Owned and operated by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Rajamangala Stadium is one of the best stadiums in Thailand

Although not a major football-playing country, Thailand has no dearth of brilliant football stadiums. Out of many, the Rajamangala Stadium in the city of Bangkok can be called the Mecca of football in Thailand. Owned and operated by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the national stadium is part of the famous Hua Mak Sports Complex. The football stadium was officially inaugurated in 1998 and since then, it has hosted numerous football matches and tournaments. 

In its early days, the stadium was not used as a football ground. Instead, other sports and events were organized in the Rajamangala. After getting officially inaugurated in 1998, the stadium was used to organize the Asian Games in 1998 and the ASEAN University Games in 1999. Finally, in early 2000, when Thai football began to gain traction and prominence; this stadium became the national football stadium of the country. 

Home of the Thailand national football team (men and women), Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of architecture designed the stadium. An open stadium, the Rajamangala features a running track around the football pitch. When the stadium was inaugurated, it had an overall seating capacity of 70,000. However, the seating capacity was reduced to 50,000 spectators. With a grass surface, the stadium offers a sublime playing experience because of which; it hosted some notable tournaments. In 2003 the AFC Champions League quarter-final was held in this stadium and, in 2007, the AFC Asian Cup was played here. Apart from the Thai national football team, the stadium is regularly used by local clubs such as Chonburi FC, PEA FC and Bangkok Glass FC. 

Like every famous stadium, the Rajamangala Stadium has witnessed a bit of controversy in recent times. In 2013, English Premier club Manchester United played a match in the Rajamangala. During the match, some football enthusiasts waved anti-Alex Ferguson banners because of the incident, the stadium drew attention. 

Apart from football, the stadium is also used to host musical concerts. In the recent past, famous musicians such as Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran performed for the Thai audience in the Rajamangala Stadium. Not to forget, world-famous music bands such as Coldplay, One Direction and Korean band BTS have performed in the Mecca of Thailand’s Football.