
up Peath, who was denied by some brave goalkeeping.
The
excitable Harry, who picked up a yellow card for a daft challenge, continued to
torment his opponents, while what seemed like an endless supply of volunteers
ran around carrying out tasks, at the properly organised club, which went top
of their group with the win.
It was a
wonderful experience as a visitor. Small covered seating areas to watch from, a
warm welcome, a pitch-side open-fronted restaurant and bar, a TV showing the
previous night’s FA Cup, plus it has changing rooms at a venue close to the
people it serves. I would most certainly return.
At full time,
I went for a short walk back along Thanon Thai Raman from the ground back to
Hat Hai Rat before catching a taxi back towards home. I alighted at the 7/11 at the end of our village to buy khao moo daeng for tea from an excellent outdoor stall. Unbelievably, two Old Blood players were already sitting down and getting stuck into their meal!
My brief report from the match and my reflection on the experience that fans will encounter can be heard on the episode of A Thai Football Podcast.
Bangkok AFC is an amateur league team that originated from the Bangkok Football Academy (BFA), which is currently a member of the Thonburi League. In the 2026 season, they used the MRTA Football Field on Rama IX.
The side reached the quarter finals of the Thonburi Champions League in 2024, where their hopes of honours ended against Thonburi University, before being defeated by Kratoomrai Academy in 2025 after a fine campaign in Zone C.
My visit
Bangkok AFC 3 Minburi City 1
Thonburi League Group C - Sunday 22nd March 2026
👨👨👧👧 c25 🎟️ Free
About the Thonburi League
My latest delve into the Thonburi League during a visit to Bangkok saw me enjoy a very pleasant couple of hours watching an amateur game near the city centre, where Minburi City, a team I used to go and see, were in action. A good game too in the searing heat with goalmouth action and plenty of skill.
The Thonburi League is a competition, nominally at level 5 in Thailand, along with a couple of other self-run regional leagues. Some teams use the competition to prepare for the regional Semi-pro League, from which the winners are promoted into the regional Thai League 3. Thai Leagues 1 and 2 are national.
It is a well-run competition, with plenty of teams on each of its five equal sections, divided according to location. Admission is free at games, and all the venues are of reasonable quality, with every game having a full team of officials.
Rolling subs are permitted until the final ten minutes of the game, which protects against the heat and ensures everyone gets a decent game. Something for the English FA to ponder so that players don't continually move from club to club in the quest for a regular run. It certainly gave me plenty to report on for my updates to A Thai Football Podcast.
Travel to the Match
On this occasion, I decided to catch a songthaew once I was in Minburi. That took me to Kasem Bundit University on Rom Klao Road, from where I caught the 1-50 bus. It was air-conditioned, so despite it being a long trip, I could enjoy it in comfort.
It only cost 25 THB and dropped me near Rama IX. With time to kill, I had a look around the Fortune Town mall as well as Central across the road. My heart sank when I came across an official Liverpool FC shop. No wonder Thai clubs in Bangkok struggle to attract big crowds.
The Match
This match started with Minburi looking far better than I remembered previously, with an African coach at the helm. However, fielding three 15-year-olds from their academy owing to absence would prove to be their undoing.
The first of which, a goalie was completely out of his depth, something the BAFC players quickly sussed after what looked like a harmless shot from outside the box from the number 9 found the net.
Chaos ensued when the second goal crossed the line despite the best attempts of a defender and the woodwork to keep it out after another goalkeeping fumble. I had a good view of proceedings from one of the raised open bleachers, after being invited to sit there by Bee, the Minburi City club manager.
Me and Minburi City
When the club was formed, I’d bought a team shirt. When I attended a game in the old Amateur League, the club presented me with a cap and all kinds of souvenirs. Therefore, on this occasion, it was lovely to be remembered and welcomed by Bee, who was surprised by my appearance.
He was filming the game, which featured a team predominantly made up of Africans, and asked me why I wasn’t wearing my shirt. I explained I was now living in Sisaket but was staying at our Minburi condo, when the fixture caught my attention and fitted perfectly into my plans.
Back on the pitch, the amiable, larger-than-life coach, who looked to me for support and some kind of suggestion in exasperation at his team’s failings, had replaced the goalie. The new one was more experienced, but not great. I empathised greatly with my new friend!
After the drinks break, it was 3-0 when a Bangkok player went clean through. They should have added to their tally, but too many players started showing off their range of tricks rather than getting the job done, as can often occur if a team senses they have an easy win on their hands.
Nearly a Comeback
After the break, a mixture of luck, desperate defending, unorthodox goalkeeping, and some clever forward play saw Minburi perform much better. They got a goal back and then saw the BAFC make a couple of good saves, while another shot thundered back off the bar.
A player arrived with fifteen minutes to go, got changed and went on. If he had been there earlier, it could have made a big difference. Overall, I really enjoyed myself in excellent company, as well as ticking off a new ground for me in the MRTA Fitness Park, which carried the fitting title of the ‘Stadium of Spirit’.
On to my Second Match of the Day
It was nicely set out with a huge lake behind one goal and the backdrop of the city at the other end. Post-match, I headed off to my second game of the day, which turned out to be an amazing occasion as Police Tero took on Sisaket United, while I was among the incredible away support.
My YouTube video captures my experience from the game
Ground: SK46 Football Field Capacity: 100 Opened: c2024 Clubs: Prataungtip FC Academy, Chiang Rai United FC (Bangkok), plus Available to Hire
A Fine New Venue
Many football venues and academies have developed in Bangkok since the end of the pandemic. SK46 Football Field is an example, with, as the name suggests, it being a football venue in the Sai Mai district of North Bangkok, located at the bottom of Soi 46 off Sai Mai Road.
Any club can hire the ground, as was the case when I visited for the first time. It sometimes hosts games in the Thonburi League as well as countless friendlies.
Facilities
Two-storey buildings on two sides contain academy classrooms, VIP rooms, changing rooms, a fitness centre and even a cold tub, giving it an enclosed feel. It is home to an academy, in collaboration with Pratuangthip Wittaya School, as well as being the base of Chiang Rai United in the capital.
It has floodlights atop concrete telegraph poles, with high netting hanging from them all the way around the pitch, a common feature at Thai amateur venues. While it can be like watching a game through a chip pan, lots of time is saved, and balls don’t go missing. There is also a 7-a-side real grass field in situ.
Other facilities include an air-conditioned clubhouse for supporters to wait, work, and eat comfortably, along with Wi-Fi and private and shared restrooms, making it one of the better grounds for teams wanting to hire somewhere.
My visit
Poma FC 1 Pathumthani FC 7
Friendly - Wednesday 18th March 2026
👨👨👧👧 c15 🎟️ Free
Un Unexpected Game
This game provided an unexpected opportunity to see a game at a venue in Sai Mai, not too far from our Minburi condo, which I’ve never previously visited after it appeared on the Twitter account of @FutbologyThai, who’s well worth a follow, especially if you are thinking of attending games in the Land of Smiles.
It was a good standard too, especially with no admission charge, with Poma currently leading their section in the Thonburi League, playing some good stuff, taking the lead before Pathumthani, gearing up for their Semi-Pro League campaign in the hope of joining the professional ranks, tore them apart.
The Match
The opening goal came via a fine shot from the Poma 22 from outside the box before Pathumthani levelled things up and then failed to take a backward step. They wore maroon and black without numbers on their shirts, while Poma were in a fetching orange, blue and white stripe kit.
It was a hot late afternoon, which saw a linesman facing the sun donning a baseball cap, with a cooling break being taken midway through the first half. I took advantage of sitting in the shade behind the goal with a fan blowing cool air. The splendid SK 46 Stadium ticked all the boxes for football at this level.
It was 2-1 at the break and 3-1 pretty soon after, this after a 30-yard free kick cannoned back off a post. I’ll be interested to see how Pathumthani go in their quest to play Thai League 3 football. Poma are no mugs, but they were put to the sword by a talented outfit. The third goal was a back-post volley after the skipper delivered a delicious Liam Brady-esque chip to the unmarked man.
4-1 came about after a corner was not cleared, with a low shot that was out of reach of the goalie. Multiple subs followed. Poma seemed to give everyone a run, including a pint-sized goalie, whereas the victors had a much stronger squad who made hay while the sun continued to shine in the last twenty minutes.
Shots pinged off the metal frame of the goal at regular intervals, with the replacement skipper for Pathumthani skilfully beating the defence to set up a colleague in the middle who smashed the ball home. The sixth was a shot too high for the keeper to reach, with the seventh a low shot that squirmed under him after he and the defence tried to emulate PSG, but as slowly as an HGV. They were inevitably caught out.
A Grand Day Out
A grand, long day out after setting off from our overnight stop near Buriram at 6am. Some shopping for cheddar and a bottle of red ensured that Mrs Rob and I could enjoy a relaxing Thursday night. Unless, of course, a match appeared on Twitter.
APD United are a fine example of several amateur clubs around Bangkok connected to football academies, offering youngsters education as well as extending their skills.
Club Background
APD United
is an amateur or non-league football club based in the eastern Bangkok suburb
of Minburi that was formed in 2016. Since then, the club has mainly competed in
local competitions and established a partnership with Triamundomsuksa
Suwinthawong School.
By the
2020-21 season, the clubs' first team was members of Division 1 of the Bangkok
Premier League, playing games at Nong Chok Stadium, which was the former home
of BEC Tero Sasana in the Thai Premier League.
Chasing Promotion
In 2022, APD
competed in the Thailand Amateur League, failing to progress from their initial
group. In 2023-24, the side went out at the first stage of the Thai FA Cup on
penalties after a 1-1 draw with Romklao United, with the game being played at Thupatemi
Stadium.
It was
around this time that the club moved into the former CK Stadium east of Minburi
and renamed it APD Football Arena, with its main pitch and a smaller one behind
being ideal for developing players.
Recent Times
United, like many clubs, transferred to the Thonburi League for the 2025 season, where
they were placed in Zone D.
My visit
APD United 2
BSL United 2
Thonburi League Zone D - Sunday 26th January 2025
👨👨👧👧c25🎟️Free
Pre-Match Planning
Still at our
Minburi condo following an extensive tour of Thailand, I wanted some football further
down the food chain after attending Port v Ratchaburi on Friday night to start the
weekend in fine style.
Ideally, I would find a non-league game and do some filming at it, covering the whole experience. In a perfect world, it would be at a venue I hadn’t previously visited. When APD replied to my message and sent me the location of their ground, my mind was set.
I had done some filming towards the latest video for my YouTube Channel at the Port game, while the Sunday match offered me a chance to go to a place and competition that few others cover.
I was
slightly disappointed that they weren't still
playing at the old Nong Chok stadium with its big stand, as I still needed to
tick off my ground list. It had previously been used by BEC Tero Sasana, and I had visited it after an AUU Dream Team home game on the pitches next to it.
Getting to ADP United
Setting off
from home, I took a songthaew to Minburi Market, bought a selfie stick to help
with my filming, found a nice location by the San Seap Canal, had a coffee and
then caught the 526 bus towards the ground for the afternoon’s entertainment.
A lady
already onboard told me I was on the right service, confused as I was when we
went into the market and out again. She spoke good English and told me all about
her job working at a hotel in the city, and how she wanted to retire.
We arrived
at the stop I required, opposite Ploychompoo Village on Thanon Rat Uthit, on
the road to Nong Chok, which required me to cross the footbridge over heavy traffic. I can only put it down to the hot sun and not being able to see my
Google Maps screen clearly, which is why I wandered down the wrong lane.
A Kind Local
It would
have been around ten to fifteen minutes down the correct road, but this error could
mean that making kick-off time at 3pm would be tight. However, a local man driving
to go fishing saw my predicament, stopped and told me to get into the back of
his car.
He assumed I
was looking for the indoor Bangkok Arena at Nong Chok, so he was somewhat
surprised when I asked him to stop so I could walk back along Soi 56 to the
ground, which was visible a couple of hundred metres up.
Club Location
Flooded Road Mishap
It was
complete negligence on my part to make such an error, as I had walked down Soi
56 previously with my mate Steve in the hope of seeing a game in the Bangkok
Premier League at the then CK Stadium.
We were within the sound of the players who were warming up and the referee's whistle, but the road was badly flooded. My pal said under no circumstances was he taking his shoes and socks off to wade through, in fear of snakes from the open fields on either side. Some folks have no commitment whatsoever.
Fortunately, that day, Vaughan was also joining us in his car and could drive us elsewhere for our Sunday fix. Back to the present, on a scorching hot afternoon, I was immediately taken by the APD Arena.
Local Demographics
Sure, the
pitch seemed extremely narrow, but there was a viewing balcony behind the far
goal above the changing rooms, which would be ideal for watching the action
from. Team dugouts and a camera gantry were squeezed along the side of the
pitch by the road.
Nong Chok’s
population is 90% Moslem, so it was no surprise that while the venue had a shop
selling snacks and a small kitchen that was knocking out traditional Thai
food, it did not sell beer. It ended up being a water and bags of crisps day.
The youngsters of the club, still too young for adult
action, had turned up to cheer on ADP. The coach of the visiting side arrived
late in a fluster and told his players not to enter the pitch on time, with
there being just ten minutes before the appointed start.
He had “coach” emblazoned on his back just so everyone
knew how important he was. As it transpired, the game started just a few
minutes late. The BSL team had prepared better than their mentor and were in
the ascendancy from the start.
The Match
The visitors went ahead after around seventeen minutes when
what seemed like a run-of-the-mill free kick was put towards the six-yard box,
where young goalie Nattawup came out, misjudged its flight and allowed it to go
over his head into an empty net.
It’s as well that the pilots up above had better flight
judgment, as a plane every minute or so began to descend above us on its way to
landing at Suvarnabhumi. APD defender Suradet dropped a massive clanger, trying
to get past visiting forward 24, who dispossessed him before advancing to score.
The young lads who had been enthusiastic and had
earlier banged their drum had the wind taken out of their sails before their
side regrouped. As the interval approached, they grabbed a goal back in what
was becoming an increasingly feisty encounter.
It seemed a bit crazy for players to warm up at the
interval in 35-degree temperatures, but that’s what some did, while a couple cooled
down by entering the lake behind the far goal to retrieve the footballs put there
with stray shots.
APD came back out with real intent, making a couple of
notable changes in the form of two African forwards. 27 was big and menacing,
suddenly causing the BSL rearguard some real issues. They were tested as much
as the referee, who I thought handled proceedings pretty well.
Small pitches and big blokes, naturally, lead to more
incidents in my experience. It was tense anyway in the heat, when Suradet and the
visiting number 9 were involved in an altercation off the ball, which I didn’t
see.
The coach was incandescent. He really was having a
grumpy day, screaming at the ref to issue a red card and not the yellow, which
he probably got right. Neither player looked for revenge, which is often the
case if an injustice is served, so it seemed about right to me.
The other APD sub, A Wisdom, was tripped in the box. I
thought it was a penalty, but the official waved away the claims, most likely
sick of some players, particularly the many non-Tais on show, trying to referee
the game themselves. A clear dive from the inappropriately named Wisdom, at
least on this showing, was also ignored.
The home side had built up a head of steam and equalised
when a free kick wide on the edge of the box was headed in by 19, despite an
attempted clearance off the line. The home fans were jubilant, swinging on netting
high above the goal.
The game could have gone either way after that, as
attempts went in on both goals. Perhaps the best chance was missed by 69 of BSL, who was played in but blazed his shot across the goal. In the end, 2-2 was about
the right result.
Returning Home
An ice cream man arrived with perfect timing, offering
cool refreshments to eat while walking along the lane, whose memories came
flooding back to me, though not literally on this occasion, as I headed back to
the main road.
My good lady wanted food to be bought on the way home,
so I tried without luck to order a Grab taxi. A ridiculously packed songthaew
took me to Minburi, where I jumped out on Ramkhamhaeng Road, spotting Chomran
Boat Noodles Restaurant opposite.
A cold beer was in order while I finished filming the
last bits for my video production before a Grab was finally secured, driven by
a nice young chap from Surin. He dropped me off at Five Star Chicken near home,
which was apt as he was applying for a job with the company.
A fine day indeed, including passing a snooker cue
factory in Minburi which supplies some of the world's stars, including Ronnie O’Sullivan,
a good game at a decent venue, and then top food with some EPL action on TV.
Bangkok is not short of football venues of a decent quality that are available to hire. Vichupa Fields is one example, with its multiple pitches providing floodlights and their own changing rooms.
A Hub of Amateur Football
Vichupa Football Field, which hosts amateur football in Bangkok, is primarily located on Soi Ram Intra 46/1. It has five full-sized pitches, with another smaller pitch for training and age group football. Teams rent the venue to play for a full season in their respective competitions.
It is also booked for singular requirements for those looking for a neutral venue for other local football, such as the Bangkok Premier League or the Thonburi League. Or sometimes for one-off recreational football or staging the matches of professional youth sides.
Each pitch has high netting surrounding it to prevent footballs from disappearing into the wild or adjoining houses. They have changing facilities and its own set of floodlights. In all, an excellent set of facilities.
My visits
V 5
Minburi City 3 Pivo V Revolution 0
Friendly - Wednesday 19th January
👨👨👧👧 c25 🎟️ Free
The opportunity of midweek football was something I grabbed, especially if relatively local. My experiences can be read about here. The game took place on Pitch 5, on Soi Amon Wiwat. V 5
SG FC 0 FC Bangsaotong 0
Bangkok Premier League Division 2 - Sunday 6th March 2022
👨👨👧👧 c15 🎟️ Free
I returned to the same venue through an unexpected opportunity that raised its head and can be read about here.
V 3
Siam FC 3 Kasem Bundit University 0
Thonburi League Champions League semi-final - Sunday 12th February 2023
👨👨👧👧 c15 🎟️ Free
My football adventures were less intense in 2023, usually meaning that I headed to one game a week and looked forward to it. This was rather than packing in some games when, on reflection, it had sometimes been a box-ticking exercise.
However, I still loved visiting new venues whenever possible. Muang Thong United v Buriram United was undoubtedly the best game in Bangkok all weekend, but a 7pm Sunday kick-off and then the scramble to try and find a taxi deterred me from heading that way.
It was time for me to revisit some local stuff, with a choice of two matches. Linping, formerly AC Tuttocuoio, against Nonthaburi City at Airport Stadium, was one, but the other, with jeopardy involved in the result at a venue I’d yet to see a game at, won the day, but only just.
I was tired. Life was fantastic and every day brought joy, but along with it lots of mind and sometimes legwork. The temperatures were rising, making walking a more exhausting hobby. And I’d had a fantastic Saturday with my beautiful lady, as we looked after two friends from Hull with a trip to Chachoengsao.
Another attraction of my selected match was that it ignited the excitement of a bus route I’d yet to try, and see what I would experience along the way. All was good, apart from the fact that the bus didn’t want to appear. It meant that I was close at one stage to reverting to the other game option.
I headed to 7/11 to break a large note, as I realised that I could still go to my first choice, but by taxi. As I came out of the shop, I was greeted with the sight of the lovely air-conditioned bus coming in my direction. There was just enough time to cross the road and frantically wave my arms.
Despite being fifty metres short of the stop, the driver saw my predicament, flashed his lights, and came right up to me. What a good man. The journey was indeed interesting, as we went past a previously undiscovered craft beer bar before I alighted from my 20 Baht ride. I noted the bar for future reference.
It was a further fifteen minutes' walk to the venue, where panic set in on arrival. No teams were warming up on the show pitch. In the distance, I could see a chap saving shots, and sure enough, the game was being played on V3 pitch, which could well have been the usual home ground of Siam FC.
It was not ideal, with no specific spectator facilities available. Both covered canopies with seating were being taken up by either team and their close allies. Neutrals weren’t really considered, not that many ever attended to watch. I sat in the shadows at the foot of a floodlight pylon, which worked out perfectly.
It was a sweltering afternoon, the sort you would take shelter from in the shade if watching cricket. Yet, the academy sides of the two professional teams would do battle in temperatures well into the thirties for a place in their league final, on a short pitch.
The playing surface was immaculate, leading to a fast-flowing game between two sides that I’d enjoyed watching over the previous few months. It was the team of the university that was on top in the early exchanges, as their number 23 was clean through but dragged wide from a great position.
At the other end, Siam's number 19 showed great footwork to round the Bundit keeper, but put it wide with the goal gaping. At this point, a man appeared who I adjudged to be the player of the match.
The sound of the bell being rung by a fella on a motorcycle, with a small frame attached to it, was music to my ears. I thought that 40 Baht for a tub of ice cream was a little on the expensive side, but it was a decent portion, it was cold, and tasted delicious. In hindsight, I’d have given him a 100 Baht note for the pleasure.
The weather was too much for the players as well, with the referee sensibly splitting each half into three-thirds to allow for lots of water to be drunk. Once refreshed, Siam’s number 19 was soon back in the thrust of the action.
He had an effort saved by the feet of the Kasem keeper after he beat the offside trap, although I thought the official may have slipped up and missed the offence. One thing I was sure of was that I wasn’t going to volunteer to do his job. Any mistakes by the far-side linesman were totally acceptable.
The man in the 19 shirt was at it again, once again springing the trap, but this time firing over. However, he was not to be denied as he scored from close range just past the half-hour mark after his colleague, number 20, rolled the ball square to him. The scorer looked too embarrassed to celebrate, acknowledging his earlier misses.
He would go on to complete his hat-trick before the interval, with two more predatory finishes before both sides earned a fully deserved few minutes to recover. I could have done with some water myself, though I was fortunate that the shadows were growing.
After the interval, the students in bright orange came out with the bit between their teeth and threatened to force a comeback. Their number 23 saw an effort scrambled off the line, and then the player wearing number 88 in the Siam goal saved a shot from the same Bundit attacker.
The pressure continued as number 10 saw his effort go narrowly over the bar. The second half was more intense, with the university side getting stuck in. It led to several feisty exchanges, which I’m not totally convinced the referee handled too well.
Siam defended resolutely and then began to look dangerous on the break. The Bundit keeper pulled off a fine double save in the closing stages, before I decided to walk around, ready to make my escape after seeing that my app was indicating that my bus home had departed Minburi.
I was immensely proud of myself as my Yorkshire upbringing kicked in on reaching the stop on Thanon Kubon. The 197 bus route had some new air-conditioned vehicles, costing passengers 20 Baht a ride, like the one I caught to go to the match.
The old ones, with wooden floors, were 8 Baht with the windows being wound down to create cool air. On this occasion, the posh one arrived one minute ahead of the other. I saved myself 12 Baht. Why spend more has always been my motto, and I wasn’t going to change now.
The thriftiness continued. I still had an unused KFC discount voucher. I purchased plenty of chicken, some of which we gave to our relatives in the condo opposite. It is one of the reasons I love Thailand. It's like England of old, with a community spirit.
A wonderful day was enjoyed, after I’d earlier shown my lovely lady how to make spaghetti Bolognese, and we later relaxed for the evening over a few drinks. A few classic episodes of Only Fools and Horses, followed by the Leeds United v Manchester United game, kept us royally entertained. A Super Sunday indeed.
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