A good day out, including shopping, golf, pizza, beer, and friendships old and new being acquainted. A big crowd and all the razzamatazz associated with such days. Not hugely my scene, but nice to celebrate. Interesting times ahead next season.
Then we had the presentation ceremony, which ran surprisingly efficiently, as a cheque for 5 million THB (£115,550) was handed over, as well as the medals and the Thai League 2 trophy, greeted by fireworks.
Once Wichit scored after the break, there was only going to be one result. He doubled the lead before the ref went to the VAR monitor to award a penalty. The player who was collided with, Alberto Gouvea, picked himself up to round things off in fine style.
Rasisalai United 3 Mahasarakham SBT 0
Thai League 2
👨👨👧👧 4,132 🎟️ 60 THB (£1.40)
A great occasion at the SAT Stadium in Sisaket, and what turned into a simple win once Marasarkham gave their best efforts with a storm at their backs in the first half.
The progress of Rasisalai United is nothing short of remarkable. Just 1 year ago they were in the T3 playoffs. Now they’re Thai League 2 champions.
Enjoy a flashback via my video.
youtube.com/watch?v=_cvR...
Tero Sasana were Thai champs. Sven-Göran Eriksson had a short spell as technical director. As Police Tero, they are pushing for promotion to the top-flight in their new home stadium.
Their history, my many visits, and see images via the link.
thaifootballfever.blogspot.com/2024/10/poli...
Only one place to be today.
We were there among a crowd of just 69 on a Wednesday afternoon, before many of us left at halftime for the Sisaket United game a mile or so away.
Now Rasisalai are Thai League 2 champions and play in the top tier next season. Incredible.
Want to be entertained for an hour or two and be inspired to book a holiday or get out and about while living in Thailand?
Click here after watching the intro:
youtube.com/@rob_a_b?si=...
#travelvlog #visitthailand #livinginthailand
In Bangkok over the weekend?
Want some ideas to fill in your time?
Watch this video. Great ideas to suit all budgets. Including a posh rooftop bar!
#bangkok #thailand
youtu.be/hU1eRUdhqZs?...
Chiangmai United, with financial backing have spent the last few years heading neighbours Chiangmai FC, despite poorer support and a nomadic existence using different venues around the province.
My visit to their soulless bowl and images via the link.
thaifootballfever.blogspot.com/2024/10/chia...
Bangkok AFC is another club that formed an adult football side from their academy, competing in the amateur Thonburi League, playing home games at a pleasant venue close to the centre of BKK.
Images along with a write-up about my visit via the link.
thaifootballfever.blogspot.com/2026/04/bang...
Old Blood FC is an adult football side formed from the club’s academy. Based in NE Bangkok, they are aiming for promotion to Thai League 3 from the Semi-Pro League.
Read all about them and my visit by clicking on the link.
thaifootballfever.blogspot.com/2026/04/old-...
My visit to a Thai League 3 game and check on the progress of PTU Pathumthani and their remote ground.
The things we groundhoppers get up to so we can collect another new tick!
thaifootballfever.blogspot.com/2024/10/ptu-...
Ever wondered how fan experiences vary from European to Thai football fans? From 17:01 in this video you get a true look being among perhaps the most passionate away supporters in the country.
youtu.be/9K3bThXXwF0?...
#awaydays #ultras #footballpassion
West Essex FC, formed in 1989, is a non-league club who have reached the 9th tier of English football in the Essex Senior League, having previously been tenants to Barking FC and now Walthamstow FC. Read all about them and my visit via the link below.
worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/2020/12/west...
My latest video, covering a football weekend in Bangkok with three matches at different levels, including an unforgettable experience as Sisaket United supporters invaded a stadium, is available by clicking on the image.
youtu.be/9K3bThXXwF0?...
Fans of West Ham United are ‘enjoying’ another turbulent season. Read about my experiences at Upton Park and the London Stadium, along with the club lowdown and lots of images via the link to my blog.
worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/2009/06/west...
The world’s in a state right now. Thankfully, you can lift the gloom by getting hold of my book and laughing yourself senseless via the link below.
It sold well in Chiang Mai last week, but if you think it’s not good, you can ease the fuel crisis, as it burns well.
amzn.eu/d/04M2tE5J
@westfield-fc.bsky.social live in the shadow of near neighbours Woking FC but are also doing rather well at their level of non-league, with a fine little ground of their own.
The usual history, images and details of my visit via the link.
worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/2012/07/west...
A pleasure to have contributed as ever.
From the Thailand national team to the Thonburi League Zone D, and everything in-between. Here's 'Desperados, Hardcore, and Students', the brand new episode of A Thai Football Podcast dalefarrington.podbean.com/e/131-desper...
WHC Wezep is a club unlikely to register with too many readers, but the small town Dutch club near Zwolle offered me a fine bolthole a few years ago to enjoy a match & fried fish was the offering from the snack bar.
Read all about them via the link.
worldgroundhoptwo.blogspot.com/2014/01/whc-...
A wonderful experience as a visitor. Small covered seating areas to watch from, a warm welcome, a pitch-side open-fronted restaurant and bar, a TV showing the previous night’s FA Cup, plus it has changing rooms at a venue close to the people it serves. I would most certainly return.
Old Blood is a football academy focused on its local community in NW Bangkok. They seem to have got it right, with their senior team going top of their group in the amateur competition, playing good football against a decent away side.
Old Blood FC 3 CNT Anubis 1
Thonburi League
👨👨👧👧 c25 🎟️Free
Despite nursing a horrific hangover, I wasn’t going to miss out. My luck was in. Just one match in the league all weekend, and it was at a ground I’d not previously visited. Even better, it was just a ten-minute cab ride away.
A poor spectator experience. 90% of fans were on the open side. Tickets only sold at the back of the main stand. No food or drink concessions on our side either, with stewarding taking me back to England, such was their lack of gumption. Not sure I’d bother returning.
Rasi were crowned champions on Friday night after the 0-0 draw between Pattani and Sisaket United and went on to beat a reasonable home side, with goals from Wichit and Nattapon, with Woogeun Jeong scoring a penalty in between them.
Chiangmai United 1 Rasisalai United 2
Thai League 2
👨👨👧👧 591 🎟️150 THB
Exit stage left after MC duties at the cricket, & in the car kindly lent to us for the 50 min drive to the Rajabhat University Stadium in Mae Rim. Never has the term “white elephant” been more apt.
A huge honour to have played a part in this amazing event.
