APBY Airport Stadium (Bangkok)

Airport Stadium is a football venue on Hathai Rat Road in the north-west Bangkok suburb of Sam Wa. The venue has two pitches, divided by a small couple of stepped covers and is used by multiple clubs in the Bangkok Premier League and Thailand Amateur League.

The venue has a big connection with professional club Chainat United, judging by the memorabilia on display in the smart clubhouse and café. Airport Stadium also has a fine food outlet, cover for spectators as well as a roof terrace. 

BT United FC, an academy club formed in 2019 which teaches football, focusing on improving, correcting and developing young players are based at the ground. BT United entered the Thailand Amateur League in 2022, finishing bottom of Bangkok Group E.

My visits

I first discovered Airport Stadium for a game in the Bangkok Premier League and was delighted when the ground was chosen as a neutral venue in the 2022 Thailand Premier League.

Please click on the blue links below to read full reports where they don't otherwise appear.

AC Tuttocuoio 0 Harmonious United 4 (Sunday 6th February 2022) Bangkok Premier League Division 1 (Att: c30)

Rajdamnern FC 3 Bangkhuntien FC 1 (Sunday 8th May 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Group C (att: c75)

Bangkapi 2 Patumkongka 0 (Saturday 14th May 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Quarter Final (att: c120)

A 197 bus took me halfway up Hathai Rat Road before a pleasant woman taxi driver, who was keen to try out her decent English, delivered me the rest of the way to Airport Stadium where a good sized crowd had assembled.

Grabbing some liquid’s, I went upstairs and got a seat at the front of the balcony to witness a similar start to Bangkapi’s previous game. They were being cheered by around 100 of those present and perhaps took a time to settle.

Somboondee hit the side netting before Patumkongka forced a series of corners. I had taken the opportunity to see them the previous Wednesday in a friendly with Nonthaburi City when they gave their full squad playing time. They seemed a decent outfit.

Achitaphon Kinsen really should have put them ahead with a free header at the back post from a corner. At the other end Somboondee latched onto a weak header from a Patumkongka defender towards keeper Suwwanaphat Na Suwan but his effort went wide.

Somboondee hit the side netting before Patumkongka forced a series of corners. I had taken the opportunity to see them the previous Wednesday in a friendly with Nonthaburi City when they gave their full squad playing time. They seemed a decent outfit.

Achitaphon Kinsen really should have put them ahead with a free header at the back post from a corner. At the other end Somboondee latched onto a weak header from a Patumkongka defender towards keeper Suwwanaphat Na Suwan but his effort went wide.

Like the previous week, the experience of Bangkapi’s keeper Noppakaow, skipper Sriboon and defender Permsomboon came to the fore. Sriboon never missed an opportunity to get into the ear of referee Niruoh Panjontuk, while ably assisted by the coaching team.

Seenunejan had scored a brace in the group deciding game and came close to opening the scoring once again when his header from a corner hit the angle of post and bar. Bangkapi too the lead on twenty-five minutes when Krittikorn Thanyachartmongkhol finished when slid through. 

The heat of the early afternoon necessitated drinks breaks in each half, which was sensible. Sira Udomwan made it 2-0 on thirty-two minutes when he headed in on the half volley at the back post after Thanyachartmongkhol headed a corner towards goal.

Patumkongka responded with a free kick from Jiradet Taichankong that went close and then a header went narrowly over the bar. The referee was keen on blowing his whistle, but was losing his grip at times, which was in danger of spoiling a good game which was turning niggly.

 Pon..Boomdaddy catches me on camera once again

I remained in my seat at the interval. Lots of Bangkapi’s junior players were in attendance with families which created a nice atmosphere. There was a little bit of chanting with some of the elder fans enjoying beers around a drum downstairs.

Number 22, Somboondee for their side was very bright with Seenunejan and Thanyachartmongkhol good in the air. A fine one two between Somboondee and sub Yongwee set up Thanyachartmongkhol who somehow missed the open net from the low centre.

At the back Bangkapi goalkeeper Noppakaow was commanding in claiming crosses. He also knew when to take a tumble to take the sting out of the game, with the team physio being as active as any of the players.

A free kick from Yongwee came close to extending the lead at a time when plenty was going on off the ball. It seemed a matter of time before there was a flashpoint, with the Patumkongka players and coaches becoming more exasperated by the minute.

They nearly got a foot back into the encounter when Thanakit Duangtawan controlled and saw his volley go close. The fourth official Kittipong Choolerd was earning his expenses on the touchline watching on as a header was easily saved by Noppakaow.

Permsomboon was having a fine game at the back marshalling his troops and leading by example as Bangkapi looked to close out the game. It was as well that he did as Patumkongka kept going to the final whistle.

Chitsanuphong Phinthaisong went on a fine run, but nobody was on hand to convert his pull back and a header from Siwat Peerathammawat then went narrowly wide. The side had someone with a magical left foot with sweeping passes in Taichankong. He looked a proper footballer.

The more experienced side prevailed and deservedly progressed to the semi-finals of the Bangkok section of the competition. It was good at full time to see the Patumkongka team given a good ovation from the Bangkapi fans and see both parties seemingly getting on. Exactly how it should be, particularly at amateur level.

Rajdamnern1 Phimai United 2 (Saturday 14th May 2022) Thailand Amateur League Bangkok Quarter Final (att: c60)

Bangkapi 2 Phimai United 2 – Bangkapi win 3-1 on penalties (Saturday 21st May 2022) Thai Amateur League Bangkok semi-final (att: c90)

As the competition reached what was in effect the quarter final stage with regards to promotion, but the last four in the Bangkok region, I was left with a choice of sports on this Saturday.

Cricketing friends were down from Chiang Mai. I enjoyed a nice Friday evening out on Sukhumvit Soi 15 with them before they headed to the Polo Club for the Royal Bangkok Sports Club v Gymkhana Club 30 overs match. 

The RSBC were insisting on an ATK test for admission, which I didn’t really agree with. Instead, I headed back home via the Saen Saep ferry and bus before Catching a bus and taxi up Hathai Rat road to the ground, arriving just as the teams kicked off.

It was immediately apparent that there were changes to both sides line ups from the previous week. Experienced Bangkapi wily skipper Pramual Sriboon was absent, through suspension as I later found out.

Consequently, Bangkapi played a far more passing game than the previous week, which can be read about here. There was drizzle in the air and a wind blowing down the pitch. The FC Bangsaotong party arrived to watch, including my pal, the coach Jamie Clarke as we caught up throughout the game for chats.

It was Bangkapi who had the first effort with a flicked header from a wide free kick going just wide. Plenty of the clubs’ youth players were in attendance, though numbers were down on the previous week.

Phimai’s captain Panya Chueachan was doing a fine job in a holding midfield role with his calmness on the ball. Bangkapi’s defenders Pannawich Thongviriyakul and Kiadtisuk Seenunejan looked commanding with teammate Prachaya Somboondee exuding skill up front.

United’s Apichait Thakernhglaro was tricky on the ball in a game that was being played at a frenetic pace. Phimai didn’t have the speed of their younger counterparts, but they had the experience.

 

Some good play from United saw Pannawit Srithawikard being released. Keeper Ruangyot Noppakaow’s parry denied Jituphol Wongyai at the back post. The strong Somboondee at the other end was looking dangerous but lacked support from partner Chacrit Thanungmanote.

Phimai took the lead two minutes before the interval. Noppakaow in goal made a real hash of a low centre as he parried the ball into the path of Srithawikard who scored. The lead was doubled nine minutes into the second half. The strength of Chanchai Pitasay allowed him the opportunity to get his shot away.

 

It looked for all money that United had the nous to see the game out. Their goalkeeper Narubet Thanikrathok was commanding, excellent on crosses and belied his small size with excellent kicking.

However, their legs gradually began to tire while the Bangkapi youngsters still had plenty in the tank. Phimai defended deeper and deeper and encouraged pressure. I thought that they could probably just about hold on, but their opponents had other plans.

 

The lead was halved with half an hour remaining as Phak-Phum Phonjaroen scored with a low finish. I am not sure it was entirely ethical, as the Bangkapi bench instructed their youth players to don bibs and take up the role as ballboy’s to try and save time.

The Phimai players took to falling down rather a lot and require the attention of the physio. Bangkapi’s party and supporters were going berserk, which I found a tad ironic after seeing some of their previous antics, as referee Aidsara Gaedthai was being put under increasing pressure. 

Substitute Phutaress Chantasom nearly levelled things up when picked out by a fine diagonal path but his lob over the encroaching goalie went just wide of the post. Near to the end of normal time Thanikrathok produced a top save to deny Somboondee.

Phimai’s defence was creaking and their players were desperate for the sound of final whistle. In a final Bangkapi attack in the fifth minute of additional time a United defender went down with cramp. 

The referee quite rightly waved play on. A dozy tackle in the box saw a Bangkapi player go down in the box. A penalty was given. I thought it a bit soft. It mattered not to half time substitute Jettipat Wongyee who slotted the penalty away.

There was no extra time as the game went straight to spot kicks. Phimai managed to smash three of their kicks over the bar. Noppakaow was engulfed as he saved the kick to send Bangkapi through. As often happens, the inferior goalie was the hero in a penalty shoot-out. 

The celebrations went on long and loud. Phimai’s players looked fed up and just slinked away. They could still have been proud of their campaign. Bangkapi would meet the winners of the following match between FC Bangsaotong and Ramkhamhaeng University.

FC Bangsaotong 2 Ramkhamhaeng University 0 (Saturday 21^st May 2022) Thai Amateur League Bangkok semi-final (att: c60)

The earlier game meant that the winners of this clash would meet Bangkapi FC in the Bangkok area final the week after. I had chatted with Jamie Clarke the head coach of Bangsaotong through that game who was with his amiable assistant Mikel Masabe.

Also with them was St. Kitts and Nevis international forward Tishan Hanley. He had previously had spells in the Thai League 3 with Chumpon and Assumption United and was in Thailand looking for a club. He joined in a practice trial being staged by Chainat United on the second pitch. It’s amazing who you bump into at a Thai football game! 

The attendance had thinned out from the previous game, so I found a front row seat upstairs easily enough, as I watched the fourth official downstairs check off all the players against their ID cards.

Saris Suksaard and Adam Mather looked a good strong defensive pairing for Qons from the off. Mather was up against Apiluck Sunanda who was strong and excellent at holding up the ball and bringing his partner Niran Mingsaithong into play.

Ramkhamhaeng keeper Nimit Ruangwong made a fine point-blank stop to keep out a volley from Phatsakorn Srikaewnin after he was fed by a cross from Jirameth Darunphan. At the other end Mingsaithong fired a speculative shot across the face of goal.

A fine slide rule pass from the astute Apichai Kopimpa nearly created an opportunity for FCB before his side took the lead midway through the first half. Srikaewnin fired in a dipping free kick from around twenty-five yards over the wall and into the bottom corner. A goal of great beauty.

Referee Niruch Panjontuk did well to see through a tumble from the University’s Thanawut Suttinun and wave away appeals for a penalty. I had seen them given in the past. Bangsaotong extended their lead just past the half hour mark.

Goalie Ruangwong had to clear outside his box, but he scuffed his attempt. Calmness and incisive passing from Darunphan and Kopimpa set up Srikaewnin to finish off the move. The goal seemed to take the sting out of Ramkhamhaeng. 

After the break they regrouped, with FCB keeper Chaisit Petchrangsee making a good block to deny sub Kritsada Kemdem before the increasingly prominent Sunanda missed with a free header when he really should have scored.

The FCB defence were being urged not to defend too deeply by coach Clarke. Play switched with the impressive Kopimpa going on another biting run. No teammates managed to get into position to convert his low cross as his side took control of the game. 

Ruangwong pushed an effort from Darunphan round the post prior to sub Kanea Tangcravakoon going close with a header from a corner. It was becoming noisy downstairs as the Bangkapi fans continued to celebrate their earlier wins with a few beers.

A good move put in Ramkhamhaeng midfielder Thanawan Sukkaew who fired in the direction of goal, but it was off target but out of reach to be a cross, when he was well positioned. A colleague missed an open goal at the back post in the last minute of normal time when heading wide at the back post. 

They still had time to create another couple of chances before the final whistle. Another back post header went over and another cross landed at the feet of Sunanda who dragged his effort wide. The forward had a fine game and did just about everything but score.

At full time I hung around to have a couple of beers with the happy Qons party. Some of the Bangkapi imbibed group warned them that their run would end next week. Bars were officially shut for election day, so they were taking advantage of the Airport Stadium hospitality. 

No bars back home gave me a good excuse to go home and relax and watch some live football on TV from the UK. A fine day out.

AC Tuttocuolo 3 Prize of Wood 2 (Sunday 22^nd May 2022) Bangkok Premier League Division 1 (att: c15)

Linping FC 6 BP Friends United 2 (Sunday 23^rd July 2023) Bangkok Premier League Division 1 (att: 6)