The 2025/26 season has come to a close for the Thai League, the highest level of football in Thailand.
It is truly a sorrowful farewell for the fans of “Kirin Phayong” Muangthong United!
They suffered a 0-3 away defeat to Sukhothai FC.
This painful loss caused them to be relegated to the second-tier Thai League 2 for the first time in 17 years.
Although many Muangthong fans had somewhat prepared themselves that such a situation would eventually come,
the battle to avoid relegation fluctuated wildly, like a roller coaster, among the teams in the danger zone.
From nearly having no hope previously,
the arrival of coach Borges working alongside Willian Popp helped rescue the team from crisis.
Gradually, things seemed to improve day by day—from despair back to hope again—right up to the final game.
In fact, they should have had the greatest advantage among the three teams involved, as a draw would have kept their top-league hopes alive.
But in the end, the Kirin failed, while the home team Sukhothai brought out an outstanding performance that crushed them as seen.
It's only fair that the “Fire Bats” remain in the league.
In this match, their form was superior to Muangthong in every aspect.
What is particularly painful is that former Muangthong players, once considered surplus, “Pipo” Siroj Chatthong and “Jao Neng” Sarangkan Promsupa,
shone brilliantly in this game.
They were involved in nearly every goal scored by the home side.
In contrast, Muangthong’s players delivered their poorest performance since coach Borges took over the team.
Thus, there is no excuse left.
I admit that I am so sad, deeply sorrowful, as a Muangthong supporter for nearly two decades.
I have witnessed their greatness as a “Thai football powerhouse.”
They won the Thai League title four times, proudly displaying four stars on their jerseys.
They were even the legendary “Invincible Champions” in 2012!
They won numerous cup trophies, including four FA Cups and two League Cups.
Plus the Kor Royal Cup, the Thailand Super Cup, and the Mekong Club Championship, each once.
My support for the Kirin was not just due to their excellent performance.
This club symbolized a team representing media professionals like us.
They invested massively to make professional football a model for others.
Especially during the peak boom of the Thai League, when stadiums were overflowing with fans.
All this happened because of the Siam Sport big boss, "Ravi Lhotong," alone.
Truly the only one whose every breath and step revolved around sports.
Thai football was at the core of his heart.
He laid the foundations for professional football in our country to progress steadily to the present day.
Unfortunately, after the Siam Sport era ended, nothing has been the same.
Thai football has sadly entered a decline.
Because certain people came in to seize and exploit the benefits that "Pee Wi" had built for the industry in disgraceful ways.
This led to deterioration that is difficult to recover from, much like Muangthong’s decline from their glory days.
They gradually fell back to become a club struggling at the bottom of the table.
Eventually, they could not escape this cycle of decline.
They must now “tour around Thailand” like other big clubs such as Port FC, BG Pathum, and Chonburi have experienced.
On Sunday, 10 May, the day Muangthong United was relegated,
there happened to be images of Big Ravi Lhotong appearing in the media for the first time in many years.
He was on stage receiving the ‘Journalism Honor’ award from the Thai Journalists Association under royal patronage.
This award honors journalists who have made lifelong contributions to the media profession.
He is the founder of Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited and Thailand’s first daily sports newspaper, Siam Sport.
And, of course, the founder of the legendary football club Muangthong United.
He played a significant role in igniting the rapid growth of Thai football.
He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Thai football and sports media.
Known as the ‘Prophet of Thai Sports Media’ unmatched by anyone else.
It is unfortunate that today, a day that should have been a proud moment in “Pee Wi’s” career,
has instead turned into a sad and lonely day for the beloved Kirin fans.
- Bee Bangpakong -