Samutsongkhram

Samutsongkhram FC

Ground: Samut Songkhram Stadium

Capacity: 6,000

Club Founded: 2002

Club Dissolved: 2023

The story of Samutsongkhram FC demonstrates just how quickly fortunes can change when investment dries up in Thai football, as the club was relegated several times, going from the top-flight to losing its place in the league.

Club History

The Early Years

The club from the city and province of the same name on the Mae Klong River, known as ‘Pla-Too-Kha-Nong’ or the ‘Raging Mackerel’ in English, started its life in the Thailand Provincial League, promotion to the second-tier Division One at the first attempt in 2005. 

A second successive promotion followed as Songkhram went up to the Thai Premier League, adapting to life in the top flight with a series of mid-table finishes. After flirting with relegation, the team was forced to play home games in Ratchaburi, as their stadium was deemed unfit in 2014. The team went down in bottom place.

Stadium Issues

The club were on the move in the year that followed while stadium repairs were carried out. Bangkok-Thonburi University Stadium was shared with Raj Pracha FC before returning home, where the goals of Marc Landry Babo offered cheer to supporters.

The return home didn't go to plan as the team was relegated to the second tier at the end of the 2016 campaign. The club consolidated, but bad news was to follow. Samutsongkhram were refused a professional license for the 2018 season because of financial issues, with the club being placed in the Thai League 4 Western Region. 

Financial Issues

Woraphot Somsang and Mirzajani Tafreshi Nima weighed in with the goals under head coach Wuttiya Yongant. A year later, Sittichai Pankoo led the scoring for the side coached by Niwet Wongwean. The Thai League was restructured with Samutsongkram being placed in T3 West. Phuwanart Saengsri was put in charge of the team.

Panupong Chimpook and then Chonlathid Groodtieng had spells as coach, with Amagwe Clement Nana and the Thakorn Wikayaphan putting away the goals. 2022-23 saw the team reach the playoffs and a victory over Port FC in the League Cup as Jhonatan Bernardo led the line under head coach Jorg Steinebrunner. 

Again, the club failed to comply with licensing requirements and was demoted from the Thai League.

My visit

Samut Songkhram 1 Army United 1

Thai Premier League - Sunday 20th October 2013 

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 c3,500 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)

A Memorable Holiday

My trip to Thailand was going tremendously well. Visits to Hua Hin and Krabi had gone to plan, and I was now really looking forward to visiting somewhere where I thought I’d be in a very small minority as a westerner.

After my flight from Krabi, I took a bus and then the Skytrain to Wongwian Wai, before a walk around the corner to the railway station of the same name. Time was getting on as my plane had been slightly delayed, so I was relieved to pay 10 THB for my ticket.

Train Through the Countryside

The plan was that the first train would take me to Samut Sakhon, where I’d get the ferry across the Tha Chin river to join up with another train that would take me through the market in Samut Songkhram to the famous Maeklong terminus.

All seemed fine as I boarded my basic carriage with the windows down and fans hanging from the ceiling. The legroom was tight as I was surrounded by some aesthetically pleasing young ladies. The ride took us through the suburbs, passing temples, housing and stalls built virtually on top of the tracks.

Pre-Match Concerns

Many fields were waterlogged as we progressed into the country. The heavy rains from the previous couple of weeks were one of my two fears when I booked my hotel and made my plans. Obviously, I didn’t want the pitch to be unfit. I had also had another concern in the lead-up to my trip.

Crowd disturbances at the relegation battle with Chiangrai United saw the game being abandoned. Fortunately for me, the Thai FA fined the club rather than making them play home games elsewhere.

Bus Replaces Train

Around eighty minutes later, we arrived at the terminus of Mahachai Station. My research had told me that I only had a short time to meet the connecting train, although I expected several others to be doing the same thing and the connection to be well organised. How little I learned! I was in Thailand.

I rushed through the busy street, which doubled up as a Sunday Market, to the ferry. Just 3 THB got me across the river. Time was against me, so on the other side, I set off as fast as I could. Ban Laem station was not signposted until I went a hundred metres down another narrow street offering wares to the passing public.

A kind lady trader stopped me. She must have seen the scene of confused foreign tourists hundreds of times in the past, before breaking the news that there wasn’t a train. I was given an up-to-date timetable. The news wasn’t good. If I waited for the next service, I’d miss kick-off.

Fortunately, the lady and her younger assistant were able to offer me a solution. They suggested that I go back over the river and go to the main street where the buses ran from, so without further ado, I was back on the ferry.

From the vessel, I could see the stadium of the Regional League Division Three club Samut Sakhon and was half tempted to go and have a look, but I decided to play it relatively safe. After all, I wasn’t sure if I could get to my destination yet!

All signs were written in Thai, which made reading impossible. I reverted to plan B and walked along the waiting buses, pointing and saying Samut Songkhram. Ideally, the drivers would either nod or shake their heads. It worked, and I was soon aboard an old vehicle waiting to depart. Off we went, stopping at regular intervals. 

I had paid the driver my 25 BHT before I got on, while a rather aggressive but strangely attractive young lady conductress collected the rest of the fares. The bus continued sounding its horn whenever anyone stood by the roadside, stopping where requested. There were no official stops and definitely no timetable, but it seemed to work fine.

Welcome to Samut Songkhram

After an hour, we arrived in Samut Songkhram, where I was impressed seeing banners hanging from the streetlights with their players on them. It was obviously a town that supported their club. I jumped out when reaching the bus station and quickly got into a tuk-tuk.

The driver asked for 50 THB to take me to my hotel, which seemed good to me, even though the journeys seemed to be getting more expensive the shorter they became. My lovely room at the Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa cost less than £25. After a quick shower and change, it was time to leave. 

An Interesting Walk

The resort was right on the Mae Klong, and when I looked up towards town from the jetty, I could see the stadium’s floodlights. It reminded me a bit of Fulham! I decided that I would kill two birds with one stone by partaking in a bit of exercise by walking to the venue.

I took a wrong turn away from the main road and ended up in the back lanes, where plenty of warm smiles were exchanged. They were probably amused by a blatantly lost foreigner. Dogs howled, so I was most relieved to get back on the main drag and into the town centre, soon finding the railway I wanted to see the following morning when the train arrived.

On the other side, a market was on a large open square. The sounds and smells justified my decision to do something different. After purchasing some snacks, I continued towards the stadium. A couple of lads in shirts were a dead giveaway, so I followed them and came out on the dual carriageway with the Samut Songkhram Stadium just over the footbridge.

Pre-Match Atmosphere

I just love approaches to football grounds, especially ones where a crowd is gathering. Home and away fans bought from the various street traders selling food and drink. My purchase of three sticks with freshly grilled beef on them proved to be a winner. To wash it down, I opted for a can of Leo. The total outlay was less than a quid.

The match ticket was purchased from one of two huts. Guards were inspecting tickets at the gates in a courteous mood before I advanced onto the concourse behind the Main Stand. I went under the stand into the club shop. Koolsport produced the club's kit, so I wasn’t too upset when they didn’t have a sky-blue top in my size. I went for a white baseball cap.

A Ramshackle Stadium

Experience told me that the best atmosphere at Thai stadiums tended to be on the opposite side of the main stands, so I set off around the goal. Samut Songkhram Stadium was not one of the best in the league. It had a raised Main Stand. There was nothing behind either goal apart from access paths. The pitch had a cinder running track surrounding it.

The far side was made up of semi-permanent open stands on scaffolding, not unlike what you see at golf tournaments. However, these were extremely steep, with no seats, while offering a good view, and they required some fitness to climb them. 

The visiting Army fans were in the next block along. I would guess that around 500 had travelled down from Bangkok. As ever, a group of young ultras tried to lead the cheerleading at the front. They were joined by a brilliant older bloke wearing a Portugal away shirt. At first, I thought his dance on the little stage was for a laugh, but he carried on for the full first half.

The teams, as customary, stood for the King's Anthem before kick-off. All the locals were friendly towards me. Thais are well known for smiling, but the people of Samut Songkhram were breaking all kinds of records. They seemed to particularly like my struggle up the stand and my making a few quick recordings of my surroundings.

The Match

The pitch was a real pudding and in awful condition in places, making fluid play difficult. Army showed their quality in the early stages, but the home side was really putting in a shift as a defeat could have had disastrous consequences in their attempts at staying up.

The players had left the pitch, but out of nowhere, a big cheer went up. I looked down to see the hilarious sight of the heroic dancer having gone straight through the stage. His pals were trying to lift him out of the debris!

An Early Night

On full time, I took my time to walk around and was most amused to hear the 1970’s classic, ‘Yellow River’ by Christie booming out over the PA. I decided to head back into the town centre, hoping to find a bar with some home fans inside. However, it appeared that nightlife and Samut Songkhram didn’t appear to go hand in hand.

The fag end of the market was still ongoing, but instead, I bought some toasties and drinks at the 7/11 before heading home for an early night to listen to the games from back in the UK, as well as taking a lovely seat on the waterfront to reflect on a classic day.

Monday Morning Train Market

The following morning was another stunner. After I had my breakfast and said my farewells, I once again decided to walk into town, only this time on the main road. Freshly caught fish from the river stood drying on hooks by the roadside, and once again, nobody was shy of a large smile.

I arrived by the level crossing at Maeklong station in decent time after walking through the packed indoor market that had stalls literally right up to the track. The sun was burning through, and temperatures were around 30’.

My luggage was becoming a pest, especially as huge crowds of tourists were gathering. I decided to ask a lady running a sweet and cake stall right by where I wanted to be if she’d look after my bags in return for a donation. 

Her assistant immediately recognised me as it transpired that I’d bought my snacks from her on the way to the match the night before. They agreed to help me but refused any money. It summed up the good folk of the town.

The train arrived a little late in true Thai style as the trader dismantled their stalls to allow it through. It was a little contrived, but still a tremendous spectacle and one I was delighted that I’d taken in. I departed after saying my thank you to walk around to the bus station for my next adventure, which was a bus ride to Ratchaburi.

Further Reading and Watching 

If you have enjoyed reading this article, you might wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles, including the one above in which we visited Samut Songkhram and the Mae Khlong Railway Market on a tour of Thailand and Laos.

You might also like to get hold of a copy of my book, which covers the adventure, along with dealing with the language barrier and understanding Thai culture. It is available in paperback and on Kindle.

Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi FC

Ground: Dragon Solar Park

Capacity: 13,000

Club Founded: 2004

League: Thai League 1 (current level)

Ratchaburi FC is a fine example of what can be achieved by a provincial club when building gradually on and off the pitch, including the construction of one of Thailand's finest football stadiums.

Club History

Early Years

The club initially played its home games at Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium, starting life in the second-tier Division 1, from where they were relegated to Group A of Division 2. Head coach Somchai Maiwilai took over to lead the side after the club had been moved to Division 2 Central-East.

Prapol Pongpanich had a spell in charge before coach Somchai returned. The Nitikarnchana family took over ownership of the club, with their investment paying off as the Dragons won their divisional title in 2011 with Pornchai Ardjinda rattling in the goals.

Sponsorship and Ownership Take Off

2012 saw sugar producer Mitr Phol become the club sponsor, leading to a change of club title to Ratchaburi Mitr Phol. Investment in the playing squad saw the team lift the Division 1 title and top-flight football as Douglas top-scored.

To add to the triumph, Ratchaburi also reached the final of the League Cup, losing 4-1 to Buriram United in farcical circumstances. Owing to the number of ineligible loanees in the squad, the Dragons had a bare eleven players to choose from and no substitutes.

Top-Flight Football 

In their debut season in the Thai Premier League, the Dragons struggled under Spanish head coach Ivan Palanco. However, once again, they reached the League Cup Final at Thammasat Stadium against Buriram United, which ended in defeat after taking the lead.

In 2016, the club moved from a municipally owned arena a few miles west outside the city to the village of Huai Phai to the brand new, purpose-built Mitr Pohl Stadium, which was owned by the club.

The 2016 campaign saw the team announced as joint winners of the FA Cup along with three other semi-finalists as the season was truncated owing to the sad death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Previous home, Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium

Top Stars Head to Ratchaburi

Brazilian striker Heberty finished as the top scorer for a third successive season before moving on. Marcel Essombé topped the scoring charts a year later. German international Christian Ziege arrived as head coach ahead of the 2018 season. However, he lasted just one month before being replaced by René Desaeyere. 

Kang Soo-il scored the goals before Tunisian coach Lassaad Chabbi was put in charge of the side, later being replaced by Manolo Márquez. The goals of Yannick Boli helped the side to consolidate in an interesting campaign.

Francesc Bosch replaced Márquez, who was then followed by Marco Simone and then Nuengrutai Srathongvian. Despite the lack of stability, the Dragons reached the FA Cup final, where they were defeated 1-0 by Port FC.

Recent Progression

Skipper Philip Roller, top scored in 2020-21, in another season with four head coaches as Chaitud Uamtham, Miloš Joksić, Bruno Pereira, and Somchai Maiwilai all had turns at the helm. A couple of years later, Mitr Phol dropped its sponsorship, with the stadium being renamed Dragon Solar Park. 

Xavi Moro took charge of the team, where, for a second successive season, Brazilian star Derley led the scoring charts as the team ended eighth. Carlos Peña was appointed as Ratchaburi head coach in June 2023, with the performances of defender Jonathan Khemdee standing out. 

Surapong Kongthep, Somcahi, in a third spell, and then Worraroot Srimaka had spells as team boss. The goals of Clément Depres helped Ratchaburi to fourth place in the league in 2024-25. They also reached the semi-finals of the League and FA Cup, losing to Muangthong United and Lamphun Warriors, in farcical conditions at Chonburi's Daikin Stadium. 

A fine run the following season in the AFC Champions League Two and a third-place finish in Thai League 1 ensued a year later.

My visits

Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium

Stadium Visit - Monday 14th October 2013

Opportunity Knocks

It is fair to say that despite having a decent knowledge of football in ‘The Land of Smiles’, I was short on knowledge of Ratchaburi as a football club, or indeed the city. A visit wasn’t anywhere near my radar when I set out on my great two-week adventure, but like many times before, I grabbed an opportunity when it was going begging.

My chance came about after staying in Samut Songkhram and wanting to return to Hua Hin, as I’d enjoyed my three days there the previous week so much. My research told me that it was possible to catch a train to the resort if I somehow got to Ratchaburi.

Education Through Bus Rides

This was solved by way of a bus ride from Sam Song. Even the bus ride was fascinating as we drove along a highway familiar to me before we went straight on rather than heading south like the Hua Hin bus does. It was new scenery for me to take in.

The fare was 25 Baht, and for that, we were treated to a Thai drama on the TV over the driver's seat. I hadn’t a clue what was happening on the screen, but it followed the usual pattern. The girl finds the boy and falls in love before they fall out, and eventually make up with some storyline around it.

What impressed me most was that it ended at exactly the same time as we entered Ratchaburi. Was this perfect timing from our driver, or had he delayed our journey so the few passengers remotely interested saw the end? I will never know.

Anyway, I had sketched out a rough route to the stadium from where I thought the bus station was. It’s strange how the simplest of walks on Google Earth turns into a logistical nightmare once in real life. In short, I got lost.

Stadium Ambience

Salvation was at hand with a large tourist map at the side of a busy street. A young local astutely saw my expression and offered assistance. Before long, I was traipsing down the hot streets getting nearer my target. My luggage consisted of a rucksack on my back and my laptop bag in front. It was tiring work, but I would not be beaten.

Street cafes lie outside the grounds of Ratchaburi Stadium, which also has other facilities as well as the main arena. Just as I was going in, I was passed by a couple of double-decker coaches, who were carrying Dragons supporters back from their team's 1-0 defeat at Chiangrai United the previous evening. It was now gone 1pm the next day.

Kind Locals

Despite this, the young colourful fans seemed in reasonable spirits. It also gave me hope of access inside the stadium. I was struggling until I saw a club official. He kindly took me upstairs and opened a door into the VIP area, as well as taking my photo.

Ratchaburi Stadium was like many other football venues in Thailand in that it had a running track surrounding the pitch. The vast majority consisted of open, large steps, which fans usually sat on and one covered stand down the side with a few proper seats in the VIP area. All the steps were painted in the team's colour of orange, which gave it a nice look.

I thanked my new friend and walked around where many fans were being picked up to go home before really chancing my arm in the aid of saving time and energy.

Opposite the stadium was the city’s main hospital. Behind it was the road to the railway station. To go all the way around would have taken quite some time, so I decided to walk through the hospital grounds in the hope that there was an exit on the other side. After much smiling and “sawasdees”, my punt paid off, and I was heading down to the station.

Train to Hua Hin

I saw a couple of lovely places that I noted for refreshments if I had a wait. As I went into the booking office, the clerk serving asked where I was going. When I replied “Hua Hin”, he ushered me and sold me my ticket for 23 Baht (about 60p) and told me that the train was arriving in a couple of minutes!

The journey was another joy despite the train being packed as locals walked up and down the carriages selling their wares. It was certainly cheaper than back home, and it made a refreshing change. I’d had another brilliant day, and my luck was well and truly in!

at Dragon Solar Park

Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 2 Chonburi 2

Thai League 1 - Saturday 30th April 2022

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,347 🎟️ 200 THB (£5)

Friends Reunited

The previous week, I had visited Kanchanaburi for a stopover to take in the Muangkan United v Navy contest, as I wanted to see a bit of easily reached Thailand and tick off some new venues now that I had moved full-time to the Land of Smiles.

My decision to take in this game was influenced by the prospects of a cracking venue, what looked like an interesting town on my previous visit and the chance to catch up with a mate. Dale, a loyal Chonburi supporter, was back over from the UK for a few weeks, but this outing offered a great opportunity.

Journey to Ratchaburi

My adventurous streak led me to take a bus and then MRT to Hua Lamphong station to take the train to my destination. I had pre-booked a ticket online for the 12.30pm sleeper service that would be going all the way to Su-ngai Kolok, on the Malaysian border.

My fare was 87 Baht, and my carriage had normal seating before converting to bunk beds long after I had alighted. Unfortunately, the convertible nature of the car meant little legroom, which was exacerbated by a local stretching out to sleep opposite.

Arrival was late by over thirty minutes in Ratchaburi, taking three hours in total. It was just as well the match had a 6.15 kick-off. Using previous knowledge, I cut through the grounds of the hospital, getting a few looks before heading to my digs for the night, called My Room on Si Suriyawong.

It was a nice enough room, as I settled for an hour’s nap before ordering a taxi on the Bolt app to Mitr Phol Stadium. The reasonable 110 Baht fare to the out-of-town venue went past Khao Kaen Chan, the highest mountain in the province, which looked like a nice attraction. Dale arrived with his good lady Nui and friends Tim and Val, allowing us a nice chat.

Stadium Impressions

My immediate impression of the stadium was very favourable, with a great dragon design brightening up the rear of the main West Stand. I know that the away section was around on the far side, but I didn’t realise that I had to purchase my 200 Baht ticket at the snazzy main office.

Time was fortunately on my side to wander back around and get in before the teams made their appearance on the excellent ground. The East Stand was especially impressive, split between home and away fans and was most conducive to excellent acoustics with its high roof.

The Match

There were some great views of the surrounding areas to be gleaned from the top of the steeply raked structure as the sun went down, creating a dramatic backdrop as the teams came out and the match got underway.

Both sides had efforts off target in the early exchanges before the hosts went ahead in seventeen minutes. Martiniquais forward Steeven Langil went on a good run down the left to feed the Brazilian, Derley, who slotted home.

Neither defence was covering themselves in glory, and it was no shock when the equaliser came ten minutes later, when a clever chip from Saharat Sontisawat found Gidi Kanyuk, whose shot into the deck bounced out of reach of keeper Kampol Pathomakkakul after his run cleverly beat the offside trap.

The Sharks should have taken the lead when a fine move was wasted by the unmarked Kritsada Kaman at the back post. The game was being played in decent spirit, so it was a surprise when home man Kritsananon Srisuwan made a ridiculous late challenge on Dennis Murillo. A yellow card was a generous call from referee Songkran Bunmeekiart.

The offender then made another reckless late challenge and seemed somewhat surprised to be sent to the dressing rooms seven minutes later. Some players never seem to learn. Surely Chonburi would be the favourites going into the second half.

But Ratchaburi had other ideas, coming out and retaking the lead four minutes after the restart. More excellent creativity from Langil set up Kasidech Wettayawong, whose effort from the edge of the box seemingly wrongfooted the unsighted goalie, Thatpicha Auksonsri.

Superb footwork from the Dragons' Derley saw him flick a shot against the post after perplexing his marker and Auksonri. The scores were levelled up after sixty-seven minutes through a fine goal when a backheel from Kanuk put in Kritsada to finish coolly.

It was as though both managers had told their teams to go out and have fun, with not too much riding on the result. It was a great watch for a neutral. The impressive Langil nearly set up Derley once again in the closing stages.

At the other end, Kanuk offered substitute Phanthamit Praphanth a half chance to either finish or return the pass, but he did neither as he screwed wide. Then Sontisawat tested out Pathomakkakul as the visitors finished strongly.

A draw was about right. We hung around after the game while both teams went on their customary thank you to each set of supporters before home fans were allowed out onto the pitch to join their heroes.

Saturday Night in Ratchaburi

Tim kindly gave me a ride back into town in the open back of the truck as Dale and I supped a can of beer. A proper way home from a match! I left my friends to go for a walk and try to find some bars by the riverside night market.

Nothing appeared to serve beers, so I ended up having a KFC and an early night before heading out early again the following morning for another walk and to try and find where the bus departed from back to Bangkok.

It had been an excellent adventure that continued all the way until I eventually found my transport and later met my mates back in the capital to head to the match between Port FC and Nongbua Pitchaya.

If you have enjoyed reading this article, you might wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles, including the one above in which I visited Ratchaburi, including some match footage.

PT Prachuap

PT Prachuap FC

Ground: Sam Ao Stadium

Capacity: 5,000

Club Founded: 2009

League: Thai League 1 (current level)

Prachuap FC has shown that using sponsorship cash wisely can maintain a top-flight club for many seasons, playing good football and reaching occasional cup finals.

Early Years of the Killer Wasps

The seaside city of Prachuap Khiri Khan provides a stunning backdrop for the club known as the Killer Wasps. Initially called Prachuap Khiri Khan FC, the side competed in the third-tier Regional League Division 2 Central & Eastern Region, playing at Sam Ao Stadium.

The club was moved to play in the Southern Region, but pulled out before a ball was kicked on the grounds of safety. Allocated their previous place, the now Prachuap FC returned in 2011. The following year would see a vast improvement in team performance.

Promotion to the Top Flight

They reached the playoffs under the leadership of ambitious and innovative chairman Mr Songkiat Lim-aroonrak. The 2014 season saw Prachuap win the third-level Division 2 South, going on to be promoted through the playoffs.

The team consolidated as Osvaldo Neto provided the goals before Macedonian Hristijan Kirovski led the charts in the following campaign. Willen Mota would then become the crowd's hero in 2017 as Prachuap won promotion to the top-flight Thai League 1.

Major Honour

A sponsorship deal with a major fuel company to become PT Prachuap was signed, while head coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul saw his outfit end in an impressive sixth position. It was another Brazilian, Jonatan Reis, who put away the goals before fellow countryman Caion took over the mantle. 

2019 was a groundbreaking season for the club, lifting its first major honour. In a dramatic League Cup final at Muang Thong, Prachupa defeated Buriram United 8-7 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time. Maurinho had earlier put his side ahead in normal time. 

Recent Years

Prachuap ended in mid-table for a couple of seasons once the Thai League had adopted the European fixture calendar, as Willen Mota continued to enjoy his time on the coast. He scored the goal that took his team, under head coach  Issara Sritaro, to another League Cup final. Buriram United gained revenge with a 4-0 win at BG Stadium.

Teerasak Po-on was given the head coach's role before being replaced by Dusit Chalermsan a few months later. Samuel Rosa became the latest Brazilian to thrill the crowds while the team put in a couple of mid-table finishes.

Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, Božidar Bandović and then the returning Dusit had spells as head coach before Sasom Pobprasert was given the job at the start of the 2024-25 season. The goals of Chrigor led to another creditable finish. It was repeated the following season, which saw an FA Cup final appearance. Buriram United came out on top after extra time.

My visit

PT Prachuap 1 Port FC 1

Thai League 1 - Saturday 28th January 2023

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,023 🎟️ 200 THB (£5)

Weekend Escape

This was a trip that I was really looking forward to, in the company of my lovely girlfriend Taew. We set off nice and early on Saturday morning from our condo in the Bangkok suburbs, with me doing my best to give the correct directions to my partner.

As we were making good time, she suggested we stop off at Don Hoi Lot for food. Well, I’m game for any new place, and what a place she had found. It was a small tourist village south of Samut Songkhra,m right on the coast.

Discovering Prachuap Khiri Khan

After a stretch and some photo opportunities, we sat down to a lavish seafood lunch. Both very full, our journey continued past signs for Petchaburi and Hua Hin before we finally turned off near 4pm to head into the small city of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Now, I’m a good walker, but my other half is not so much so. Therefore, it was a shock when we spotted a temple on a mountain, which she said we would park up and walk to the top. It was extremely steep and tiring, but what a view.

The coastline with its features had immediately won me over, and so did the immediately obvious friendliness of the locals. We found our hotel, Prachuap Beach, which had a fantastic room for the 750 Baht that I shelled out. After a shower, we went for a wander.

I enjoyed sitting at the open-fronted Timber Hut Café with a cold beer, watching the waves crash against the sea wall across the road, even if it was turning a bit chilly, or at least it felt that way. It sounds silly talking about cold Thai weather when games were being called off back in England.

Unusual Matchday Transport

It was soon time for me to try to work out how to get to the game. The helpful receptionist arranged a taxi for me, which was not what I expected. A happy old chap turned up on his motorcycle with a box attached to it with two planks on it. A sidecar, but not as I knew it.

Taew waved me off before she decided to use the room to its max. It was just 50 Baht to the Sam Ao Stadium. Some very friendly expats told me where I could buy my ticket for the away fans section, where a table had been set up outside, giving away free food to those cheering for Port. Unbelievable.

Limited Away End

The beer stalls were around the far side, and again, all I saw were happy and nice people. I grabbed one to take upstairs to our seats, which didn’t offer much in the way of a view or legroom, way back behind the curve and goal.

Not long into the game, I got chatting to another Port expat. Jamie and his wife, Mam, live in Cha Am just up the coast. They had travelled down by train for their first game in three years, and it turned out that they were staying in accommodation near us.

There were several others from the expat Port support, in a turnout of around 150. Most of the home fans, and particularly the more vocal element, were down the far side, with the main stand a long way from the pitch being sparsely populated.

The game was extremely open and quick in the early encounters, and I thought we could be in for a high-scoring encounter. As bookies around the UK will be quick to tell you, once again, I called it wrong.

The Match

In the first couple of minutes, a shot from well outside the box from Port’s Sergio Suárez brought keeper Chatchai Bootprom into action with a flying save. Visiting skipper Tanaboon Kesarat looked lively alongside William Weidersjö in midfield as their side made a good start.

The home side were not slow in putting in challenges which fired up away coach Matt Holland and tested referee Mongkolchai Pechsri. The nearest Prachuap came in the first half was when Port tried to be too cute, playing their way out of defence. Chakkit Laptrakul pounced but dragged his shot wide.

Visitors Ahead

At the break, I wandered back around and grabbed another Leo for the second half. Plenty of tailgate parties were in evidence among home and away fans throughout my procession. Not all the stadiums are top-class in Thailand, but the experience of a matchday is fantastic.

Not all the Port fans were back in position and missed the highlight of the game, at least as away fans. A cross to the far side of the box found Bordin Phala, who teed up Kevin Deeromram, whose delicious bending cross was headed down into the net by Suphanan Bureerat in front of our section.

Under Pressure

I was most happy, as I honestly could not see Prachuap scoring. Port were playing very well. Inevitably enough, the hosts decided to do something about the goal, and it was not long before the away keeper, Somporn Yos, was forced to pull off a superb point-blank save from a header from Brazilian forward Samuel Rosa.

He was then called into action to push away a shot through a crowded area from Laptrakul. The same two players again saw action, with the goalie stopping an effort on target as the visitors were forced further back by the minute when they could have offered more offensively.

Here Comes the Equaliser

A clever one-two inside the Port box saw Yos smother a cross with his legs that was destined to be tapped in behind him, with Thanaset Sujarit, the frustrated player, seeing his hard work being denied.

Port were using one or two naughty tactics of their own, which saw them pick up four yellow cards after the interval. The board indicated that there would be five minutes of additional time, but we still felt confident.

Kesarat made a couple of poor efforts to clear, which saw the ball land at the feet of sub, Nattawut Suksum, who screwed wide. With a minute left, a deep corner found the head of Samuel, who headed down through a crowd to grab a last-gasp equaliser.

Back into Town

No, I was not amused. Still, it’s only a game, as the saying goes. We hung around to say thanks to the players who had put in a shift. 1-1 was the right score in the end, but Port should have won it if the right tactics had been employed. In my opinion, anyway.

On the final whistle, Mam had phoned the same guy who had taken them in his sidecar to the game, and he arranged for a friend to pick us up from outside the main gate. I telephoned Taew, who was waiting by our hotel when we returned, ready to go for food and drinks.

Saturday Night in Prachuap

Several fans had used the Blue Monkey bar adjacent to where we stayed before the match and were gradually returning. The pair of us headed to the night market set up in front of the Muang Prachuap Khiri Khan District Office.

I was ready for some food, having tried just a couple if sticks of tasty small meatballs in sauce at the stadium since lunchtime. My trusted partner chose the food, which was tasty and cheap, before we returned to the bar for a couple of drinks and a chat.

In no time at all, the chill and a long day decreed that we were ready to crash out. However, that meant that we were up at 7am the following morning to be greeted with the dramatic view up the coast as we enjoyed coffee and pastries in our room.

Stop Off in Sakhon Nakhon

Taew certainly isn’t one to hang around, perfectly suiting my nature, so we were soon heading north, ready for a stop at Sakhon Nakhon, where we bought a ton of seafood to take home to enjoy on Sunday evening.

The market is partly built right alongside the railway tracks around Maha Chai station. It is a smaller version of the experience I thoroughly enjoyed a few miles away at Mae Klong in Samut Songkhram on my visit some years previously.

A New Phone

The excitement was far from over, as we headed to Fashion Island, not too far from base, after we somehow managed the quickest route. I was in top form, despite doubts from my pilot. We met my lady’s son, who was advising me on a new phone.

Back at home, I then spent what seemed like an eternity transferring data before he arrived to share the lovely food and then carried out a full transfer in just over half an hour. Well, he does work in IT, and I'd got my wires crossed, not realising he was on his way.

Summing Up

So, overall, a great weekend. A fair result, even if a late dropping of a couple of points wasn’t ideal. Beautiful places and company, new friends, an excellent hotel, stunning food, a few drinks, and a 57-year-old got to play with a new phone. Perfect!

If you have enjoyed reading this article, you might wish to visit my YouTube Channel, where there are numerous homemade Thai football videos, as well as a wide range of content covering all aspects of life in the Land of Smiles. It includes the one below covering our weekend escapades.