The ChiangMai is Blue podcast

Robert Scott
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In 2023-24 Simon Wise and Rob Scott started this podcast to cover Chiang Mai FC's season in T2 under new local ownership. The season was undiluted soap opera. Coaches were fired, staff not paid, players not paid, suppliers not paid. At the end of the year, with the club in massive debt and the owner in hiding, the club, despite finishing fourth, was relegated to T3 for failing to meet licensing requirements. The club's very existence was in doubt. A deal orchestrated by the Sports Authority of Thailand tried to bring together Brazilian investors with an amateur team and sports academy - Christ FC - based in Mae Rim in the North of Chiang Mai. This partnership would adopt the name of Chiang Mai FC. Half way through the T3 season the Brazilian investors and sponsors were removed. Christ FC took over the management and operations of CMFC. Ichiban arrived as a welcome new sponsor. In the meantime our podcast evolved to a broader coverage of Thai Leagues 2 and 3. Phil Williams joined the podcast in the 2024-2025 season. Following T2 is great fun. It is the most competitive, unpredictable, diverse, occasionally brilliant and often bizarre, league in Thai football stretching from Nongbua Lamphu in the North East to Chiang Mai in the North, to Trat in the East and down to Pattani in the South. Simon decided to leave the podcast midway through the 2025-2026 season. One of the lessons from last few years is not to take our Thai football too seriously - it is a great way to avoid disappointment. But it is also a great way to see and experience Thailand. Thank you for listening. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know. All the best, Phil and Rob Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2d ago

    Khon Kaen United go top

    New leaders. Khon Kaen United go top on 9 points despite a goal difference of exactly zero — 7 scored, 7 conceded in four games. Entertaining, leaky, and suddenly the team to catch. Three teams still unbeaten — Uttaradit (8 pts, 2nd), Kanchanaburi (6 pts), and Nakhon Pathom (4 pts, four draws from four). Nobody's lost yet in that trio, but only Uttaradit are turning draws into wins. Satun's first defeat — with an asterisk. The promoted side's perfect start ended at Nongbua, and the manner of it will sting: Satun came from 0–2 down to 3–3, then lost to an 87th-minute Luân Costa goal that fans rightly argued was offside. No VAR in Thai League 2. The promoted trio are for real. After four rounds: Satun 6 pts, Loei 7 pts (and level on points with the sides directly below the top two), Uttaradit 8 pts in 2nd. All three are in the top half. Goals are flying in. 27 in nine matches, with two separate 4–3s in eight days involving Nongbua and Uttaradit. Defences, as Santi Chaiphuek admits, are behind the strikers so far. Firsts everywhere at the bottom. Phrae's first win (3–0 away), Kasetsart's first point, and Chainat's second win — the early-season separates are starting to form, though the FIFA Day break now pauses the league. Best comeback: PT Satun — 0–2 down at Nongbua, back to 3–3, only to be denied by the 87th-minute controversy. A comeback in a losing cause, but the bravest away performance of the round. Best performance: Uttaradit — 4–3 in another seven-goal classic, still unbeaten, up to second. (Honourable mention: Phrae's 3–0 at Pattaya.) Best story: The Luân Costa 87th-minute "offside" winner at Nongbua — no flag, no VAR, and a fanbase in revolt. It decided the game of the weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Khon Kaen United go top

  2. 5d ago

    Loei go top

    Satun send out a warningThe headline result was PT Satun’s 3–0 win over Muangthong United. After beating Songkhla in the previous round, Satun look increasingly comfortable at this level. Songkhla produce the round’s only away winSongkhla were the only side to win on the road, and they did it emphatically. Their 3–0 victory at Police Tero was impressive, particularly against a side that began the season among the early pace-setters. Promoted clubs have another good weekThe promoted teams had a very satisfactory midweek: PT Satun won 3–0Muang Loei United won 2–0Uttaradit held Nongbua Pitchaya to a 2–2 draw That is a strong return from three difficult fixtures. Satun were the outstanding performers, but all three clubs showed that they belong in Thai League 2. Chiangmai United turn up the pressureChiangmai United’s 3–1 home win over Khon Kaen United was another important result. They took control with a brace before half time and finished strongly, while Khon Kaen suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Another bad outing for KasetsartKasetsart’s difficult start continued with a 2–0 defeat at Chanthaburi. They remain without a point after three matches, while Chanthaburi finally picked up their first win. There were some fabulous goals in midweek - great strikes from Tanapat (CMU) and Apisit (Nongbua); fabulous solo efforts from Amadou (Chanthaburi) and Mauricio Cortes (Satun), a really smart finish from Chitchanok (Mahasarakham) and an outrageous goal from Ratthaphum (Loei). Phil previews Matchweek 4. T3 gets under way this weekend. Why do so many goalkeeper names begin with K? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Loei go top

  3. Sep 15

    New kids in town

    The headlines from last weekend: A two-horse early pace-setter — Police Tero and Khon Kaen United are both perfect (6/6, 4–0 aggregates, zero conceded). Tero's organisation vs Khon Kaen's ruthlessness. Uttaradit are the surprise package — a first-ever T2 season, and they're unbeaten (4 pts, two clean sheets) after holding Muangthong and beating Kasetsart. . Muang Loei's statement win — a 3–0 win over Chainat lifts them into mid-table and shows the promoted trio (Uttaradit, Satun, Muang Loei) all have legitimate fight. The away-day league continues — confirmed decisive results again mostly went to visitors; home advantage looks thin in this division. PT Satun have character — conceding first then scoring three on the road, twice now, behind a 5,000-strong backing. Kasetsart are the early crisis club — the only side with zero points and no goals after two rounds. That's a storyline to watch. What was wrong with Pattaya - for Police Tero Christmas came early. Phil previews the midweek games in Thai League 2. The T3 teams that will host T2 opposition in the MuangThai League Cup. Back on Friday with our review of Matchweek 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    New kids in town

  4. Sep 9

    Kanchanaburi's Powerful start

    Our review of the opening weekend's matches in Thai League 2 Phil previews this weekend's matches which start with Pattaya v Police Tero on Friday. A quick MuangThai League cup update. A few awards from the opening weekend: Best comeback: Kanchanaburi Power, 4–2 at PT SatunBest individual performance: Ahmed Mubarak, Chainat — two goalsBest away wins: Pattaya United winning 1–0 at Chiangmai United and Khon Kaen United's 1-0 win at Chanthaburi.Most dramatic finish: Nakhon Pathom’s stoppage-time equaliser against Nakhon RatchasimaMost impressive crowd: PT Satun, approximately 5,000Biggest talking point: The effect of rain, poor playing surfaces and the absence of VAR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Kanchanaburi's Powerful start

  5. Sep 2

    Predictions, Previews and Tiago Chulapa

    Phil, Simon, James and Rob are all involved this week bringing our Thai League 2 predictions for the season; we also have Phil's preview of the opening games of the new season and an update on the drama at Muangthong United. Phil and Rob talk with the evergreen Tiago Chulapa; soon to become the leading goalscorer in the history of Thai League 2. Tiago is in his tenth year in Thailand and is back this season with Pattaya United. Many thanks to Tiago who will be leading the Pattaya line at Chiang Mai United this weekend. Have a great weekend and we will be back next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Predictions, Previews and Tiago Chulapa

  6. Aug 31

    Marlon Silva - new season interview

    James Baxter and Rob Scott chat with Pattani's Captain Fantastic, Marlon Silva, about the changes at the club, and the arrival of new players, over the three months since promotion, via the playoffs, from Thai League 2. Stadium issues. New players. What targets has Marlon set for the season? What targets has the club set for the season? Pattani's opening game is on Friday 4th September at the club's temporary home - the Tinsulanonda Stadium in Songkhla. We will always be a Thai League 2 podcast but we will keep following Pattani's journey in T1. They are one of the success stories of the Thai League structure and the first team from the South to play in the top tier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Marlon Silva - new season interview

  7. Aug 26

    Mamba Number 5

    James Baxter makes a very welcome return joining Phil and Rob as we look at Kanchanaburi Power, Chiang Mai United, Phrae United, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Pathom, Khon Kaen United, Muangthong United, Pattaya United and MahasarakhamCC. Phil pays tribute to Celtic and Chanthaburi fan Paul Lennon who sadly passed away last week. The draw for the qualifying round of the Chang FA Cup. 6 T2 teams have not entered. Others may wish that they had not given their long haul away fixtures! Leading Thai League 2 goalscorers. A Tiago Chulapa milestone awaits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mamba Number 5

  8. Aug 19

    New season; new stories; same passion

    Phil and Rob are joined by Simon Causton from www.footballsiam.com What happened to Nara Utd? Farewell to Trat Nine teams to preview: Nongbua Pitchaya Chainat Police Tero PT Satun Muang Loei United Uttaradit Chanthaburi Kasetsart Songkhla Nine more next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    New season; new stories; same passion
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About

In 2023-24 Simon Wise and Rob Scott started this podcast to cover Chiang Mai FC's season in T2 under new local ownership. The season was undiluted soap opera. Coaches were fired, staff not paid, players not paid, suppliers not paid. At the end of the year, with the club in massive debt and the owner in hiding, the club, despite finishing fourth, was relegated to T3 for failing to meet licensing requirements. The club's very existence was in doubt. A deal orchestrated by the Sports Authority of Thailand tried to bring together Brazilian investors with an amateur team and sports academy - Christ FC - based in Mae Rim in the North of Chiang Mai. This partnership would adopt the name of Chiang Mai FC. Half way through the T3 season the Brazilian investors and sponsors were removed. Christ FC took over the management and operations of CMFC. Ichiban arrived as a welcome new sponsor. In the meantime our podcast evolved to a broader coverage of Thai Leagues 2 and 3. Phil Williams joined the podcast in the 2024-2025 season. Following T2 is great fun. It is the most competitive, unpredictable, diverse, occasionally brilliant and often bizarre, league in Thai football stretching from Nongbua Lamphu in the North East to Chiang Mai in the North, to Trat in the East and down to Pattani in the South. Simon decided to leave the podcast midway through the 2025-2026 season. One of the lessons from last few years is not to take our Thai football too seriously - it is a great way to avoid disappointment. But it is also a great way to see and experience Thailand. Thank you for listening. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know. All the best, Phil and Rob Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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