Kamphaengphet

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

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

In their first three seasons, the ‘Cha Kung Rao Warriors’ finished in the lower reaches of the division before ending in sixth place in 2012, before returning to type for the following three campaigns.

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

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

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

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

Natthaphon Yueayai led the way up front in 2023-24 before Khwanchai found his old touch in 2024-25, as the team completed a remarkable fifth consecutive ninth-place finish.

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

My visit

Monday 7th April 2025

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uttaradit

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

My visit

Tuesday 25th March 2025

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

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

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

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

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

Muang Loei United

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

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

When the national league structure was reorganised for the 2017 season, the club was placed in Thai League 4 Northeast playing their home games 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theeraphon Tungdee was brought in as coach at the start of 2024-25 before being replaced by Kistachai Wongsim. The club announced a move to the Loei PAO Stadium in the city centre for the 2025-26 season.

Muang Loei United FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

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

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

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

My Roving Report for A Thai Football Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

My Top 10 Worldwide Weekend Groundhopping Destinations

My Top 10 Weekend Groundhopping Destinations 

Getting the most from spare time off work or enjoying a casual break for those of us lucky enough to be retired is always an attractive proposition. Those of us who love our groundhopping understand just how valuable time is, especially when it comes to fitting in multiple matches.

Therefore, finding cities that offer such options with lots of clubs of all standards is much desired. Ideally, with sightseeing, good food and drink, accessibility, and nightlife, with affordable travel and hotels rounding off a general tick list. 

Much of which cities or regions are preferred is down to personal choice and what standard of football those travelling are prepared to drop down to. Some prefer a couple of big games, while others enjoy doubles or trebles, ideally at new venues.

Here, in no particular order, are my favourite 10 destinations for my long weekends away when I lived and worked in London before moving to Thailand, with some kind of rationale behind the selections. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions. 

As a teaser, I’ve added links to the blog page to the club of my favourite outing in each city, which will give you some indication as to my eclectic tastes as well as other links to somewhere I consider worth visiting while in the city or a related video from my YouTube Channel, often with football influences.

Incidentally, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel, free of charge, where there are heaps of football videos, along with travel adventures around Thailand, which covers football in many titles, as well as exploring other destinations.

1.     Dusseldorf

Probably my most regular go-to destination. Regular value flights to both Dusseldorf and Cologne/Bonn offering excellent value. While Cologne is seen by many to be a more attractive city, Dusseldorf’s Aldstadt beats it hands down in terms of a night out after games, in my book.

Like the Northwest of England, there are so many clubs to watch at all levels within an hour or so, with train fares usually included in match tickets. Lots of games kick off at different times, so doubles and trebles are sometimes possible on a weekend, with choices too on a Friday night.

It's somewhere that will always be special to me as Fortuna v Bayern Munich was my first ever overseas match, and I have enjoyed so many great times in the area, including adjoining cities with the German Football Museum in Dortmund, a recently added attraction. A great atmosphere was enjoyed at several stadiums.

2.     Bangkok

Bangkok. On a weekend? Well, yeah, I know what you’re saying, but it’s not as impossible as it sounds, though it is probably best to stretch a visit to 10 days if travelling so far to get two weekends in. 

The Thai League has three pro divisions, with Thai League 3 regional including some local derbies. There are also a couple of amateur leagues for local football which have surprisingly well-appointed venues, while the semi-pro league from March to May each year for election into T3. As for the food and nightlife! And quality hotels are inexpensive.

Always something to watch throughout the year in a wonderful city, with my favourite side being very close to the tourist areas, where fans are earthy and have fun home or away, and the fan zone outside the stadium is what I think to be Bangkok's best beer garden.

3.     Bilbao

A city which often goes under the radar in groundhopping circles. There is often a Friday evening opportunity with Santander and San Sabastian not too far away. The valley reminds me of Newcastle, with a big river and lots of lower-league clubs on either side of it. 

Under-age games start early on Saturday and Sunday mornings, along with a sprinkling of lower league fixtures. Ideal opportunities for those groundhopping addicts where food and drink are usually available at the venues, an ideal way to shake off the excesses of the previous evening in a city famous for its snacks and drink around great fans. An ideal location for a couples weekend too.

 

4.     Glasgow

Many prefer Edinburgh to Glasgow, but to me, the western Scottish city has more heart and soul for a night out when a great atmosphere can be enjoyed. It’s easy to get to the capital in an hour where there are generally more Friday night opportunities, with Glasgow’s hotels making a significant savings.

 

You need to get lucky for doubles, but with more clubs becoming savvy and sharing their artificial pitches, it is no longer unusual. A great city with some tremendous venues where football is a true passion and the mandatory scotch pie and Bovril should always be part of the day out, no matter what size of club or stadium is being visited.

 

5.     Barcelona

Barca is not dissimilar to Bilbao with its spread of fixtures through the junior ranks and local clubs. Endless opportunities of doubles and trebles, depending on how far down the scale you are prepared to go. Some extremely underrated venues, too. 

Needless to say, Barcelona is an incredible city to visit. Sightseeing and strolls around the various districts with stops for food and drink more than make up for any Monday night unavailability. And there is more than one major club in town.

 

6.     Newcastle

The Geordie capital just sneaked into my list thanks to the Northern League and other feeders below it now including more Friday night fixtures and more spread-out weekend kick-off times than once before, often to accommodate the chance of fans heading to the main attraction of the weekend.

Handy for other cities such as Sunderland, with even Edinburgh accessible if there are no other Friday night options. A great area and a hotbed of English football, with a cracking social scene to match. It’s not far from the sea either, with an excellent transport system making everywhere accessible.

 

7.     Prague

Another magnificent destination with endless food and drink options, some amazing sightseeing, and a great place to stay offering magnificent value for money. One of Europe's great cities for a long weekend, it is easy to wander around. There is also no shortage of passion on a matchday.

 

The big attraction to me about Prague is that the lower leagues have kickoffs at 10.15am on a weekend as well as some late start times, with the major clubs sides under 19s playing on a Monday afternoon when I visited. There is even a club that plays regularly on a Sunday morning near the centre of town where the fans sing about their famous sausages.

 

8.     Vienna

Oh, Vienna. as Ultravox sang. Another classic city with a great history well worth chasing up. Absolutely no danger of going hungry or thirsty, in a place I thought was like an up-market city in Germany. 

Again, lots of clubs with numerous kick-off times, with Friday night offering plenty of choices to get the weekend underway. I found games in a Christian League on a Monday night to tick off another venue, while Bratislava is only an hour away on the train for those wanting even more out of their visit.

 

9.     Brussels

Many people are put off by Brussels, considering it to have gone downhill and is rough around the edges. I thought it a good place, again with no shortage of food and drink and accessibility to so many other cities within an hour or so.

Lots and lots of venues, some being real classics with grandstands like the old non-league days and grounds in England. Passion was always in abundance on my visits, with an earthy edge to affairs in some stadiums often missing elsewhere.

 

10.  Berlin

Last but certainly not least. Berlin. History is everywhere you look, especially in the east of the city, including their football clubs as they tried to deal with the old regime. Another destination with great links to other nearby football towns if looking to fill a fix. Great nightlife and accessibility make it a perennial favourite. 

As with many other German cities, matches galore from Friday evening through to late Sunday afternoon, at all levels, including the chance to tick off the iconic Olympic Stadium as well as experience the passion of a real fans owned club.

The Travel Adventures of Rob B! YouTube Channel

An English Footballer in Thailand

Enjoy the video I compiled at the match between 
Sisaket United and Marasarakham in Thai League 2 in February 2024

featuring English defender Charlie Clough.

Many more Thai football videos plus those from elsewhere on my YouTube Channel.

FC Yala

FC Yala is a professional football club from the southern Thai city of the same name. The 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.

The new club sensed their opportunity following the demise of Yara United FC, a club formed in 2009, that played in Regional League Division 2 Southern Region. Yala Province Stadium was their initial home ground, where fifth place was achieved in 2013. 

They 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.

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 midtable 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. Jalor City 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 coaches role for 2024-25 before he was replaced by Adul Muensaman as Yala pushed for a place in the playoffs.

FC Yala will play in Thai League 3 South in the 2025-26 season.

My visits

Jaru Stadium

Friday 3rd January 2025

The dangers of visiting the southern provinces had been explained to me by my wife Taew as we journeyed with her cousin and his family, with our destination being Betong on the Malaysian border for the night on the latest leg of our tour of 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 the 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 it 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

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