A Thai Football Podcast

In our extended Songkran special, Tampines Rovers fan, Stanley, joins us from Osaka to give us a neutral report on Bangkok Utd's historic 1-0 win in the AFC2 Semi Final 1st leg; blogger, and all round good bloke, Antony Sutton, chats with Dale about the current state of Thai football, shares a few memories from the mid 2000s, explains why Dez Corkhill is the ideal soccer commentator, and why he has decided now is the right time to resurrect his legendary blog; debutant, Lewis, relieves the boredom of a holiday traffic jam to discuss the T1 relegation battle and whether or not his team, Muang Thong Utd, will avoid the drop*; Riza and Erik share their thoughts on Ratchaburi's 2-1 win in Lamphun and assess the Warriors' season overall; and finally, Jamie puts the celebrations on hold to tell us all about Buriram Utd's latest title triumph. Happy, and safe, Songkran everyone! *Interview recorded before Saturday's T1 fixtures Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Jakarta Casual blog link

Chris joins Dale to talk about Thailand's 2-1 midweek win against Turkmenistan, the joys of watching the national team, and his hopes for the Asian Cup in January and February. He also previews Port's upcoming League Cup semi final tie against Chonburi, and shares his thoughts on the Klong Toei club's season so far. Rob, with assistance from John, and Martin Peters (!), reports from Chiang Mai Utd's T2 clash with champions Rasisalai Utd, while Riza, Robert, and Bomb are on hand to give their thoughts on the top flight encounter between Ratchaburi and, champions elect, Buriram Utd. Futera Utd fan, Blue, drops in to summarise his club's historic first season in T3, the controversial decisions that have followed them around, and what they'll do better next year. Then the jet-setting Mr Bernard closes the show by flying down from the far north to visit a new ground and report on the Thonburi League Zone D match, Old Blood v CNT Annubis. That's dedication for you! Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Endless Journey YouTube link Thonburi League Official Website

Club owner Zen joins Dale to tell us the fascinating story of Bangkok based amateur side Ranger United FC, from their formation in Myanmar, the celebrities who've played for them, recruiting players from their opponents, staying loyal to their roots, and their plans for the future. Rob files his report on the crucial midweek T2 clash between Kasetsart and Sisaket Utd from a bar in Chiang Mai. Better make mine a large one! And with Thailand's crunch match against Turkmenistan on the horizon, former national team coach Steve Darby reveals how the squad will likely be preparing, the challenges facing Anthony Hudson (on and off the field), the club v country debate, why more Thai players should go overseas, and more. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Ranger United Facebook page link

Groundhopper Anders returns with more accounts from his football related adventures in Thailand. This time he has stories from his visits to VRN Muangnont (T3), Port (T1), Kasetsart (T2), Police Tero (T2), and Chamchuri Utd (T3). He also explains what inspires him to visit certain stadiums and bemoans cashless grounds. Over the course of a busy weekend in the capital, Rob reports from Pathum Thani University v North Bangkok University (T3), Minburi City v Bangkok AFC (Thonburi League), and the crucial T2 promotion clash between Police Tero and Sisaket Utd. He also grabs a few words with Minburi City team manager, and friend of the podcast, Bee, rounds up the second division's other results, and bursts into song! Tim shares his pre match, half time, and full time thoughts on Chonburi's 2-0 win against Sukhothai in the top flight. And, inspired by Prachuap John's recent anecdote of arriving late to a match, Nick joins Dale to tell two tales of woe travelling to and from fixtures involving his beloved Khon Kaen FC. Theme Tune: Lip Splint by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link

Jamie, Ian, Rich, and Riza bring us all the action and opinions from a busy week for Thai clubs in the AFC Champions League Elite and the AFC2. Port fan, Josh joins Dale for a chat about Anthony Hudson's Thailand squad for the upcoming crunch match against Turkmenistan, and explains what it's like being in a relationship with someone who supports his team's biggest rivals, Muang Thong Utd. Rob reports "live" from the T2 clash between Sisaket Utd and Chantaburi, and then, hot off the press, rounds up the weekend action from the second tier, including Rasisalai Utd's amazing promotion to the top flight. And finally, Arlene reports on Jude Soonsup-Bell's performance for Grimsby Town at a packed Boundary Park in Oldham. Surely the highlight of the lad's career. Theme Tune: Lip Splint by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Theythinkitsallrovers YouTube link

US based football fan Jaden joins Dale to discuss his love of Asian football and share his thoughts on Melbourne City 1-1 Buriram Utd in the 1st leg of the AFCCL Round of 16 tie. We also have AFC2 quarter final 1st leg match reports from Alan (Gamba Osaka 1-1 Ratchaburi) and Rich (Bangkok Utd 2-1 Tampines Rovers). John tells us the tale of a recent trip he made to watch his beloved Prachuap FC play in Nakhon Ratchasima. However, not everything went entirely to plan. Who did he meet along the way? Did he get there in time for kick off? How did he get home? And what is the plot twist that no-one could have predicted? Finally, Muang Thong Utd supporter Greg looks back on last week's derby with Port, recalls the fateful day at Supachalasai in 2010 when the fuse was lit on his club's fierce rivalry with the team from Klong Toei, gives his opinions on the Kirin's new coach, and appeals for help. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Greg on Twitter link

Rob calls in "live" from Sisaket Utd v Chainat Hornbill for an update on the exciting T2 promotion race, and to pick through the wreckage of last weekend's astonishing events at Rasisalai Utd v Pattaya Utd. Returning guest, Jenna brings us the latest news from Pattaya based amateur ladies team, Venus FC, and issues an appeal. In a heart warming and moving interview, Angela from Mercy International and House of Mercy Foundation tells Dale all about the special relationship their children have with Khon Kaen FC, the positive effect it has had on their lives and reveals a few behind the scenes secrets of being a team mascot. And finally, Riza reports from Ayutthya Utd's 1-0 win against Ratchaburi in the FA Cup quarter final. Theme Tune: Lip Splint by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link    

Port fan, Michael joins Dale to talk about his love for the club, his passion for Thai football, the joys of the PAT Sandpit, travelling to away matches, and much more. Riza and Persibverse share their first hand accounts on the controversial AFC2 second leg tie involving Persib and Ratchaburi. We also look deeply into Indonesian fan culture, how to deal with violence at matches, online racism, and other topics arising from the post match chaos. Back in T2, Michael (a different one!) reports from Pattaya Utd's midweek 1-1 draw with Nakhon Pathom Utd, and Rob calls us in disbelief after witnessing the madness during, and after, Sunday's clash between Rasisalai Utd and Pattaya Utd. Meanwhile, in the top flight, John and Dale chew over Prachuap's 2-0 victory over Rayong and what the rest of the season might have in store for the Killer Wasps. And Tobi pops in to tell us all about 'Gotifo', his new app for football fans and talks Dale through the very simple download process. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Football Fans Asia YouTube link Gotifo Website link    

Experienced groundhopper, Anders joins us from his home in Norway to tell us all about his recent trip to watch a few matches in Thailand. Including visits to Port, Muang Thong Utd, and BG Pathum Utd. Neal (Ratchaburi) and Persibverse (Persib) share their thoughts on last week's AFC2 1st leg round of 16 match - a 3-0 win for the Thai team - and tell us why the tie isn't yet over despite the impressive home win. Jamie chats to Dale about Buriram Utd's relentless march to the T1 title, their AFC CL ambitions, the form of Neil Etheridge, Scooby Doo, and the lads also offer some car parking tips. Riza reports from Ratchaburi 1-1 Prachuap (T1), Bill provides a couple of unexpected twists in his summary of Sukhothai's 1-1 draw with Ayuthhya Utd (T1), and Rob returns with his Roving Report from the second tier clash between Rasisalai Utd and Songkhla. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link

Keeping his promise, Ian rejoins Dale to report on the progress - or otherwise -  of the Singaporean players in the Thai League, the benefits to the Singapore national team, and ponder on Muang Thong Utd's poor form. First time guest, Andrew, pops in to discuss all things Kanchanaburi Power related. Including, Andros Townsend, the perils of being over optimistic, the record number of red cards, avoiding relegation, and more. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Kanchanaburi Power Football Fans Facebook link  

Padriew City manager, Prin, joins Dale to talk about watching Coventry City, the differences between English fan culture and Thai fan culture, the long term plans for his club, the standard of officiating in T3, and more. Rich pops in to share his thoughts on the Shopee Cup match between Tampines Rovers and Buriram Utd, half and half scarves, half and half shirts, football kits made from pillowcases, and other topics. Dale watches the T3 North East clash between Khon Kaen and Surin City, discusses club mergers, and calms Nick down with a bag of liquorice comforts. Rob reports from Sisaket Utd 2-0 Chiang Rai Utd (T2), and Riza rounds up the action as Ratchaburi beat Muang Thong Utd 3-2 in T1. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link They Think It's All Rovers YouTube link & Instagram Link

On this week's episode of A Thai Football Podcast: Dale watches four matches in five days (League Cup: Khon Kaen Utd v Bangkok Utd; T2 Nongbua Pitchaya v Chantaburi; T2 Khon Kaen Utd v Sisaket Utd; T1 Nakhon Ratchasima v Kanchanaburi) Phang Nga Utd chairman, Russ Horsley shares his vision for the new club and reveals what part Peter Andre and Elton John play in his plans. Tashkent based football fan, Donat, defies the adverse weather conditions to talk about his first experiences of going to a match in Thailand. And Clare reports on the toilet facilities at BG Stadium. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Dale The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link

PART ONE Kevin joins us to talk about the Filipino Football Community Thailand, the growing number of Filipino players in the Thai League, and why he was at Chonburi Stadium on Saturday; Tim reports on Chonburi 1-0 Lamphun Warriors and shares his thoughts on the VAR decision that chalked off a goal for the visitors; Riza is happy with the points, but not the performance, as Ratchaburi scrape past T1 basement dwellers Nakhon Ratchasima, 1-0; and Bill's prose comes to the rescue, as our resident cross between Ivor Cutler and Ernest Hemingway produces an entertaining account of the drab 0-0 draw between Sukhothai and Prachuap. PART TWO Join Dale & Nui as they take a road trip from rural Khon Kaen to the bright lights of Sisaket, to watch the big T2 derby between Sisaket Utd and Rasisalai Utd. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Filipino Football Community Thailand Facebook page link

Rob joins Dale to discuss the evolution of Thai football stadiums, how teams benefit - or not - from moving grounds, and to share his top tips for the rest of the season; a moribund Lyle takes a break from dog sitting to update us on the situation at Nakhon Pathom Utd; Dewa drops in to tell us all about his new Twitter account Asian Football Zone, his plans for the future, and to ask a few questions about Thai football; Riza and Robert submit their match report from Ratchaburi 1-0 Chonburi; and Josh picks out the most eye catching transfers so far in this window, and shares his first experience of watching a T2 match, a thrilling 2-2 draw between Pattaya Utd and Chantaburi. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link Asian Football Zone Twitter link

Using Kevin's recent university thesis as a starting point, Dale and Stephen join the author to discuss the current state of Thai football, its perception amongst local fans, what clubs, the FA, and the league can do to attract more people to matches, and various ways to improve the overall experience; we have reports from three of last weekend's League Cup ties - Chonburi fan, Tim goes "undercover" at Pattaya Utd v Bangkok Utd and is surprised at what he sees and hears, Riza travels all the way down to Pattani to watch Ratchaburi at the Rainbow Stadium, and a tired and emotional Dom is on hand to witness Port put their Chainat hoodoo to bed; finally  Muang Thong Utd fans Gian and Greg share their thoughts on Mario Ivankovic, the Kirins' new coach. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link

Podcast debutant, Josh, joins us to review Port's overall first leg performance, share his tips on preserving match worn shirts, how he broke the story of the recent controversial FA Cup tie at PAT Stadium (with the help of Dom's "Match That Never Was" report), his opinions on the current state of T1, and more; Bill is back, with his thoughts on Sukhothai's 0-1 Christmas Eve defeat against runaway leaders Buriram Utd; and Rob pops by to look back at the season so far in T2, how to make the top flight more competitive, and face the music after his "impartial" Buriram Utd v Port report last week. He also gives us an update on his recent charity cycle ride. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link

Tampines Rovers fan, Rich, joins Dale to talk about his experiences of watching Port and Muang Thong Utd during his time working in Thailand, his recent visit to BG Stadium, his thoughts on Singaporean teams joining the Thai League, 12 year olds standing on buckets, and more; Blue drops by to summarise Futera Utd's first leg in T3, the pride he feels being part of a community club, and dealing with tragedy; long time Thai football (or should that be fussball) fan, Sven, hops on board to reminisce about his early memories of watching the local game, his souvenir collection, drinking beer with ex Army Utd, Suphanburi, Nakorn Ratchasima, Navy, and Sisaket striker, Bjorn Lindemann, and what he's up to now; and finally, a very happy Riza reports from the midweek clash between Rayong and Ratchaburi. Merry Christmas! Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link They Think It's All Rovers: Instagram & YouTube

Michael joins Dale to give his thoughts on Pattaya Utd's first leg performance, their lack of luck, T2 officiating, and more; J Soccer Magazine's Alan Gibson reports from the AFC CL2 final group match between Gamba Osaka and Ratchaburi; Antony Sutton (aka Jakarta Casual) pops in to reminisce about two "El Classico" matches from 2009 & 2011, why the fixture has lost its sheen, Thai football rivalries, the current state of the local game, and a few other topics, Rob, with the help of a few friends, files his Roving Report from the feisty top of the table T1 clash featuring Buriram Utd and Port; and we appeal for your help on behalf of Stephen Romary. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco Video of Rob's Charity Bike Ride - Watch on YouTube Donate Here: https://gofund.me/51c2433ee Thai League Football Perceptions Survey - Link to form

Ric, Brian, and Ernest join Dale to discuss the midweek Shopee Cup matches involving Bangkok Utd, Lion City Sailors, BG Pathum Utd, and Tampines Rovers, the benefits and future of the much maligned tournament, Thai league clubs' merchandise, the increasing number of foreigners supporting ASEAN teams, the universal appeal of football, and more; and Lyle interviews Thai football legend, and Chonburi midfielder, Leslie Ablorh, about leaving home in Ghana as a teenager, his subsequent 17 year career in Thailand, what his mum thinks of him, his plans for the future, plus lots of other interesting anecdotes from his fascinating life. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link 

Rob reports "live" from the T2 clash between Rasisalai Utd and Kasetsart University; Riza is cock-a-hoop with Ratchaburi's AFC CL2 win and qualification for the next round; Tim is not so cock-a-hoop with Chonburi's dismal performance in Rayong, but he is impressed with the improvements to the stadium; Russ is even less cock-a-hoop than Tim, as he joins Dale to discuss the Swatcat's 7 (Seven) - 0 drubbing against Uthai Thani, and predicts their imminent decline; Jamie orders a 7-11 toasted sandwich, then chews over that, Buriram Utd's 2-0 win over Ratchaburi, the team's AFC CL Elite campaign, the sparse crowds at continental matches, and more; and we have the long awaited return of the worryingly popular 'Toilet Watch' feature, from Rayong Stadium. Theme Tune: 'Lip Splint' by American TV Cops Photo: Marco The Thai Adventures of Rob B! YouTube link