On The Road - Samut Songkhram: 2012

On The Road - Samut Songkhram

28th July, 2012

 

Stadium

Samut Songkhram Municipal Stadium

Transport

Coach from SriRacha

Cost

B270

Travelling Time (total journey) 

6 hours and 15 minutes

Total Distance Travelled

396kms

Match Ticket

B100. 

Programme

None available.

Club Shop

Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit the club shop. Our coach was corralled on to a car park behind the away end, which was on the opposite side of the stadium.

Away End

A rather perilous scaffolding and wooden structure with an obstructed view (wherever you sat), very little leg room and no roof. The "stand" ran down about half the touchline and continued behind the dead ball line. There was space to stand on the concrete walkway at the front and many of our fans chose this option.

Staff

The ticket sellers were very friendly and shared a joke with the people in our party. They also directed us to the correct entrance. The security guards were low key to say the least but seemed friendly enough. However, when they were most needed - during the disturbances after the match - they, along with the local constabulary - who had been standing on the running track throughout the game - where about as effective as a chocolate fireguard. There didn't appear to be any restrictions as to what you could take inside the ground - they didn't even search my bag - but I believe cans and glass bottles were forbidden.

Food

Plenty of stalls in the street outside the away end. Usual sausages, pork balls, chicken on a stick etc on sale.

Beer

Three cans of Leo for B100, which the vendors helpfully poured into plastic glasses so we could take it into the stadium. A large bottle of Leo from the same stall cost B65.

Overall Experience

The whole experience was like a fairy tale...Grim! The miserable weather didn't help, especially as we were on a stand that was exposed to the elements and had a lousy view of a terrible game. The ineffectiveness of the security guards and local police hardly inspired confidence and if it hadn't been for the trip to the floating market earlier in the day, this would have been a thoroughly rotten excursion.