Stadium
SCG Stadium, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi
Transport
Bus from SriRacha
Cost
B220
Travelling Time (to stadium)
2 hours 30 minutes
Match Ticket
B120
Programme
Fantastic! A glossy 36 page colour magazine packed with photos and lots of information (in Thai). Includes five pages on Chonburi plus two more covering previous meetings between the two teams. Surprised there was no content in English but this is a minor quibble. Excellent value for B10.
Club Shop
Well stocked and well organised. They were doing a roaring trade when I went to have a look two and a half hours before kick off. Friendly staff and all appeared to have a decent amount of English.
Away End
About a thirds of the lower tier and roughly the same of the upper tier, in the West Stand along the touchline. There were 996 seats in our section (lower tier) all with row names and numbers. However, Muang Thong had sold way too many un-numbered tickets and between three and four hundred fans were standing on the walkway between the first row of seats and the pitch. People were also standing in the stairways blocking the escape routes. This was a very dangerous situation brought about by totally irresponsible behaviour from the club. If they'd have numbered the tickets and restricted them to the seats available it would have been a far more pleasurable experience. I'm very disappointed that a club that appears to be run so professionally in many other areas put fans safety at risk in order to make a few more quid.
Staff
Helpful and friendly. The two lads on the stall where I bought my programme had been very patient with the people in front of me, who kept changing their minds as to which name and number they wanted on the back of their replica jerseys. However, they still were still ready with a smile when it was eventually my turn to be served. The stewards were by and large OK - although one or two of them thought the uniform meant they were some sort of superior beings - and the less said about the riot police, the better! The steward I spoke to re my concerns about the overcrowding was very understanding and suggested I e mail the club with my grievances. I thought this was a very professional way of dealing with my polite complaint.
Food
Absolutely loads around the stadium. The Thai food on sale behind the away end was cheap and very tasty. The vendors also enjoyed having a laugh with the visiting fans.
Beer
Of course! The usual three cans for B100 (Leo in plentiful supply - Chang took some tracking down). You could take it inside the ground - providing it was in a plastic glass - and they even had draught beer on sale at the entrance to the away end. Top marks for this and a lesson to anyone from our club who might have seen it. I know I go on about this but if other clubs can do it with much bigger crowds - why can't we?
Overall Experience
The whole overcrowding issue is certainly something that needs to be addressed. And I shall be e mailing Muang Thong United about it. The car park too was a disaster; three "stewards" with torches and whistles who had absolutely no idea what they were doing. It took us almost as long to get off the car park as it did to get home! Otherwise, it was everything you would expect it to be from a club with such a progressive approach - friendly staff and fans making us feel very welcome indeed.
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