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Suphanburi's 2014 Suzuki Cup hero Charyl Chappuis inspired his side to a much needed 2-0 Premier League of Thailand (PLT) victory over in-form Chiang Rai United as the midfielder completed a full 90 minutes for the first time in more than 18 months. The War Elephant had failed to win their previous seven matches, a period in which Chappuis has made slow but steady progress in his return from a serious knee injury. With his first full game coinciding with a morale-boosting win, Ricardo Rodriguez's men can approach the second half of the season with renewed hope. While Chappuis was giving Suphanburi a lift, Muang Thong United strengthened their position at the top of the league with another straightforward victory and moved four points clear of second-placed Bangkok United, who drew 0-0 at Buriram United. Here are five things we saw on PLT Matchday 18: 1. Chappuis makes presence felt Suphanburi have been out of the habit of winning games but finally overcame tough opponents on Saturday as goals from debutant Darko Tasevski and Chappuis' fellow Swiss-Thai Chitchanok Xaysensourinthone earned the home side three points. Chiang Rai United spent big in the transfer window but it was Suphanburi's new signing Tasevski who stole the show, along with another new name, Thanasith Sripala. Chappuis was delighted with the team's performance as he finally came through a full match again. "It wasn't easy as it was my first 90 minutes in such a long time but I was happy with my performance and very happy with the result," he told ESPN FC. "I think you could see that we played as a team and everyone fought for each other. Now we have to keep this going and get ready for the midweek game with Chonburi." Regarding the impact of his new teammate Tasevski, Chappuis added, "I like his style of playing and how he has adapted to the team. He can definitely be an asset for us." 2. Theerathon makes dream start for Kirins One of the most stunning transfers in Thai football history came when Theerathon Bunmathan signed a deal to take him from champions Buriram United to bitter rivals Muang Thong. The deal came several weeks before the season's second leg but the national team skipper was finally eligible to play for his new side when Nakhon Ratchasima visited on Saturday. Theerathon wasted no time in making an impact as he took just 32 minutes to announce his arrival with the opening goal in the Kirins' 4-1 victory. The left wing-back drilled a low shot into the corner with the aid of a slight deflection to send his new fans wild. The league leaders were pegged back by the Swatcats, who levelled through Marco Tagbajumi's powerful strike, before Theerathon turned provider when his corner kick resulted in Mario Abrante putting them back in front. A second-half double from Adisak Kraisorn sealed another convincing win for Totchtawan's Sripan's side. 3. Diogo's return sparks Buriram into life Last season's player of the year Diogo Luis Santo tasted PLT action for the first time this year as Buriram United held Bangkok United at the Thunder Castle. The Brazilian striker has been sorely missed by the champions since he suffered a serious shoulder injury on Matchday 1 of the AFC Champions League in February. Diogo soon reminded Buriram fans of what they have been missing as he turned in a dynamic performance in a goalless draw with the high-flying Bangkok Angels. Diogo rarely threatened to score but his drive was something that has been absent from many of his side's lacklustre performances this season. His strike partner from last season, Gilberto Macena, made his debut for the opposition and also looked lively but, like Diogo, he was on the end of some tough defending. In the end, a draw was a fair result but it puts Mano Polking's side four points adrift of leaders Muang Thong. The Bangkok Angels now have two very winnable games -- against Pattaya United and Super Power Samut Prakan -- before they host the Kirins in two weeks. 4. Romain brings down Super Power On the eve of Matchday 18, struggling Osotspa Samut Prakan decided to change their name. The side, also formerly known as Osotspa Saraburi, became Super Power Samut Prakan. The new title seemed to be having an impact when Boworn Tapla gave the home side an early lead against Bangkok Glass on Saturday. But the Glass Rabbits, who fired head coach Anurak Srikerd last week, proved the more powerful side with a second-half comeback. First, Daniel Toti Rodriguez levelled the score before the stage was set for French attacking midfielder Romain Gasmi to make a spectacular return to the PLT. The former Bangkok United man spent the first half of the season on loan at Division One side Chiang Mai United. He served warning of his set piece prowess when a long-range effort in the first half was brilliantly saved. But Gasmi took his second chance with 17 minutes of the game remaining when he curled an excellent dipping strike into the corner. Gasmi told ESPN FC, "I'm delighted to get my first goal, especially as it was the winner. I'm happy to repay the club and the fans for their belief in me. We're in third place at the moment and, of course, we'd like to finish on top. But second place looks more achievable and as that gets you into the qualifying round of the AFC Champions League, that would be a very good result." On Wednesday, Gasmi's team will be tested when they face league leaders Muang Thong, while the Samut Prakan side's relegation battle continues with a trip to BEC Tero Sasana. 5. Debutants have mixed fortunes Matchday 18 allowed teams to play new faces signed during the transfer window. Many had a significant impact on their team's fortunes, including Suphanburi's Tasevski and Thanasith, both signed from Bangkok Glass. Theerathon was instrumental in Muang Thong's latest win and Gasmi was the match winner for Bangkok Glass. Adul Lahso returned to Chonburi on loan after a move to Buriram and gave a midfield masterclass as the Sharks beat Pattaya United 2-0. One of the biggest names to join the PLT was Australia's Mark Bridge, who endured a frustrating evening as his Chiang Rai side lost at Suphanburi. Buriram's new Portuguese striker Bruno Moreira had a quiet debut though came close to a goal when his header flashed wide late in the game against Bangkok United. And Macena also failed to the find the net first game for the Bangkok Angels but his hard running made it a tough night for the Buriram defence. Time will tell if the new players have been good buys but there are certainly positive signs for several of the mid-season signings.
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