The original Chiang Mai is Blue cover art

The original Chiang Mai is Blue

The original Chiang Mai is Blue

By: Robert Scott
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About this listen



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





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Robert Scott Politics & Government
Episodes
  • From T2 promotion to sustainable survival !

    From T2 promotion to sustainable survival !
    Apr 1 2026

    Nongbua, in great form, beat Police Tero 6-3

    Trat win away at NakhonSi Utd - could Trat take the final play-off place in the ultimate escape from the relegation zone?

    PT Satun win the BGC Muang Thai Insurance Cup in an excellent final against Thonburi Utd.

    Simon Causton offers some thoughts on how T2's promoted teams can survive in T1. Community and sustainability as the keys for survival?

    Phil has his preview of the weekend games in Thai League 2 - Pattani v Sisaket has to be the game of the weekend - Friday night at 7pm.


    Simon's writings can be found at www.footballsiam.com - together with all the results, news and fixtures from Leagues 1 and 2 and from the League and FA Cups. Phil's T2 match summaries are also on the www.footballsiam.com page together with links to the match highlights. A one-stop shop for your T2 updates!


    Thanks for listening!

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    51 mins
  • Sisaket stumble

    Sisaket stumble
    Mar 26 2026

    Sisaket stumble. Lose at Police Tero and hold on for a draw at Kasetsart.

    Weary Pattani beat Chainat. Now for a 3 April showdown at the Rainbow Stadium

    Mahasarakham lose at Trat but cling on to the last play-off place - for now!

    Rasisalai need a single point to secure the League 2 title.

    Police Tero win for new coach Bene Lima.

    Nakhon Pathom cling on.

    Could one of Songkhla, Trat or Khon Kaen United make the playoffs?

    T3 regional leagues have ended - 12 teams remain to play out the T3 National Championship.

    What is the safe points number to stay in T2 this season? 38 ?



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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Rasisalai promoted

    Rasisalai promoted
    Mar 19 2026

    It was a low scoring and tense weekend in Thai League 2.


    Sisaket or Pattani for the second automatic promotion place?


    Police Tero lose again but are still fifth and appoint a new head coach with just four games left in the regular season.


    Chainat win at last - can they challenge for the playoffs?


    A controversial win for Bangkok FC - back to back wins - is it too late?


    Are Nakhon Pathom doomed to relegation?


    Controversy also at Nongbua Pitchaya who salvage a point with a late penalty.


    Phil rounds up the MuangThai League Cup quarter finals.


    Our T3 update.


    And a preview of the weekend games in Thai League 2.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
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