Lamphun Warrior (Thailand)

Lamphun Warrior FC are a football club from the city of Lamphun in northern Thailand, which is located around 25km south of Chiang Mai.

The club were formed in 2011 as the league structure continued to develop in the country. Warrior moved into the municipal Mae Guang Stadium to play their home games.

Lamphun Warrior FC will compete in Regional League Division Two Northern Region for the 2013 season.


My visit

Monday 2nd April 2012

I was in Chiang Mai for the 25th anniversary of their International Cricket Sixes. Because I was involved in a match with Yarrambat, the Melbourne based side I represented the previous day when Warrior were at home, I decided to visit on our day off.

Over extended Sunday nights my friends and team mates Russell Lamb, Dylan Forster and Simon Bray said that they'd like to go with me rather than just lying around the hotel. The next morning I was waiting in the foyer of the Pornping Hotel at the designated time, when my pals started appearing. They had stayed out a lot later than me!

We hired a sangtheaw for 500 baht (around £10) to take us on our journey. I had to admit that Lamphun did seem a lot further than it appeared on the map. The others were in various states, none of which I would have described as being lively. The driver dropped us off at the market, where we had a good look around without ever getting close to purchasing anything.

I led the party using my map, which I was sure was taking us the right way. We saw the old city wall and crossed the moat. I had the feeling that there wasn't a hundred percent confidence in my orientation and I was praying I was getting it right, with us having a team fines evening to follow that evening. We headed down a quiet road which did have me slightly concerned until I confirmed my route with some youngsters in a school playground.

Sure enough we were soon by the bus station, with the stadium just around the corner. We checked out how often the buses ran before walking round to take a look at Mae Guang Stadium.

In truth it was slightly disappointing, especially after my experience at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai the previous evening in the same division as which Warrior competed in. There was a Main Stand with a roof and open sections at either side of it at one side of the pitch. A tarmac running track surrounded the very bumpy playing area. On the far side of the pitch was an open stand. Both ends consisted of flat open standing.

We took some photos and had a walk on the pitch before heading back to the bus station. We got some waters and nibbles. Poor Simo fell asleep and once again on the samll bus, which cost us just 20 baht each on the return. It was pretty packed, and I'm sure the locals would have been surprised to come across four ferangs on their local bus route!

The good news for everyone was that the bus dropped us by the Gymkhana ground, which was hosting our cricket tournament. We were soon enjoying lunch and I went for a nice foot and leg massage while enjoying watching the action.

Absolute bliss and a good morning out. At least I thought so!