New! Mythbuster - Ratchaburi FC: 2013

Ratchaburi Are A Solid Top Flight Team

Are they though? Or are they just managing to do enough to stay up each year?  Since getting promoted at the end of the 2012 season, they have never finished higher than 4th, and their last five campaigns have seen them come in 6th, 12th, 8th, 8th and 12th respectively. Hardly setting the world alight. If anything, it's a worrying downward trend. Away from the bread and butter of the TPL, they do seem to fare well in the cup competitions. They've reached the FA Cup semi finals three times (including 2016, when the tournament was abandoned before the ties were played, due to the death of the king, and are in the last four this year), were losing finalists in 2019, and have stalled twice at the penultimate stage in the League Cup, since playing in a farcical final in 2012. Their squad at the time included many loanees from their opponents, Buriram Utd, who weren't allowed to play so they turned up with the bare 11 and got thumped 4-1.  But that's as good as it gets...so far.

Ratchaburi Stadium Is The Best Stadium In Thailand

Many of us who have visited 'Dragon Solar Park' agree that it is almost everything you look for as an away fan. The dragon motif is an impressive sight and the large, easy to access car park is great for pre and post match tailgate parties. Where to buy tickets is clear and easy, there's a decent selection of food on offer, and the covered away end (yes, you read that right) has a decent view - which is slightly obscured by a large segregation fence the further back you sit - not just of the pitch, but of the glorious sunsets. Oh, and they have some of the cleanest toilets in the football league too. The one thing that really lets it down for those visiting supporters without their own transport is that long, dark and dangerous road back into town. With nothing in the way of public transport options, you have to hang around in the aforementioned big car park and hope a kindly home fan can give you a lift back to civilisation. But - even if they do cage us in at half time - the consensus seems to be, it's a super ground. If not the best.

There Isn't A Decent Drinking Option In The City

At first glance, Ratchaburi appears to be your typical Thai provincial town, where the pace of life is slow, nothing much goes on and the streets are deserted after 8:00pm. And largely, this is true. But, if you are prepared to look hard enough, there are treasures to be found. The Honeymoon Bar Rooftop & Secret Space might be a bit of a mouthful, but it's a hip happening joint that is well worth checking out. It's run by Ratchaburi FC fans too and they always extend a warm welcome to visiting supporters. Another venue to try is Tapster - a craft beer bar that has been rumoured to arrange taxis to the ground for away fans. There may well be others that you know of, but we don't. Letters to the usual address, please.

Ratchaburi Are Not Disliked By Anyone

I think it's fair to say that Ratchaburi don't quite attract the same amount of ire from fans of other clubs that Buriram Utd, Muang Thong Utd and Thai Port do. They just tend to muddle along, upsetting no-one and not making any enemies. However, there is a section of the Chonburi support that has never  forgiven them - and will never forgive them - for "Bottle of Water Gate". It really still rankles how their "manager" and his goons behaved that day and will always add a touch of edginess to any fixture between the two sides, especially at their place. And the only other reason people seem to dislike them is for bringing Heberty to Thailand. Now there's someone who always provokes a reaction!

Ratchaburi Sack Far Too Many Coaches

Ratchaburi are now on their fifteenth (fifteenth!) coach since the start of the 2018 season. Even by Thai standards, that is a lot. A heck of a lot. The main reason for the heavy turnover appears to be the "manager" (him again!). I kinda get the impression that he's not the easiest person to get along with. Still, the current incumbent, Xavi Moro, has been in the job since July, 2022 - that's a whopping nine months. He must be due a gold watch anytime soon. I wonder what his secret is? Or maybe he knows his boss's secret... Whatever the reason for his (relatively) long service, it could be that stability is the way forward for the Dragons.

Ratchaburi Get Decent Crowds

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and Thai league average attendance statistics. The latter always skewered by Buriram Utd's figures being included. So, you can take the following figures with a pinch of salt:

Ratchaburi FC Average Attendances 2018-2023 

(TPL average in brackets)

2018: 3,568 (4,466)

2019: 4,876 (5,699)

20/21: 3,622 (3,310)

21/22: 1,817 (2,481)

22/23: 3,610 (4,371)

As you can see, only once in the past five years has their average been higher than the overall one and in the other seasons, they've fallen a long way short. Of course, there are other factors to take into account - COVID affected seasons and not always accurately reported crowd numbers etc - but it does look like Ratchaburi are struggling to attract fans to matches. I'm sure their owners would be expecting, and hoping for, larger numbers in the ground. Maybe they could invite all their ex-coaches to games in an effort to swell attendances?

With thanks to Kenny, Phil, Rob and Jamie