Over the last few seasons the CMFCEnglish facebook page has made predictions for a new season of Thai League 2 football. This always includes disclaimers such as anything and everything could change in the mid-season transfer window and that there can still be changes between the time of writing and when the summer transfer window closes.
And there have been many changes in this final week leading up to the new season that have made parts of our last podcast quickly obsolete. Sorry.
It is also harder, and rather poignant, to write about the new season when ChiangMaiFC has been removed from the League for failing to meet Licensing requirements – despite our fourth place finish last season.
In reality it was less about not meeting licensing requirements and more about our abject failure to pay players, staff and suppliers. The club’s reputation has been massively damaged by one man. The rebuilding process must start this season.
One thing that did strike me writing this is how few new foreign players are coming to T2. There are plenty that move between clubs – presumably for better money – but few new faces.
So Simon, Phil and I compared notes on our podcast last week: the podcast is in two parts and you can listen on Spotify.
Part One – from Ayutthaya to Chonburi. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4CyQ8v1aKdIwEC37VrXkTf?si=1d830437111f4c52
Part Two – from Kanchanaburi to Trat https://open.spotify.com/episode/07amkdf0kD1BMaX8Wbjcat?si=771d1f2ed0cd4b6c
The T2 changes from last season:
Clubs that have left T2
Promoted to T1: Nakhon Ratchasima, Nongbua Pitchaya and Rayong FC
Relegated to T3: Krabi, Customs United and Chiang Mai FC
Clubs that have joined T2
Relegated from T1: Police Tero, Chonburi FC, Trat FC.
Promoted from T3: Sisaket United, Mahasarakham SBT and Bangkok FC
In 2023/4 there were two outstanding teams – Nongbua Pitchaya and Nakhon Ratchasima; both returning to T1 after just one season in T2 and finishing with 72 and 73 points respectively. Rayong were a distant third place with 60 points.
The previous season in a much closer race Nakhon Pathom and Trat both finished with sixty points and Uthai Thani were third with 59 points.
Rayong and Uthai Thani both secured their place in T1 from the T2 playoffs.
Will 2024-2025 produce one or two teams to dominate the League or will it be the very close contest of two season’s ago?
So here in alphabetical order are our predictions.
Ayutthaya United.
Still wedded to Bangkok United, Ayutthaya have retained Danny Invincibile as Head Coach and made at this stage a limited number of new hires.
Wellington Priori is one of three players to arrive from Police Tero; Phodchara Chainarong has joined from Loei – the young forward was previously with Port FC.
Kiwara Miyazaki is a left sided midfielder who played for Shibuya City.
Young players added to the squad include Nethithorn Kaewcharoen, a winger, joined this week from Chiang Mai United; Jirawat Janpong a full-back from Trat; Natthaphon Worasut a midfielder from Nahon Pathom and just this morning defender Pantakan Kasemkulwilai.
Underwhelming would be my first reaction as an Ayutthaya fan.
Bangkok FC.
Newly promoted from T3 Bangkok FC’s most striking new hire is the arrival of Charyl Chappuis, author and footballer, who played last season with Chiang Mai FC.
Up front Simon Dia returns to Thailand from Olympic Charlerois.
Apisit Khuankwai is a Centre-Back who has joined from the Swatcats. Amornthep Muandee a bright, fast, young centre forward from Chiang Mai FC who now has a chance to turn his potential into goals.
Chaowasit Sapysakunphon, attacking midfield, and Piyarat Lajungreed, left-back, both bring T1 experience from Sukhothai.
As a team it is likely to be well-organised and well-supported – but the pre-season hype feels premature for a team that may need a season to find its feet in T2.
In other Bangkok FC news the club has confirmed their temporary move to Chalem 72 stadium, Minburi for at least the first leg of the season. It seems a bit late to be making changes of this magnitude. The fans that supported Bangkok FC through their T3 seasons are entitled to be upset.
Chainat Hornbill FC
A visit to Chainat is always a pleasure. A T1 football stadium; with, in previous seasons, some of the best fan catering in the League. Strawberries anyone?
But cost cutting became too apparent last season; even the cheerleaders were gone. A decent second half of the season ensured their survival in T2 but pre-season recruitment, mostly from T3, suggests another really difficult season.
Two of their foreign imports to date are both Cameroonian. The left winger Emmanuel Mbargo – last seen in the Cambodian League, together with Joshua Mardochée who Chiang Mai fans will remember seeing in the Ranong mudbath.
This morning Chainat announced the addition of Yoo Yong-Jae a(nother) South Korean centre back from Pyeongtaek Citizen in Korean K4 league and a 21 year old Brazilian forward, Leonardo Pimentel, from the junior side at Brazil’s Oeste FC.
It is a very young squad; although the late signing of the almost veteran Kongnateechai Boonma will increase the average age. Kongnateechai once of CMFC had signed for Kanchanaburi who it appears had a late change of heart.
It is hard to find anyone who thinks Chainat can realistically stay in T2.
Chanthaburi FC
The White Rabbits of Chanthaburi are ambitious; in their sophomore season in T2 they have acquired some twenty new players and started much needed work on stadium renovations including a new East stand. They will be expecting at least a play-off place this season and open their campaign with a challenging local derby away at Trat.
This army of new hires includes a number of friends of our podcast and ex ChiangMai FC players:
Tiago Chulapa, Centre-Forward from Rayong; he has plenty of goals left in him.
Prakit Deeprom, Central Midfield from NakhonSi Utd.
Clyde O’Connell, Centre-Back, from Chainat Hornbill – he will relish the challenge of fighting for a promotion place.
Jesse Ata Inia, Left Winger from Tonga via, most recently, Phrae United – if he is wise he will learn so much from Tiago Chulapa this season.
Pongrawit Jantawong, Central Midfield from BGPU after a loan spell at Chiang Mai FC.
Somkid Chamnarnsilp, Right Winger from Sukhothai.
Chaloempat Ploywanrattana, Goalkeeper from Khon Kaen United.
Nattapoom Maya, Right Winger, from NakhonSi Utd.
Kritsada Sriwanit Right Winger from Samut Prakan City.
And many more – keeping a big squad happy will always be a challenge. Managing long distance travel can be an issue. But this squad reflects the owner’s ambitions.
Chiang Mai United
Chiang Mai United surprised many when the club appointed Venezuelan Jeffrén Isaac Suárez Bermúdez as the new head coach. Jeffren played for CMU last season and was previously a Spanish Under 21 and Venezuelan international.
There are goals to come from the new players;
Akarawin Sawasdee, Centre-Forward from Chiang Mai FC – highly rated by those who played with him last season.
Nurul Sriyankem, Right Winger from Port FC
Varintorn Watcharapringam, Left Winger from Customs United
Kiadtisak Nantavichianrit, a young and very promising attacking right-back from Chiang Mai FC.
Carlos Neto, a powerful 28 year old Brazilian Centre-Forward last playing in the Czech Leagues with SC Znojmo
Ryo Shinzato, Centre-Back previously played for Omiya Ardija in the Japanese J2 League.
Bukkoree Lemdee, a Right-Back on loan from Chonburi FC
Elson Hooi Right Winger born in Curacao and has played most of his football in the Dutch second tier.
Chiang Mai United have also extended the contract of ex CMFC favorite Tossaphol Chomchon.
Chiang Mai United may offer more in offense than defense – but that should make their games fun to watch. They open their season with a northern derby away at Phrae United.
Chonburi FC
Relegated from T1, to the surprise of everyone other maybe than the club’s own supporters, Chonburi has made some strong signings over the summer and they are most people’s favorites for an early return to the Revo League.
After five years in T1 the Brazilian forward Derley, drops down to T2 where defenders will be under pressure to manage him.
Charlie Clough, centre back, has also dropped down a League from Port FC.
Noppakun Kadtoon, Goalkeeper, and born in Chiang Mai, has made the move up the road from Rayong FC.
Netipong Sanmahung another ex ChiangMai FC alumni from 2019 has made the move from NakhonSi United.
Two players return to Chonburi from time in exile at Samut Prakan City – Thanachai Nathanakool and Pacharaphol Lekkun.
One player that should be interesting to watch Is the young Malaysian/Scottish centre forward Fergus Tierney. Currently a Malaysian under 23 international he has moved from Johor Darul Ta’zim II.
The new Chonburi coach Pipob On-mo previously played at Chonburi and last season took Rayong into T1.
All three of us independently tipped Chonburi to be promoted as champions.
Kanchanaburi Power
A name change and new sponsors are unlikely to fire-up a side who look a shadow of the team that started so well last season with Batista and Jardel up front before their mid season move to Nongbua Pitchaya.
New recruits include Gustavinho from Suphanburi, Christian Alex from Pattaya and Than Paing from Chiang Mai United.
And there really is little more that can be said.
I like Kanchanaburi – but again their supporters much be concerned as their team embarks on a new season
Kasetsart FC.
The first question to ask here is how are this underperforming and poorly supported club still in the League.
The second question is how are they funding the player spending spree that they have embarked on for the new season.
Last season, with some six games to go, Kasetsart declared their intention to leave the league – creating some turmoil about how to treat the results of games that they had already played.
Cap-in-hand Kasetsart sought help from the League and the Thai FA. Finishing in 16th place and relegated Kasetsart were reprieved when ChiangMai FC were removed from T2.
A substantial loan appears to have cleared last season’s debts and to have left enough money to invest in new staff and a new squad littered with glamourous names.
Coach Santi Chaiyapruak arrived from spending last season managing Trat’s relegation.
His squad includes centre halfs, Kazumi Murakami from North Bangkok University and Brinner from Uthai Thani; Sawawut Koedsri,, Seksit Srithai, Suchanon Malison, Panyawat Nisangram a nd Jakkapan Pornsai have all joined from Chiang Mai FC. Suchanon could score plenty of goals for his new club.
A gaggle of left wingers includes Steeven Langil once of Khon Kaen United and Uthai Thani, Ryosuke Nagasawa who last played in Indonesia, and Pardsakon Sripong from Chiang Rai United. They will support a couple of centre forwards, Adisak Kraisorn (Bangkok United) and Ricardo Pires (Kanchanaburi).
This wage bill cannot be sustainable….maybe the aim is build a points bank by mid-season and then to dramatically reduce the wage bill.
For now, as neutrals, let’s see if Kasetsart can, for the first time in recent memory, be fun to watch.
Lampang FC.
Lampang continue to be supported by Nongbua Pitchaya and Nongbua have sent their assistant manager from last season as the new Lampang head coach – Witthaya Dongya.
In come the centre half, Alex Flavio and the centre forward Judivan – both from Pattaya; both were impressive last season. Kristofer Reyes also a centre half joins from Krabi.
A collection of other arrivals some from T3 and also include a number of players from Pitchaya Bundit College – part of the Nongbua PItchaya set up.
It is very hard to get excited about this club and squad. Sorry.
Mahasarakham SBT.
My fondness for Mahasarakham has evaporated rather with the news that the away fans zone has been moved from the concrete stand on the east touchline to a new temporary stand behind a corner flag.
That is a genuine shame for one of the leagues more welcoming clubs.
Ibson Melo is a marquee signing to lead the attack alongside evergreen captain Leandro Assumpcao.
Piyachanok Darit arrived from Chiang Mai FC and will partner Evson in central defence; with new full backs in Suwit Paipromat (BGPU and CMFC), Jetjinn Sriprach (Suphanburi) and Noppanon Kotchpalayok (Chonburi).
The goalkeeper, Jirunpong Thamsila, joins from Samut Prakan City
Ibson Melo was a fan favourite at Samut Prakan City and at Khon Kaen United. He then spent some time in India and home in Brazil. With 45 goals in 110 game in Thai League 1 he will relish a run out against T2 defences.
Nakhon Si United
Beaten in last season’s T2 play off final on the away goals rule NakhonSi United will be looking for automatic promotion this year and the appointment of Thongchai Sukkoki, who enjoyed six successful years at Nakhon Pathom, appear to be good business.
Goalkeeper and entertainer-in-chief Samuel Cunningham has left the club for Prachuap. Nopphon Lakhomphon and Nalawich Intharcharoen are young keepers from Buriram and BGPU respectively.
The centre back Bainor has joined from Samut Prakan City. Also at centre back is Ronnapee Chaicumde from Chiang Mai United. Midfielder Ronnayod Mingmitwan was impressive at CMFC two seasons ago. Kento Nagasaki looked a classy midfielder at Nongbua Pitchaya where he helped take the club to T1 last season.
Crislan is another from the Brazilian factory of very tall centre forwards – he has played in Indonesia and in 2023 spent six months at the Swatcats. He will presumably partner Rodrigo Maranhão up front.
Pattaya United
Another club that may struggle despite the presence of a 1.97m goalkeeper in dual national Samuel McAlpine; acquired from Port FC he has played three FA Cup games for Prime Bangkok in 2022/2023.
Abdolreza Zarei returns from Iran – he was previously a centre back with Nakhon Pathom. Waleed Adel, Thailand’s Mohmmed Saalah lookalike, has joined from Customs.
Also coming to Pattaya are two centre forwards, Fellipe Volos who made 12 appearances for Chiang Rai United last season and Patrick Cruz from Phrae United. His short fuse should bring a few extra fireworks. He may become a crowd favorite there.
However, Flavio and Judivan will be very hard to replace at this level. Their move to Lampang does not feel like a step up in ambition which suggests that it was only about money.
Phrae United
Phrae has always been a favorite away trip for Chiang Mai fans – though some of the fun was lost last year as Phrae became the Thai equivalent of the Hanson brothers at the CharlesTown Chiefs.
The Brazilian center half Lucas Daubermann has left Phrae and is now without a club. It would not be a surprise to see him turn up at a T3 club.
The new hires include two Chiang Mai alumni – Suwannapat Kingkaew at centre half after moving from Sukhothai and Somroeng Hanchiow the right sided midfielder. Both will be hoing for more regular football this season.
Wellington Smith has returned to Phrae where he last played from 2019 to 2022 before leaving for Vietnam and then Brazil.
Bruno Henrique is new to Thailand joining from AA Francana in the suburbs of Sao Paulo. He has spent much of the last few years playing in Vietnam and has 13 goals from 39 games in their top league.
Matteus Souza is a Brazilian forward who has arrived from Persekat Tegal where he played from November last year after a move from PSMS Medan. He has played previously in Thailand with Suphanburi and Loei.
Chiang Mai FC fans may remember Mattheus stealing a 3-2 win for Suphanburi in October 2022 at the Municipal Stadium. Here is the match report.
A final connection to Chiang Mai is the move of Tatsuhide Shimizu from MaeJo United.
Phrae have some interesting new recruits but is there enough quality and firepower to finish higher than last season’s 11th place.
Police Tero FC
Police Tero recently appointed Thawatchai Damrongongtrakul as the head coach – previously Technical Director at Prachuap. The twenty or so new signings are hopefully the result of quality scouting in T3. But they seem short of the quality to ensure an immediate return to T1.
Anipong Kijkam is s young goalkeeper from ChiangMai FC where he was woefully underused.
Moussa Sanoh previously with Ayutthaya provides some width on the right side with Fernando Viana a Brazilan centre forward recused from Samut Prakan City.
Unless they have found some T3 gems Police Tero look set for mid table or worse.
Samut Prakan City
Another club that has recruited heavily from T3 – in many cases sight unseen as some of these players have so little playing time.
The Assistant Coach – Wantawat Wangprasert – has stepped up to be head coach.
Among all the new kids is the veteran father figure of Poomphat Sarapisitphat; once of CMFC and then at NakhonSi United the least two seasons; his long throws may be Samut Prakan’s not-so-secret weapon.
Ronnachai Rangsiyo (once of Chiang Mai FC) is still with Samut Prakan but has also been advertising his resume while he searches for a team that needs a three-goals-a-season striker – sorry, I stole Phil’s joke there. Ronnachai is a lovely guy who realistically might bag more goals in T3.
Sebastian Scaroni is an exotic sounding midfielder who has come from a land down under – specifically Olympic Brisbane. The left back Supasak Sarapee was once with Chiang Mai FC.
There is also talk that Samut Prakan may have to move stadium for an unspecified period – perhaps to Ladkrabang 54, the home of Customs Utd. As though Samut Prakan fans have not had to put up with enough nonsense in recent seasons.
Sisaket United
The last of the three clubs promoted from T3.
Their attack is led by Danilo Lopes another ex ChiangMai FC player. His support will come from
Caíque Ribeiro an attacking midfielder who has joined from Pathumthani University together with Brazilian centre-forward Abner from Saimit Kabin United .
Ja-in Jeong is a young Centre-Back who has arrived from Chainat.
Suphaphon Sutthisak plays in Central Midfield and came from Samut Prakan City.
Jirayu Niamthaisong is a right back from Ayutthaya and Akarawit Saemaram a left back from Suphanburi FC
Sisaket have used their T3 familiarity for their recruitment but will it be enough or will they need to find reinforcements mis season?
Suphanburi FC
“Build Young Blood” is the Suphanburi tagline for the new season which I guess is better than drinking it!
The old guard are out. Yuki Bamba the most obvious casualty of the new youth focused policy.
Also gone are the strikers, Gustavinho and Thiago Henrique and the defender Joseph Obama.
Of some twenty new hires half appear to be either 18 or 19 years old without previous league experience.
Two Nigerians have joined the club – Eze Precious Uchenna a 22 year old Nigerian midfielder and a 20 year old center forward Onifade Babatunde Olamide.
Ithsara Sritaro started this week as the new coach after several years with the Thai national team set up. He has a difficult season ahead.
Trat FC
Relegated from T1 last season Trat may be the T1/T2 yo-yo club.
New hires include Jae Hyuk Lim a left winger from Chiang Mai United. Phillerson returns to Thailand from Al Dhaid in the UAE . He was previously with Nakhon SI United.
Thaigo Henrique has joined from Suphanburi and Diego Silva from the Ibri Club in Oman. He was previously in Thailand with Chainat and Nakhon Si United.
Sittichok Paso joins from Chonburi as a second striker
In defense Zaw Min Tun, a Myanmar centre half with extensive Thailand experience came from Nakhon Pathom. New full backs have joined from Lamphun, Chonburi, Mahasarakham and Pattaya.
Trat will be looking for an immediate return to T1.
Finally our Thai League 2 predictions (Phil did not get the instruction memo!)
| Rob | Simon | Phil |
| Chonburi | Chonburi | Chonburi |
| Trat | Nakhon Si United | Police Tero |
| NakhonSi United | Trat | Trat |
| Chiang Mai United | Police Tero | Nakhon Sri United |
| Chanthaburi | Chiang Mai United | |
| Bangkok FC | Chanthaburi | |
| Police Tero | Ayutthaya | |
| Mahasarakham | Mahasarakham | |
| Sisaket | Phrae | |
| Ayutthaya | Kasetsart | |
| Kasetsart | Bangkok FC | |
| Lampang | Suphanburi | |
| Phrae | Samut Prakan City | |
| Pattaya United | Lampang | |
| Kanchanaburi | Kanchanaburi | |
| Suphanburi | Pattaya Utd | Phrae |
| Samut Prakan City | Sisaket | Samut Prakan City |
| Chainat Hornbill | Chainat Hornbill | Chainat |
A tip of the hat to Phil and Simon for wading through this and to @TasosFromMedan on twitter for helping out.