Sasom signs new Thai Port deal

Thai Port manager Sasom Pobpraserd has committed his future to the club by signing a two-year contract extension. The 43 year old has done a fantastic job during his time at PAT Stadium, guiding Port to two top six finishes in the TPL, as well as winning the 2009 FA Cup & 2010 Toyota League Cup.

Port midfielders put pen to paper

Thai Port fans received some positive news today with the announcement that midfield duo Kiatjareon Ruangparn (pictured below) and Worawut Wangsawad have signed two-year contract extensions. Kiatjareon is one of the longest serving players at the club having joined Port Authority of Thailand from Nakhon Pathom in 2006.

Sarayoot poised to depart Port?

According to articles on Siamsport & TLO websites, Sarayoot Chaikamdee's third spell at Port Authority/Thai Port is all but over. His contract expires on December 31st and the Thai international is said to be in advanced talks with other Thai Premier League teams. Buriram PEA, Samut Songkhram, Khon Kaen and Police United have continually been linked with 'Joe' since the end of the season, but Bangkok Glass are also rumoured to be interested in the prolific striker.

African duo pen new deals

The drip-feed of information from Thai Port continued today with the news that Nigerian striker/winger Jacob Aikhionbare (pictured below) and Cameroonian goalkeeper Ulrich Munze have signed new two-year contracts with the club.

Jacob proved his worth last season by scoring 9 goals in 33 appearances after joining from NPL team Sunshine Stars. Munze had to settle for sharing the goalkeeping duties with Patarakorn Thanganurat in 2010 despite being far more competent between the sticks than his Thai rival. Now that Patarakorn has left the club, Munze is a certainty for the number 1 jersey in 2011.

Young quartet commit futures to Thai Port

Thai Port have confirmed that 4 young players have put pen to paper on new deals, committing themselves to the club for at least 2 years. Alef Poh-Ji, Issarapong Lilakorn (pictured below) and Ekkachai Sumrei have signed until 2012, while Todsapol Lated has agreed a 5 year deal.

Thai Port pair sign new contracts

Thai Port have been boosted by the news that Jirawat Makarom (pictured below) and Sompong Soleb have signed new two-year contracts with the club. Alef Poh-Ji and Ekkachai Sumrei are also very close to agreeing deals that will keep them at PAT Stadium until 2012.

Port defender linked with Samut Songkhram switch

The latest speculation doing the rounds is that Thai Port left-back Pongpipat Kamnuan (pictured below) will join the growing exodus from PAT Stadium by signing for TPL side Samut Songkhram. 'The Mackerals' are also said to be keen on two other Port players, namely club captain Ittipol Noniri and Ekachai Preechakool.

Police United unveil Thai Port trio

Police United have officially unveiled 5 new signings - including 3 from Thai Port. Defensive duo Nontapan Jiensatawong, Rangsan Iam-Wiroj and goalkeeper Patarakorn Thanganurat will all be playing their football at Thammasat Stadium in 2011.

Police will be hoping that Patarakorn can continue his impressive run of winning trophies. He was part of the PEA squad that clinched the Thai Premier League title in 2008, and was an integral member of the Thai Port team that won the Thaicom FA Cup in 2009 & Toyota League Cup in 2010.

(Ransgan: far left, Patarakorn: third from right, Nontapan: second from right)

Elsewhere, Jakkrit Bunkham (pic below: number 17) has definitely joined BEC-Tero Sasana. He turned out for the 'Fire Dragons' in their recent friendly match against Muangthong United. Yai Nilwong's transfer to TPL newcomers Chiang Rai has also been confirmed by the 'Fighting Beetles' on their official website.

There is still uncertainty regarding the future of Sarayoot Chaikamdee. Buriram PEA, Police United, Samut Songkhram and Khon Kaen are all believed to be keen on the 29 year old striker. The player himself added to the speculation during the AFF Suzuki Cup by saying that an Indonesian team (rumoured to be Sriwijaya) are also interested in him. Thai Port, though, are insisting that they will fight to keep hold of their main asset.

Another day, another investment rumour

An article on the Siamsport website claims that a Samut Prakan based 'political family' are interested in pumping 100,000,000 baht into Thai Port. These kind of stories have cropped up before, so believe it when you see it.

The latest investment rumours have no doubt been sparked by the well publicised instability within the club. Earlier in the week 200 Port fans payed their second recent visit to PAT offices in Khlong Toei seeking information on the current situation from Port Authority director-general Chalermchai Meekhumiam. The growing sense of unease amongst the fans forced Thai Port to release a statement giving their side of the story. The crux of the problem appears to be that PAT have reneged on an MoU (memorandum of understanding) signed by both parties before the 2009 season, stating that Thai Port would be allowed to use PAT Stadium rent free for 5 years, and that PAT would provide an annual payment of 25,000,000 baht to help fund the football club.

Dialogue between Thai Port & PAT is believed to be on-going, with Port officials stating that they are very hopeful there will be some good news for the fans before the New Year (although they did not disclose the nature of the good news).

Video courtesy of Tungstenpalm

Thai Port vs Đồng Tháp friendly match announced

Thai Port have been allowed back into PAT Stadium after being locked out by PAT, although the ongoing dispute remains unresolved. In the meantime, Port have announced a home friendly match against Vietnamese side Đồng Tháp. The game will be played on Thursday 9th December - kick off 5:00pm - ticket price 50 baht. Đồng Tháp finished 3rd in the 2010 V-League, just 2 points behind league champions T&T Hà Nội.

One question though...Given that we played our last fixture just over 2 weeks ago, is this an end of season game or a pre-season game?!

EDIT: I believe that the score was Thai Port 2 - 3 Đồng Tháp. Port fielded quite a strong team including the likes of Jirawat Makarom, Mario Da Silva, Pongpipat Kamnuan & Ulrich Munze, although several youngsters and trialists were used in the second half. Sarayoot Chaikamdee watched the game from the stands.

* The game was originally announced as Thai Port vs Dong Tam Long An, but on closer inspection of the opposition teams shirts...we actually played Dong Thap FC.

Yai joins Chiang Rai?

The usually reliable thaileagueonline.com claim that TPL 2011 newcomers Chiang Rai United have signed Thai Port midfielder Yai Nilwong. The 25 year old joined Port from Raj Navy Rayong a year ago, but struggled to win a regular place in the starting line-up during the 2010 season.

Police United set to recruit Thai Port duo?

TLO reports suggest that Police United are set to clinch the signings of Thai Port defensive duo Rangsan Iam-Wiroj and Nontapan Jiensatawong. Rangsan (pictured below) has played consistently well over the last two years, earning the 2009 player of the season award for his efforts. His departure will be a huge blow to the club.

Nontapan, on the other hand, will not be such a great loss. He's a hard working player, is decent going forward and has a good left peg, but his defending leaves a lot to be desired...and that is putting it kindly.

Police are also interested in Port goalkeeper Patarakorn Thanganurat and striker Sarayoot Chaikamdee, although they face stiff competition from other TPL teams for the latter. Sarayoot has recently admitted that he is likely to leave PAT Stadium during the close season, but he is remaining tight lipped until after the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Another player seemingly on his way out of the club is midfielder Jakkrit Bunkham. BEC Tero are said to have agreed to sign the player when his contract expires, although nothing has been officially confirmed.

Thai Port in dispute with Port Authority

According to online reports, PAT Stadium owners Port Authority of Thailand padlocked the stadium gates last Friday afternoon because of an on-going financial dispute with Thai Port. The disagreement apparently stems from an eighty thousand baht per match surcharge introduced by PAT that has accrued over several months into a debt in excess of one million baht.

On Monday afternoon, a group of Thai Port fans led by supporters club chairman Mongkol Santikul went to PAT offices in Khlong Toei to present Port Authority director-general Chalermchai Meekhumiam with a letter requesting clarification on the recent problem, as well as seeking assurances about future funding. A meeting between PAT and Thai Port has been scheduled for December 8th, when the concerns raised by fans will surely be high on the agenda.