NEW!! My Favourite Match by Jake: 2021

My Favourite Match

by Jake @LamphunFanatic1

AIS Regional League Division 2 Northern Zone

Chiang Mai FC vs Lamphun Warriors

Wednesday 27th November 2013

Approximate attendance: 9,000

I first got into Thai football back in 2012. At the time, Chiang Mai’s best team was Chiang Mai FC who were playing in the third tier of Thai football. I wasn’t much of a regular, but my father was over following the birth of my daughter and I thought I’d take him to experience a Lanna Derby, Chiang Mai FC vs Lamphun Warriors. Lamphun is a small town about 20km south of Chiang Mai and home to my wife. A few months later it was to become my home town and Lamphun Warriors were to become my Thai team of choice. In March 2013, however, I was firmly on the Chiang Mai side of the derby.

We headed off towards the 700 Year Stadium with my good friend Brian. Disaster struck about halfway to the stadium, a rear puncture. My father jumped on the back of Brian’s bike whilst I tried to get the puncture repaired. By the time I’d arrived at the stadium, my father was calming his nerves on his second beer. He was adamant that I was never to get onto the back of Brian’s bike. He was right, Brian couldn’t, and still can’t, ride. He’d crashed over the curb and come down in the dirt, with my Dad jumping off. But they’d managed to get tickets and the all important beers.The 700 Year Stadium was packed. At the time, Chiang Mai people were really into their local team and it was tough finding somewhere to sit with about 9000 packed in. In the following few years, support has not been so great and I doubt they’ve had an attendance that large again.

Chiang Mai FC captain Anecha Masamak returned from suspension, powerful winger Ousamane Toure was one of Chiang Mai’s best players and Angelo Machuca had been dictating play from the centre of the field. Lamphun’s lineup included former Chiang Mai players Victor Mensah and Rungrat Phumjantuek. They were managed by former Chiang Mai FC assistant manager Kriangkrai Petkul. This was gearing up to be a heated Lanna Derby. And it didn’t disappoint. 

We were on the open concrete slabs and for the first half we sat behind the goal Chiang Mai were attacking. From the first whistle, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a game played by gentlemen. The stadium was lit up with flares in the colours of both teams. The aggression on the pitch was persistent, elbows flying in, studs up, seemingly deliberately. The referee didn’t seem too fussed, both teams went in at half time with a full complement of players, at 0-0.

Second half we’d had a few more important beers and moved around to a more central seating position. It didn’t take long for the aggression to pick up again and a mass brawl broke out early in the second half. Players were chasing each other around the pitch, rugby tackles, Muay Thai and Lamphun player Nopporn Serbpru saw red, though there’s no doubt the referee could have dismissed multiple players. As Nopporn walked off, most of the crowd stood up chanting “Monitor Lizard” at him, I’m sure most readers will know the insult, one best avoided at all costs! This was all quite a contrast to the polite applause and wais all around I’d previously experienced, the atmosphere is what made this game memorable, it was on edge throughout.

Chiang Mai FC were in control from there on in and scored the winner when Chatchai Nakwichit. After all the aggression, the final whistle blew and the Lamphun players came around and thanked the crowd, who in turn stood up and applauded them off the pitch. I think this is the reason it is then safe to leave a Thai football match, the end of game protocol brings everyone back to being at peace with each other.

This was to be the final match I watched as a Chiang Mai FC supporter. I moved down the road to Lamphun in June 2013 and am now, even living in Bangkok, a Lamphun Warriors man. Hopefully we will soon be meeting Chiang Mai FC again. Lamphun Warriors are shortly to begin their Play Off campaign which you’ll be able to stream live through their Facebook page.