Buriram United (Thailand)

Buriram United FC is one of the prominent professional football clubs in Thailand, based in the city of the same name in the region of Isaan in the northeast of the country. However, much of the history of the club was forged under a different name and location.

Provincial Electricity Authority FC, or PEA for short, was formed in 1970, playing friendly and cup football before the organisation of a national league. By 1998 the Thai League had two divisions. PEA won the Kor Royal Cup as a third level side and were promoted.

This was followed up with promotion from the second tier in 2002-03 while located at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi. Their topflight spell lasted just one year before going back down. However, the club regathered and won promotion at the first attempt in 2003-04.

PEA shocked everyone as they finished as runners-up in the Thai Premier League in 2004-05, qualifying for the 2006 AFC Champions League, as Supakit Jinajai topped the scoring charts.

After two moderate seasons, PEA were crowned as Thai league champions in 2008 after relocating north to the Ayutthaya Province Central Stadium as Ronnachai Rangsiyo rattled in the goals under head coach Prapol Pongpanich.

PEA went out in the preliminary round of the 2009 AFC Champions League to Singapore Armed Forces with Pongpanich being replaced by Thongsuk Sampahungsith as the team ended in midtable.

At the end of the season PEA were bought by Isaan politician Newin Chidchob who moved the club to his hometown after failed attempts to purchase TOT SC and Thai Royal Army FC, and renamed them Buriram PEA FC, much to the anger of the fan base in Ayutthaya.

At the same time Chidchob’s wife Mrs.Karuna Chidchob formed her own club Buriram FC who were accepted into the third tier Regional League North Eastern Region playing their matches at Buriram Rajabhat University Stadium.

Buriram PEA meanwhile sacked Sampahungsith during the 2010 season to be replaced by Thanadech Fuprasert who in turn departed after six months for Attaphol Buspakom to take over at Khao Kradong Stadium as the team finished in second place as well as reaching the League Cup final.

By June in the 2011 campaign the club had moved into the new purpose built New I-Mobile Stadium, nicknamed The Thunder Castle as the club began to make a name for itself in its new location.

United swept to the league title by sixteen points with Cameroon forward Frank Ohandza leading the scoring charts as crowds flocked to the new stadium in their thousands. The team would go on to add the two domestic cups to crown a remarkable season.

Muangthong United were defeated in the FA Cup final in Bangkok’s Suphachalasai Stadium, before Thai Port were seen off in the final of the League Cup.

Meanwhile, city rivals Buriram FC won Thailand Division 1 to join PEA Buriram in the top flight. Both clubs had the obvious close family links, but also allowed players to be loaned to one another, raising more than a few eyebrows.

Newin Chidchob bought Buriram FC from his wife and sold its rights to Songkhla FC who decided to rename the club Wuachon United FC, while keeping their own entity so that the city then had clubs in the top two divisions.

Chidchob reasoned that the same was to develop football in the southern city as it was the only region in Thailand not to have a topflight club. In 2013 Songkhla FC and Wuachon United FC merged to form Songkhla United FC.

Back in Isaan the 2012 season saw the club renamed as Buriram United, with Buspakom’s team bringing in more silverware. Two goals from Goran Jerković were enough to defeat Army United 2-1 in the FA Cup Final.

In the League Cup Final Ratchaburi were hammered 4-1. The league season was somewhat of a disappointment in comparison, as ‘The Thunder Castles’ only finished in fourth position.

Buspakom was sacked in May 2013 to be replaced by Scott Cooper who led the team to their third league title. Bangkok Glass were defeated in the FA Cup final at Thammasat Stadium while Ratchaburi were beaten to retain the League Cup as Buriram completed their second treble.

Spanish striker Carmelo González ended the season as league top scorer with the Filipino Javier Patiño also weighing in as Theeraton Bunmathan picked up the plaudits for his defensive play.

Alejandro Menéndez took over the managerial reigns for the 2014 campaign as once again United failed to get past the group stages of the AFC Champions League. The boss took the hit for the failure as Božidar Bandović was appointed early into the season.

In turn Bandović lasted just a couple of months before being replaced by Alexandre Gama. Many felt that the appointments were in name only as Chidchob was said to have a say in team matters and was often seen on the bench.

Despite the changes United retained the league title but relinquished their cup crowns; BEC Tero Sasana defeating them in the final of the League Cup as Thai’s Jakkaphan Kaewprom and Suchao Nuchnum impressed throughout the season.

Gama was left in charge of the 2015 season, with the move paying off as another treble was delivered. The Brazilian forward duo of Diogo and Gilberto Macena being set up regularly by Bunmathan was too much for opposing defences.

Rivals SCG Muangthong United were beaten 3-1 in the FA Cup Final with Sisaket being defeated in the League Cup final. United came close to progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League, but they lost out on goal difference from Group F.

The 2016 season saw Gama remarkably sacked and replaced by the Iranian coach, Afshin Ghotbi. He lasted just a few months before Ranko Popović was appointed in his place. The league campaign finished with a fourth-place spot.

Andrés Túñez finished as the team top scorer as United reached the League Cup final, but the game wasn’t played because the season was abruptly ended owing to the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The 2017 season saw Božidar Bandović arrive as the new team boss midway through the campaign. The Montenegrin took the club to their sixth league title as Jajá Coelho smashed in the goals, aided by Diogo.

The same season saw the club enter a ‘B’ team made up of under 23 players into the extended Thai League 4 Northeastern Region. Click here to read about them and to have a look at Khao Kradong Stadium.

The 2018 Champions League campaign finally saw United progress from the group stage as they finished as runners-up to Guangzhou Evergrande before going out to South Korean outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the Round of 16.

Bandović took his side to the league title in 2018 as Diogo topped the scoring charts as well as reaching the FA Cup final where they went down 3-2 to Chiangrai United at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok.

The 2019 campaign saw Buriram end as league runners-up, despite of the goals from Supachok Sarachat, as they also lost in the final of the League Cup, losing on penalties to PT Prachuap at SCG Stadium.

The Thai season was matched with the European calendar for the 2020-21 campaign, which was severely affected by Covid-19. Again, it ended in second place in the league with Alexandre Gama taking over as head coach in October 2020. However, the 2021-22 would be a vastly different story.

Japanese coach Masatada Ishii replaced Gama in November 2021, taking the side to the league title. This was backed up by lifting the League Cup 4-0 against PT Prachuap at BG Stadium with goals from Jonathan Bolingi, who netted twice, as well as Peeradon Chamratsamee and Suphanat Mueanta.

The treble was completed with a 1-0 extra time victory against Nakhon Ratchasima Mazda on the final of the FA Cup with Bolingi scoring the winner at Thammasat Stadium. The season saw Supachai Chaided lead the scoring charts.

The second successive treble followed in 2022-23. Bangkok United were defeated 2-0 in the FA Cup final with BG Pathum United seen off by the same score in the final of the League Cup, while the league title was sewn up early and eventually won by twelve points.

Coach Ishii was offered the Thai national team job by owner Chidchob, which didn't come to fruition, and was replaced at Buriram by Arthur Papas in August 2023.

Buriram United FC will play in Thai League 1 in the 2023-24 season.

My visits

Buriram United 0 Chainat Hornbill 1 (Saturday 16^th June 2018) Thai League 1 (att: 7,289)

I’d wanted to get to Buriram to watch a game ever since I’d started attending Thai matches eight years earlier. Somehow the fixtures always transpired against me as I was usually busy on cricket business.

On this occasion I was in Thailand purely for travel, socialising and football. This was my ideal opportunity to get to a game and catch up with Gary Griffiths, my old pal from back home who was residing in the area.

We’d caught up briefly on the previous evening before meeting for a late breakfast on a glorious Saturday morning. Gary was the ideal tour guide as we headed to the stadium to pick up my match ticket before doing some sightseeing stuff.

The view over the surrounding area and the Chang Arena, as the stadium had been renamed, was fantastic from Khao Kradong Forest Park. After a look around a couple of shopping malls we enjoyed beers first at Up2you Bar.

This was a nice modern place with an expat trade, and on the way to the Best Western Royal Hotel, where we tried to work out where and what time the bus would leave to take me to Buriram Airport the following morning.

Without any luck in that regard, we went on to Paddys Irish Bar, a fine place with friendly punters and staff and a lovely view over the road to the moat which was gradually being landscaped. It looked stunning, especially after a couple of Archas beers.

Time was getting on, so we headed to the excellent Muang Pizza for a meal, of which I went overboard going for a starter as well as main course. I was full to bursting as we set off towards the stadium.

We were early, which was handy in securing a good parking place. We headed a few minutes away to an outdoor area with plenty of food and beer stalls as well as attractions for kids, which we seemed to think opened most evenings.

The bars were showing different the Thai League games that were already underway. Our bar of choice had the Police Tero against Chiang Rai United game, which our mutual friends Sean and Tracy were at.

The rain started to come down as the stall holders tried to put covers over their punters. In all honesty the rain was quite refreshing. However, as kick off time approached in became much heavier.

We headed across to our entrance. My ticket was a reduced 60 Baht (around £1.50). Whether this was because Gary bought it as a season ticket holder, we weren’t too sure, but it represented excellent value.

We were ushered around to the covered side on arrival. They weren’t opening our area behind the goal. This was even better. Unbelievably despite meeting at 11am, we still missed the first few seconds of an 8pm kick off!

The Chang Arena was most impressive. Both sides were covered with the ends open. It was a continuous sweep of seats with corporate hospitality facilities on the far side. It wasn’t dissimilar to the King Power Stadium at Leicester.

Not surprisingly, both venues had the same architects. The clubs also had a Thai connection. It somehow reminded me of Stamford Bridge with its steep sides close to the pitch.

The attendance was poor and even inflated from the official figure. No doubt a late Saturday kick off against what many would consider to be unattractive opponents, a poor weather forecast and Brazil playing in the World Cup on TV at the same time were factors.

The noise made by fans was still loud, despite the lack of numbers. I wondered if it was being artificially amplified. Gary told me that they had to give it their all, as they were paid to turn up by the club. 

United were poised to go top of the table with a win, while Hornbill were perched in mid table before the game. I expected a comfortable home win, especially as the hosts piled on the early pressure.

Diogo came close to breaking the deadlock on fifteen minutes, when his curling free kick from wide just outside the box was superbly tipped over by Chainat goalkeeper Teerath Nakchamnarn.

Seven minutes later Buriram broke from defending a corner. Supachok Sarachat played in Diogo who was clean through. However, his touch as he approached the box was just too heavy and was met with a great diving stop by Nakchamnarn.

Chainat were playing some nice build up play of their own without too much penetration. Once again, the hosts broke clear, with Brazilian Osvaldo breaking clear at great speed, but failing to hot the target as the keeper advanced on twenty-three minutes.

I was really enjoying the game as a neutral, but Gary was going through all the agonies of a partisan fan, especially as the chances dried up and the visitors looked more than capable of snatching something from the game.

Brilliant play from Diogo six minutes after the restart should have been rewarded, but Patiño failed to react to the low cross as the chance went begging. Korrakot Wiriyaudomsiri put in a good cross, but Osvaldo’s weak header failed to trouble the Chainat custodian.

There seemed to be little danger for Buriram on fifty-eight minutes as Santipap Ratniyom passed square to Jeera Jarernsuk around thirty yards from goal. However, the Chainat man saw his shot deflect off Sasalak Haiprakhon and beat Siwarak Tedsungnoen in the home goal.

Halfway through the second half the ball bobbled about the Chainat area before Andrés Túñez saw his header turned over by Nakchamnarn, who was having a dream evening. Two minutes later Diogo was slid in but saw his shot cannon back off the near post.

Chainat countered with Chatchai Koomphaya seeing his low shot skidding just past the post on the perfect but slick playing surface as the rain continued to fall. Some fine skill and a low shot from United’s Sarachat called the Hornbill goalie into action once more as time began to run out for his side.

Fine defending at the near post kept out Yoo Jun-soo for Buriram before a brilliant turn saw Osvaldo with a clear shooting opportunity that he blazed high and wide much to the frustration of coach Bandović and owner Chidchob on the bench.

The fifty or so visiting supporters celebrated at full time as we headed back for another look in the club shop that we’d visited earlier in the day in search of a programme. United usually issued but hadn’t bothered on this occasion.

To round off the day we went to the excellent Lively Market complex, which had lots of bars and restaurants for the locals to enjoy. The nightcap was just the tonic to round off a really top day out in good company.

I slept very easily before getting a taxi to the airport the following morning. Also waiting for the flight back to Bangkok was Chainat’s German coach Dennis Amato and his assistant who I enjoyed a pleasant word with. They were happy blokes!

Buriram United 1 Beijing Guoan 3 (Tuesday 9^th April 2019) AFC Champions League Group G (att: 9,345)

I’d not really anticipated returning to Buriram so quickly, but the fixtures worked out perfectly just after the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. Steve Walker, my regular Thai travelling companion wanted to go, as did Fah who is originally from the province.

It worked out well. Fah would meet us there, along with Gary Griffiths once again. Steve and I had some issues to overcome to even reach the city after I’d not done my homework well enough on bus travel in Isaan.

We’d been in Udon Thani for their match against Customs United on the Sunday evening. I had relied on there been a bus to Buriram. However, I was wrong. We would have needed to change in Nakhon Ratchasima with the whole journey taking seven hours.

Instead, we decided on the same travelling and change. Only by train. The snag being that we needed to be on the 5.45am service to arrive in Buriram at 2pm. What followed was the stuff of legends or nightmares, depending on your sense of humour and attitude.

Just to add an extra dynamic into the equation I decided to get the taste the night before in Udon and turn into George Best without his talent. It’s fair to say that an interesting evening evolved, meaning two very weary travellers trudging to the station in the dark early the next day.

Trying to sleep in the spartan carriages was not easy, but I got a bit of extra shut eye. I got to see the elevated part of the track that had been under construction in the Khon Kaen region on my visit the previous June. I’m not sure Steve was quite as fascinated.

We’d been assured by the assistant at Udon the day before that there was the option of an air-conditioned first-class train between Nakhon Ratchasima and Buriram. Steve’s expression at the ticket office when we changed told a different tale.

All seats were sold on what was a second class only service. I wasn’t perturbed. Surely there would be plenty of space? I was wrong. Terribly wrong. I can’t remember ever trying to get on such a busy train between towns for so long.

It was a minor miracle that we got my big case of the overhead rack. Freelance food and drink sellers squeezed down the aisles to add to the melee. All soldsimilar wares and shout out the same story. It got past being amusing after a while.

It didn’t deter me from getting my favourite lump of chicken on a stick as bemused locals looked on at the two big Farangs stood up on the train. A gaggle of Beijing fans were also further up the carriage. Goodness knows what they made of it all.

It was some relief when we pulled into Buriram. Fah was there to greet us on the platform from where it was only a walk across the track and a minute walk to the top class Klim Hotel. I couldn’t remember being as happy to flop on a bed and then take a shower!

Gary met us outside at 4pm and took us to Up2you Bar for drinks and excellent Thai food and from there to the Chang Arena, where the car park was fuller than last time. Our friend had sorted us tickets out in advance, costing 150 Baht (less than £4). Again, no programmes were on sale.

Buriram’s opponents had started the Chinese Super League with four straight wins, so it was obviously going to be a big test for the locals. The crowd was a disappointing size, but 6pm kick offs aren’t a huge help for getting from work to the game.

Beijing were certainly serious from the off, going ahead on just two minutes when the star of the show Cédric Bakambu, turned in a low cross at the near post from Li Lei. United responded and put together some good football and were unlucky when a defender deflected a cross onto his own post.

However, they were to find the Beijing defence in resolute mood, with Yu Dabao superb throughout as Pedro Junior, Supachai Jaided and Supachok Sarachart were all thwarted. Buriram were made to pay for not taking their chances on the half hour mark.

Bakambu finished an almost replica goal to the opener, only this time it was Renato Augusto who provided the cross. There were no further goals before the break as the hosts must have been ready to regroup and plan.

The Democratic Republic of Congo striker Bakambu extinguished home hopes when completing his hat trick nine minutes after the restart as he bundles home after Wang Gang saw his effort fumbled by United keeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen.

To give Buriram their credit they never gave up and continued to create several half chances. Pedro Junior saw his powerful shot from the edge of the box saved by Zou Dehai. Bakambu missed the easiest chance of the game on seventy-seven minutes.

With just over ten minutes left on the clock Buriram got the goal back they thoroughly deserved. Luong Xuan Truong and sixteen-year-old Suphanat Mueanta put together a clever move through the defence for the youngster to score.

We held out a bit of hope for a comeback. Another quick goal would have set up a thrilling finale, but it wasn’t to be despite Buriram’s valiant efforts. The Chinese side showed just that little more class in the vital areas and deserved their victory.

Post match Gary took us to Harley Route 288, a fine sprawling bar run by an amiable fella from Sunderland. Virtually all the expat blokes wore Buriram United shirts. Many had watched the match there rather than going up the road to the stadium.

From there were headed to Paddys Irish Bar, where the Swedish owner was most friendly. I was certainly a fan of the bars of Buriram. Steve and Fah were also impressed. However, they were tired and had an early night while Gary and I further ventured to Speed Hall and its surroundings.

I certainly slept that night, which was just as well. We enjoyed a really good touristy Wednesday after a really good breakfast. Fah wanted to show us her home “village” of Nang Rong. It was as well we had Gary’s car!

That was another eye opener, as Nang Rong turned out to be a town of 21,000 population over thirty miles away! I love doing local cultural stuff, so it was right up my street. Fah seemed pretty chuffed that we’d made the effort as well.

We returned and had a proper look and walk around Khao Kradong Forest Park and the volcano on a blistering hot early afternoon. In the evening we visited The Swan Bar for another outstanding meal before returning to Paddys Irish Bar.

We had a good long drink. Unfortunately, my directional sense led to us getting lost and a little tiff which needed fixing with me apologising profusely. By then I’d licked my wounds in the Castleblack​ craft pub I’d wanted to take Steve to visit.

Perked up, I finished the evening in peak form in Tawandang, an entertainment hall, where I watched local acts and smiled with locals. It was the penultimate night of my trip after all. Steve and I returned on the flight to Bangkok the following morning with lots of memories of a brilliant few days on the road.

Buriram United 0 BG Pathum United 1 (Sunday 20th March 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 22,079) 

Another trip to a city that I thoroughly enjoy, this time with just Steve, after Fah fell ill a couple of days before departure. On this occasion we travelled by coach on a Nakhonchai Air service, and what a choice that proved to be.

The seats were comfortable, and similar to first class on a train. Each had a screen with a full entertainment package, and best of all, you could press a button at any time and have your back massaged. Plus, we got a voucher for food when we stopped. Thoroughly recommended. 

Our arrival was around thirty minutes late, not that we cared a jot. We walked to the Klim hotel and had a quick rinse before Gary was along with his good lady to drive us to a usual stop off for food and drinks before the match.

The stadium busy, with us finally finding seats right up near the back towards the goal line, even if the crowd figure was nowhere near the published attendance for the 7pm kickoff. It would prove to be another frustrating evening for Buriram. 

Unbelievably my record of seeing them lose every time I had visited the Chang Arena would continue, despite them requiring a solitary point to clinch the league title. They were undone by an excellent away team performance that thoroughly merited the win.

The only goal came in the thirteenth minute through a training ground corner kick move, as a hard low ball was dragged to near penalty spot from where Sarach Yooyen smashed home on the volley past Siwarak Tedsungnoen. 

The hosts huffed and puffed against a resolute BG side, who prevented the creation of any real clear-cut chances with an effort over the bar from Theerathon Bunmathan summing up their frustration prior to the same playing bending a free kick over.

Supachai Chaided blasted over on the half volley soon after the halftime interval when fed in. He really should have hit the target, but his effort typified the home performance, which wasn’t impressing my Buriram supporting friends.

Bunmathan was the pick of the home players, bending a low effort just wide and then threading in Jonathan Bolingi who was denied by the Pathum Thani defence. It looked like the home side had restored parity when Bolingi squared for Suphanat Mueanta to net, but the goal was chalked off by VAR for offside. 

The away team nearly extended the lead with a curling shot was tipped onto the post by Tedsungnoen before the stopped was called into action to save another attempt. Bolingi then fired wide when trying to curl an effort past goalie Kittipong Phuthawchueak.

BG should have doubled their advantage when a fine move from a free kick resulted in a low header being directed wide of the post, prior to them seeing the game out with relative ease. Buriram were still nine points ahead of BGPU with four games remaining.

After the game it took quite a while to get out of the busy and disorganized car park, from where we headed to AkriKa bar where the amiable host Geordie and a few regulars provided excellent company and some good local advice.

Urawa Red Diamonds 5 Shandong Taishan 0 (Monday 18th April 2022) AFC Champions League Group F (att: 321)

I had returned to Isan for a two day break, to catch some top quality action, with each of the Champions League groups being allocated one stadium to deal with all the rigmarole caused as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

As Kao Kradong Stadium in the city was also staging matches, it offered a great opportunity to double up matches, with the first game a couple of miles away kicking off at 6pm, prior to this match at 9pm. Plus, I hadn’t previously seen a game at the lesser of the two city stadiums.

Gary drove us from the first match, and after a beer and bite to eat, we found ourselves in the desolate car park. Our 100 Baht tickets offered the wrong instructions on which entrance to use, meaning a walk around the perimeter of the stadium. Once inside it was a case of pick any seats we wanted.

The crowd was sparse in such a huge arena, but the Japanese Diamond fans were while small in number, noisy and they had an impressive array of banners behind the goal. Their team proved to be far too strong for their Chinese opponents who were totally outclassed. 

It was one way traffic with the first ten minutes as Yuta Miyamoto and then Kaito Yasui both had efforts on goal, closely followed by attempts from Yoshio Koizumi and Kai Shibato. Urawa’s Takahiro Akimoto then saw his shot saved by busy Taishan keeper Cao Zheng.

The deadlock was finally broken in the twenty-sixth minute when Akimoto was on hand to side foot home. The same player was fouled in the box five minutes later. The referee pointed to the spot with the right foot of Alexander Scholz making no mistake to make it 2-0

 

Scholz then provided a cross for Tomoaki Okubo to be denied from the edge of the box by a Zheng save. The Chinese side must have been relieved to hear the half time whistle, but the lead was extended eight minutes after the restart.

A corner led to Takuya Iwanami setting up Alex Schalk to score from close range with his left peg. Diamonds took their foot off the pedal for a spell, with Baihelamu Abuduwaili going close for Shandong as he was supported by Chen Zhexuan following a fast break.

 

Fourteen minutes from time, a superb right footed free kick from Schalk found the top right hand corner of the net. Kasper Junker saw a low shot saved after being set up by fellow Diamonds sub, Yusuke Matsuo with less than ten minutes remaining.

Both players went on to go close, prior to the scoring being rounded off by Yasui as he fired home from outside the box. It was a comprehensive victory and impressive performance. We headed away to see Geordie at his bar before I enjoyed a good rest at the Klim Hotel.

Buriram United 2 Port 3 (Sunday 30^th April 2023) Thai League 1 (29,461)

There are days that stand out in your football supporting life, and this was most certainly one of them. I don’t suppose Lou Reid was thinking of me when he penned Perfect Day, but that’s what it turned out to be.

My wife Taew and I set out at just gone 8am from our Suan Kluai home in Sisaket Province, heading west, where we picked up Noon, the girlfriend of my mate Gary Griffiths who were meeting in Buriram. It was great to see them again for the first time since they attended our wedding.

On arrival at our destination, we left the car at the Sita Princess Hotel where we were staying for the night before Gary drove us to Chang Arena so that I could collect the tickets I’d bought online earlier in the week just in case it was a complete sell out.

We headed to Khao Kradong Forest Park and Volcano, with this being my wife’s first visit to the city. We enjoyed a nice walk and took photos before being reunited and then going for a nice lunch with Gary’s 92-year-old mum at the pleasant Book'n bed restaurant. After a quick siesta it was time to head to the action.

On this occasion my pal decided to park on the main road away from what would be a congested car park with such a big gate in attendance. This worked well as the away block was the nearest to it, meaning we didn’t need a specific meeting point at full time. There was an outdoor market with food and beers before we reached a pop-up bar yards from our gate, to enjoy a catch up with some expats I’d met on previous visits.

I was quick to point out that despite Buriram being champions eight times including the last two, I had seen them lose all 3 home games I had attended. Not that I gave Port much chance of extending that run.

We went our separate ways after beers, with our tickets being the usual ridiculous mark up as away supporters. 250 Baht was pushing it in my view, but it seems to be double that of the home fans everywhere. Port’s players gave the recrowned champions a guard of honour onto the pitch ahead of the 5.30pm kickoff.

Port, backed by about 300, who’d made the six-hour trip up from Bangkok, started reasonably well. Suphanat Mueanta saw a near post header from a corner go over for the hosts, before Thai international striker Supachai Chaided missed a chance when put clean through with a slide rule pass from Haris Vučkić.

A fantastic passing move from the visitors gave Negueba an opportunity but his tame side foot shot saw keeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen gather easily. The work involved strong play from forward Hamilton, described by some as the Brazilian Andy Carroll. Whatever, he was a handful throughout this encounter.

A Port counterattack from defending a deeply struck set piece saw Negueba play in Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom whose first touch was poor, and second awful as he wasted a one on one. Despite this, I was happy enough if the teams went down the tunnel level at the break, but no prizes for what happened next.

Some faffing about at the back between Tanaboon Kesarat and Bordin Phala allowed Suphanat Mueanta to nip in and supply Vučkić who smashed the ball into the roof of the net for the champions. He had to go off with a strain immediately after, but his work was done.

At the interval beers were available downstairs, but I didn’t bother. There was also a pile of Euro Cakes, a sweet version of a UK cake, which were given out free outside by sponsors, but not allowed within view of the pitch. My wife was sold not to eat the tubs of sweets in her bag either and I am being totally serious.

Goran Čaušić missed a good chance for the hosts when the ball was dragged back to him, but Port continued to play OK and equalized with a superb bending free kick of around 25 yards from Airton, the third of the Brazilians in the lineup.

Mueanta stung the hands of Port stopper Somporn Yos, with the follow up from Čaušić being easily saved. Just before the hour mark Port went ahead. Hamilton won a header which landed in the direction of Worachit Kanitsribampen, on loan from BG Pathum United, who scored.

Unbelievably the linesman's flag was up, but I said straightaway it was a goal because he had come from behind the defender. It was tighter than I initially thought, but VAR overruled the official and Port were 2-1 ahead. Within three minutes the scores were level as Chaided was gifted a free header from a corner.

The restart was delayed as Negueba was going spare, indicating to referee Sivakorn Pu-Udom that black Buriram sub, Jonathan Bolingi, was making monkey gestures in his direction. The ref clearly hadn’t a clue what had happened, booked Bolingi, and made the situation worse by also showing a yellow card to Hamilton for complaining.

From the kickoff United won possession and fed Mueanta wide. His low cross found Bolingi, who couldn’t get a firm connection and allowed Yos to save as the atmosphere increased. Ten minutes from time it got very loud in the away section as a build-up was half cleared but fell to Kanitsribampen who finished very calmly. I could hardly believe what I was seeing.

Suphanan Bureerat was denied by the legs of Tedsungnoen as the visitors threatened to extend their lead with another effort coming back off the underside of the bar, before Bolingi was fortunate not to receive a second yellow when twice in quick succession he used his hands to push over a Port player in the upper chest.

Naturally enough I was extremely happy, but disappointed also. I know it’s easier when your team wins but I thought the expat Buriram fans might have been slightly more magnanimous, putting the result down to their team being poor rather than offering any praise. Not for the first time, I must add.

We went on to the Astra Bar a rooftop area on top of the Alvarez Hotel where it was surreal to hear an expat having a go at the Thai staff for poor service while a fella from Newcastle “entertained” the meagre number of customers while singing and playing the keyboard. I did well not to let my laughter show, while my missus told the moaner to calm down in Thai. Hilarious.  

On to Afrika, a bar that doesn’t appear to have a clock to see Geordie, while I continued asking the locals if they enjoyed the game, followed by Tawandang nightclub until 3am where I was singing and dancing with my good lady and three young Port fans. Incredibly loud but fun, with live acts and a DJ. I should know better as a 57-year-old!

We returned home the following morning after entering a coma in the room at our hotel. A brilliant 24 hours, and I’d still seen Buriram lose every home game I’ve attended.

Buriram United 2 Chonburi 2 (Sunday 8th October 2023) Thai League 1 (att:16,813)

 

An incredible game of football which flowed from end to end throughout and provided a superb spectacle, at least a neutral, on a slick pitch in pouring rain which no doubt added to the excitement. The match was surrounded on either side by fun in wonderful company. A fantastic day all told.

It is thought by fans of other clubs that Buriram were carrying too much power, through their owner who does seem to carry a lot of influence. In the last few weeks, his side got huge rubs of the green from a referee astonishingly appointed despite being from Buriram and then the postponement of an away game to the top of the league side, when games are played in far worse conditions.

For all that, Buriram has the best stadium in the country, a fantastic recruitment record, huge support, with the side winning the domestic treble in the last two seasons. Think the Man United of Thailand, and you are not far off. They came into this match with games in hand on leaders Port, with opponents Chonburi in the drop zone after seven games.

I met up with Dale, my podcast co-host cheering for the visitors, and he genuinely feared a severe drubbing. After the game he was gutted that his side hadn’t taken all three points despite being reduced to ten when star man Lira was shown his second yellow card with half an hour remaining. 

Chonburi looked panicky in the early stages and conceded from a free header on five minutes, when Lonsana Doumbouya bulleted him the third of three consecutive corners. The away side were playing high risk if attractive football and were thankful their keeper Patrick Deyto pulled off a miraculous save from the scorer as the prophecy of my mate looked like it would play out.

Gradually Chonburi grew in confidence and kept playing in the same fashion and creating chances. Lira smashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar, while being dominant in the air and looking like a proper player throughout. Both sides were going from it and fashioning opportunities. Thai international striker Supachai Chaided should have scored from a header soon after the restart.

Lira’s bookable offences were both on the soft side, leading no doubt to more raising of eyebrows around the watching nation. Instead of being deflated his team found another gear and scored despite a VAR check for offside through Channarong Promsrikaew with twenty minutes to go to send the away fans wild with delight in the open corner, where my mate had been involved in a huge row with stewards who wanted to confiscate his brolly protecting him and his wife.

Chances were being missed by the hosts, before Supachai finished expertly five minutes later. Again, a VAR check, this time for a push, which went in Buriram’s favour. Surely that was that. I had said to my Buriram pal high up in the seats with us, that it could easily end 4 or 5-1 as the visitors were out on their feet. Deyto and his defence were performing miracles as play stretched and turned into something like a basketball match. 

However, there was a sting in the tail as the impressive Murillo turned his full back, cut inside and then unleashed a beauty into the far corner past Siwarak Tedsungnoen in the home net. Incredible stuff, as Buriram then did everything but snatch a winner.

To their credit, a feature at Thai games always sees the opposing fans applaud their opponents who go across to greet them. The reception offered to the Chonburi players was wonderful to witness, and well deserved. Indeed, the noise from the West Zone was impressive all evening. 

I was happy as earlier the woman on the ticket desk gave me 300 Baht change from 500 for my two tickets, and I was only eight numbers out from winning a bed mattress in the halftime draw. It might have been interesting carting that round town mind. 

As I said, a great day. My wife drove us through for lunch with friends at a stunning waterside restaurant, A fine Indian feed after the match at Afrika Bar, followed by a ridiculously large session on craft beer at a bar called Tiny Chick in town.

A video of the visit compiled for A Thai Football Podcast

Five fridges full of bottles and cans could be chosen from around the world, with a great concept. You pick them out of the fridge and pay at the counter and then sit down, with waitresses bringing you glasses. Live EPL on the big screen and a full house of happy young Thais, with the Everton supporting owner being very flexible with his hours of business. 

We returned home with two carrier bags full of empty cans, as my good lady hit upon the idea of fixing them to the garden fence and putting pebbles in them so they would rattle in the wind and scare the chickens away from the crops. She’s dafter than me. My hangover on the way home the following morning was not pretty.