On The Road - Bangkok Utd: 2017

On The Road - Bangkok Utd
5th August, 2017

Stadium
Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit, Pathum Thani

Transport
Car from SriRacha

Cost
B250 - petrol
B240 - tolls

Travelling Time (total journey)
Outward: 2hours 30minutes - Hold ups near the airport, at the entrance to Highway 9 and near the ground added forty minutes to our expected travel time.

Return - 1hour 50minutes: In contrast, it was plain sailing on the way home. Mind you, once the final whistle went, I couldn't get out of there quick enough! (We lost 7-2)

Total Distance Travelled
242kms

Match Ticket
B200 - as is often - although not always - the case, the most expensive ticket and in a stand with the worst view.

Programme
A glossy A5 magazine that folds out into a giant poster of former Chonburi midfielder, Pokklaw Anan. Includes a feature on four Bangkok Utd fans, a match preview and an interview with Pokklaw (all in Thai). We also get the second leg fixtures and squad lists in English, plus a one page advert for True Move H - the club's sponsors.

Club Shop
Because we arrived late, and I'd arranged to meet a few people before kick off, I didn't have time to visit the club shop.

Away End
A vast uncovered area behind one of the goals. The seats were OK - not much leg room - and it was nice and cool right at the back. Thankfully, the view was terrible!

Staff
Excellent. The girls in the ticket office were very helpful, friendly and spoke English. As were the ones at the entrance to the away stand. Other than that, I didn't really have any dealings with the staff. The stewards in our end were very low key.

Food
Yep. Lots. All the usual tasty Thai fayre was available and there's a 7-11 within a five minute walk of the ground.

Beer
Yep. B80 for a large Chang, which was served in a plastic cup with a straw. Sadly, beer wasn't allowed inside the ground, but all other food and drink was.

Highlight of the Day
Err. . .it certainly wasn't anything that happened on the pitch. So, I'll have to say my prearranged pre match meeting with four people whom I'd only ever 'spoken' to online before.

Overall Experience
Once you take the match out of the equation, it was a good day out. A lot is made about Bangkok Utd's low crowds and the wisdom of playing in such a large, out of the way stadium, but they are really making an effort. There was a good vibe outside the ground before kick off, with bands playing and a large area where fans could sit down to eat and drink, and a genuine feeling that the owners are in this for the long haul. Good luck to them, I say.