NEW!! Interview With Sven Beyrich: 2020

Here's my exclusive interview with Sven Beyrich, who has contributed to spreading the word about Thai football in German and English. He curated the Thai Fussball website for almost a decade, and is someone who I am proud to call a good friend.

Please can you start by introducing yourself

My name is Sven. I’m a mid-forty-year-old who spends way too much of his time, energy and money with football and travelling.

How did you first get interested in Thai football?

That’s a long story. But to keep it short, more or less due to my travels to Thailand.

How did you get your information about Thai football in those days?

Back in the days mostly from the old Thaifootball board.

Why and when did you decide to start a Thai football website?

That was in 2009. Initially I just wanted to share some basic information about Thai football in German by translating articles I found. But it soon changed as I realized I could create my own content, add some fixtures, standings and so on.

How long did it run?

More or less, with some regular content and updates, until 2017/18 I would say. However, the website is still online, as I haven’t really had the time yet to take it down.

What kind of items did you feature on your site?

News, views, interviews, reportage. Fixtures and tables as I already said. Everything from youth football, Futsal to women’s football, leagues and cup competitions.

Which aspects did you enjoy doing the most?

Hm. I would say almost every aspect? But certainly, meeting the people, talking to them, getting insides and get a look behind the scenes. Although the latter sometimes was a downer. You just knew too much. And I think there is no difference to a journalist reporting on football in Europe. There are things you don’t want to know (as a fan of football). On the other hand, at some point, I took reporting seriously and tried to follow principles of journalism. Not coming from this field and doing so, was something that I enjoyed too. Not to forget the recognition I received, having my five minutes of fame here and there.

How did you promote your site?

I never really did any big promotion. I just distributed the content via social media channels like Facebook or Twitter. However, the figures weren’t that bad. I think I closed the Facbook channel at a number of around 20.000 followers if not more. On Twitter it’s still 12.000.

How much time - on average - did you spend on your projects?

In the early years I’ve spend about 40 hours a week on the website. This included watching as many games as possible via dodgy and shaky streams.

What cooperation did you get from clubs, players, coaches, Thai league etc?

None from official sites like the league or clubs. Everything was down to our own connections, networks and having met the people involved. But everyone we talked to was great, open and helpful. Fans, players and coaches. I think it hasn’t really changed nowadays. Most of the people I’ve met where down to earth and just happy that someone where interested in them and Thai football.

What help did you get with your site?

Two people are to mention here. One is Willi, some know him as a Pattaya United fan, and the other one was Falk, a Muangthong United fan. Both were or and are familiar names within their fan scene respectively. Both were in Thailand while I sat in Germany for most of the time. And they helped me with gathering information’s, contributed their own articles and conducted interviews.

What was the reaction from fans to your site?

Mostly great and overwhelming. When I started the project, I never ever dreamed of that so many people, especially Germans, could be so interested in Thai football. I’m sure that I did my part to bring Thai football on the map and that is something I think I can be proud of. It will be part of life forever.

How hard was it to write articles in German and English?

That was really one of the toughest parts I have to say. I never was the best in school when it came to German, neither to English. Especially with the grammar. And you know that we bloody Germans always have the tendency to be perfect.

Why did you decide to write in both languages?

I started in German first. But at some point, I noticed that people started to translate the articles into English or other languages with the help of a translator. Back in the days the online-translators weren’t as good as they are now. So, I thought that even with my poor English I could do a better job than the online-translators.

There is now so much more English content available, what part do you like to think you played in initiating this?

I would say creating an interest for it. Because with lowering the language barrier, more and more people got interested in it and could follow it. But to be fair, it wasn’t only me. It’s was and is still you, Dale. As well as some other guys like Paul, Paul, Malky, Matt, Nigel and others. Last year I’ve met Gabriel Tan in Munich who is now writing for Fox Sports in Asia. He told me that I was inspiration for him. And that was probably one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever got.

What is the funniest thing that happened to you during your involvement with your site?

Funny? Nothing that springs to my mind. But a lot of interesting stories and moments I have great memories of. A lot of them are connected with Björn Lindemann and his time in Thailand. Oh. Wait. It might have nothing to do with the website, but that one night when you were talking to Brian outside the Chonburi Stadium about toilets in England. That was really funny and still amuses me till today.

What are you up to now?,

Still busy with football, of course. I’m the co-host of a German women’s football podcast and I’m in to sports photography. My interested for women’s football and that I’m in to sports photography are nothing that came out of the blue though. Both are things that simply evolved out of the work for the website. And occasionally I feature on The Guardian, the BBC or other outlets with my expertise on women’s, Thai and Asian football. One could say, I always had my niche and still find new ones I can explore, enjoy and help it to grow. Or even where I can help with my expertise. Haha.

Do you still follow Thai football?

I do. As much as I can. Time provided. But of course, mostly via Twitter. The Twitter channel of thaifussballde is still active, but I have to admit, that with the current COVID19 situation, I completely lost the connection to Thai football and I find it hard to get back in and tweet news about it. On the other hand, there are so many channels right now, there is no need for me to be added to the mix.

If you were starting out now what would you do differently?

Not much I would say. Maybe a website that is more modern and easily adjustable when it needs to be changed to stay modern. That was really a problem with the software the website was running on. It was a secure and fast system, but hardly maintained and adjusted to be with the time.

Is there anything you regret not doing during your time involved with the site?

No. I covered two Thai FA Cup finals. The latest one with Port winning it 10 years after I started the site and the club winning it for the first time for 10 years. I was at the Asian Cup in the Emirates last year as well at the women’s world cup in France. It rounded the things up well for me.

Do you miss it and would you ever consider doing it again?

No and no. But that’s simply not because I don’t wouldn’t do it again. It’s simply because time and life go on. The dogs bark, but the caravan passes. So, to say. 

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I had a great time covering Thai football over the years. I met so many interesting people I’ve never could dream of before. And that means all people I’ve met involved with the game. Be it coaches, fans or others. The time around last year’s Cup Final was an eye opener for me as I have met so many people that I’ve met over the past years. It was a great time and much fun. It just reminded me of how many friends I’ve made over the time in Thailand. And that certainly will always get me back to the country and go to football matches and meet all those people as much as I can. And of course, I still need and want to meet all the new kids on the block. Be it Wellywolf, Phil, Jimmy, Gian and others.

Binh Duong 2-0 Chonburi - Match Report: 2009

AFC Cup 

2nd Round

Binh Duong 2-0 Chonburi (4-2 aggregate)

Attendance: 18,000

Wednesday 30th September, 2009

Match Report

by Michael Byrne

Everybody had been looking forward to the game and there was a really good vibe around the camp. The weather wasn't too warm when we arrived and it looked as if it we were going to have perfect conditions in which to play. However, on the day of the match it just rained non stop. 

During our warm up the pitch was wet but still looked like it would have played well. But just as we were returning to the dressing room prior to kick off the heavens opened. I've never experienced rain like that before! 

Obviously this downpour meant that the conditions were terrible, especially for a team like Chonburi because we like get the ball down and play it on the floor. This was difficult to do with so much water on the surface. 

The game itself was a typical Oldham Athletic against Wimbledon affair...long ball after long ball. I'm only joking, but both teams did seem to knock a lot of long balls into areas in and around the boxes. 

I felt that we were the better side by far in the first half. We created the most chances and had one really good effort from Kriangkrai saved by the keeper. In the second half it was a different story. The tables turned and it was Bihn Duong who were dominating. 

Sinthaveechai was my man of the match. He made several important saves in conditions which were really difficult for him. And his handling was impeccable all night. 

Naturally we were all disapointed to lose the game but I believe on a dry pitch I think the outcome would have been different.

Thai Port 1-2 Chonburi - Match Report: 2010

TPL

Thai Port 1-2 Chonburi

PAT Stadium

Attendance: 3,504

Wednesday 29th September, 2010

Match Report by Kevin Watkin

Chonburi FC defeated Thai Port FC 2-1 in an entertaining match at PAT Stadium. Played in front of 3,500 fans, the game started at a high tempo, with both sides keen to attack. Port looked more in control, as they were getting better balls in to the box, while Chonburi's first few forays ended with offside flags. A 20-minute torrential downpour that began about the 15 minute mark, altered the flow of the game. Players were forced to scoop the ball in front the instead of dribbling, passes along the ground stopped short on the waterlogged surface, and lofted balls skidded, making control difficult. The entertainment value was not lost, however, as both teams were able to alter their style of play, and the end-to-end nature of the match continued.

Somewhat surprisingly, Chonburi took the lead in the 23rd minute. A free kick just inside the Port half was played short to Suree Sukha, who slipped past a defender and in to the penalty area, before playing a cross to the near post, where Pipop Onmo slotted in from 6 yards. Thai Port spent most of the remaining time in the first half searching for an equaliser. The rain eased off in the second half, but the pitch conditions remained the same. While both teams still looked to attack, Port still were creating more opportunities and seemed more desperate to get into the game. Jakrit and Pongpipat were combining particularly well down the left flank.

However, it was again Chonburi who were first to find the net. A through ball for Pipop forced Port 'keeper Munze to come charging out and slide accross the turf in an attempt to win the ball. Pipop reached the ball first, and pushed it past Munze, then fell over the sliding goalie. I was about as far away as it was possible to be from the incident (at the other end and on the opposite side), but it seemed there was minimal contact. Ney Fabiano converted the spot kick, making it 2-0 after an hour.

5 minutes later, another penalty was awarded, this time to Port. I had a better view this time, albeit from the other side of the pitch, and thought this one was soft too. A Port player knocked the ball past a Chonburi defender, who stuck out a leg, and it appeared to me Port player simply flopped over it. Sarayoot Chaikamdee scored to make it 2-1. This seemed to finally get Chonburi going and they had two near misses not long after, hitting the bar, and having a goal disallowed for one of the more bizarre offside incidents you'll see.

A corner was partially cleared, before a Chonburi player smashed in a shot from just outside the box. Munze dived for it, and got his hands to the ball, but there was enough power in the shot to take it past him. On another day, it would have continued into the net, but Munze's touch forced the ball to bounce in the 6-yard box, where it got stuck in the mud, and trickled towards the line. Ney Fabiano, in an offside position (and aware of this), waited over the ball, but it stopped short. He tapped it in, and was flagged. (I initially thought he was just time-wasting). Port also pressed hard for an equaliser, and went close couple of times, also hitting the bar. In the end, Chonburi held on for the win. Overall, it was a good game, despite the conditions. Port will feel disappointed that they didn't get a point for their efforts.

As a side note, it was refreshing to see a referee quickly dealing out at least 3 yellow cards for time-wasting by Chonburi (though to be fair, they weren't bad by Thai standards). He was also prepared to send players to the sideline for treatment instead of stopping the match. And he was consistent - he did it in the first 10 minutes, and again in the last 10 minutes.

Interview With Mano Polking: 2017

My post match interview with Bangkok Utd coach, Mano Polking, after his side had tonked us 7-2 in August, 2017.

Q - Congratulations on your win. Very disappointing from our perspective, but well deserved.

Thanks, Dale. It was a great win for sure and we are very happy.

 

Q - What were your expectations before the match? Certainly not a 7-2 win?

We expected to win the game, but  knew that Chonburi can always be dangerous. However, in the end, it was easier than expected.

 

Q - What were your tactics for the match and what instructions did you give your players?

As usual, our plan was to control the midfield, especially when the opponents is are playing 4-4-2, with clear wingers, like Chonburi. Things changed a bit with the absence of Kroerkrit. My first job was to talk to Mika, and tell him  that Prince probably will not track him back, so he should stay wide and go forward. We created a lot of chances from his side, and we still had a 4 vs 3 in midfield. That was the plan. The truth is, that at the moment, the team is playing so well and so confidently that, as a coach, I should not say much. Just give advice on how the opponents are playing and tell them to enjoy the game!

 

Q - You clearly knew of our weaknesses, and exploited them mercilessly. What research had you done into Chonburi before kick off?

Analyzing our opponents always starts with Luis my analyst from Portugal. I also like to watch their last two games. So we were very prepared for the match.

 

Q - At times it looked so easy for you. How do you keep your players motivated during such a one sided game?

The motivation for my players is always the same. We know each other so well. They know that I always want to win and always want to score goals.

Q - Chatting with my mates in the away end, we felt that you could have scored more. Are you disappointed that you didn't?

Of course we should have scored more and the last 30 minutes were disappointing for me. After going 5-0 up, we started to joke around and that's not good.

 

Q - I have to ask: What did you think of Chonburi's performance?

Chonburi started the game well, but after we made it 2-0, they didn't find solutions anymore and looked like they didn’t believe they could come back. We were dominating the game and creating chance after chance.

 

Q - What did you say to your players after the match?

After the match I congratulated my players for the amazing performance. Wished them a good break, told them to enjoy some days off, recharge the batteries and be prepared for the important games ahead.

Q - What did you say to Therdsak after the match?

I wished him good luck for the rest of the season.

Q - Your fans must be buzzing after yesterday’s win. Do you have a message for them?

I can just urge them to keep coming to help us and to cheer for us.

 

Q - And for the slightly less happy Chonburi fans?

I can only tell them to keep believing. I wish they could come back in big numbers, like in previous seasons when the stadium was almost full. Sitting in sixth is not a bad position, and with home games to come, they could end the season higher.

 

Q - Finally, you are now serious title contenders. Can you win the league?

It is still very difficult for us to win the title, but we will fight for it. We are still paying a high price for our bad start. Catching Buriram Utd and Muang Thong Utd will not be easy because they are the two most powerful clubs in the league.But I can say that at the moment we are playing really good football and getting stronger game by game. We just want to continue like that and then let's see what happens at the end.

Chonburi 5-1 Bangkok Utd - Match Report: 2009

TPL

Chonburi 5-1 Bangkok Utd

Princess Srindhorn Stadium

Attendance 3,663

Saturday 2nd May, 2009

As comfortable as the scoreline suggests. We scored in the first few minutes and then sat back as Utd created a few decent chances before deservedly equalising. However, this seemed to wake up our players and we took back the initiative.

A great solo goal by Nattapong put us 2-1 at half time. A good finish by Kone early in the second half put the result beyond doubt and then the only question was - how many would we score?

We needed to win by a three goal margin to go top (for 24 hours at least) and a super strike by Arthit made it 4-1. We then had a goal disallowed -offside? I couldn't see from the opposite end of the ground.

However, there was still enough time for Anderson to come off the bench to grab the fifth and send us all home happy.

Apart from the result, the highlight for me was seeing Adul return to action. He showed a few good touches in the twenty minutes or so that he was on the pitch.

A large (well behaved) turnout - how nice it is to see all four sides of the ground populated - and a good performance from the team helped to put the problems of the last difficult week behind us.

Roll on next Sunday! 

NEW!! Thai Talent Drain by Alan Gibson: 2020

Thai Talent Drain 

by Alan Gibson

Looking in from the outside, it appears that the Thai league has much to be concerned about with the increased overseas interest in their players. Apart from the talent drain, mainly to Japan recently - hence my "involvement", there is, of course, the problem that so many involved in the local game may be lining their own pockets. too (a different story completely, of course and one that should be pursued further, separately).

There is possibly, however, the consolation that the national team will grow in experience and stature (and I'm sure my old sparring partner Akira Nishino, as Thai national team manager, will be preferring it this way. He is passionate, knowledgeable about the game and not afraid to have a go at the referee - hence my use of "sparring partner" there, as I refereed many Gamba Osaka training matches when he was manager there! But I digress, as is often the case).

The J.League was in the same position 15 or so years ago - and still is to some extent - with a loss of local talent, mostly to Germany. We have seen the league lose its best players regularly, but the national team has undoubtedly improved.

I can fully understand the problems that the Thai league is currently facing. Firstly, consider the imports - and no offence is meant to these players - but, for example, many of the Brazilians that play in Thailand are there after Europe, the Arab states, China, Brazil itself, the J.League, and probably Korea have all had their choice first.

So, in this respect, they can be considered, for whatever reason, 6th-rate Brazilians. Are they as good as the best that young Thailand has to offer? Are they keeping out young Thai talent from the league? I've asked this same question numerous times over two decades in Japan. The (mostly) Brazilian imports - three for each team - were often not really that good - except for the standouts that we remember. 

They were (are?) often players who were not necessarily improving and adding to the game in Japan, and, for me, hampered the progress of young Japanese players. For every Zico, Leonardo, Amaral, Lucas, Hulk or Sidiclei - to name but a few of the classy Brazilians that have graced our game - there were dozens of no-name players who came along because agents had influence, or teams lacked scouting and just took what they saw on video.

For me, the foreign imports that have come to Japan as nobodies, and given (or are giving) their all, becoming fan favourites and contributing to the game itself, are to be applauded and embraced - and I can think of many - but a multitude of them just fall by the wayside, after already killing off some local talent on the way by just being at the club in their position, and getting priority because they were foreign imports.

Of course the counter view is that the players who were being kept out of the teams had to work harder to improve, or were never good enough in the first place. But I didn't see it that way. The up and coming players had less opportunity, which meant that some lost their chance or their confidence and just quit the game. A huge loss in the end, to the Japanese footballing pyramid.

Thailand needs to work on young, Thai players to come in and replace those going overseas. Then when those who have been plying their trade abroad return, embrace them and use their experience to help others grow.

In the meantime, the Thai national team should be improving and you can be sure that a great manager is in place to help with that!

Alan Gibson - JSoccer Magazine editor

Al Shorta 2-4 Chonburi - Match Report: 2012

AFC Cup - Quarter Final

Al Shorta 2-4 Chonburi (Agg: 4-5)

Venue: Prince Mohammad International Stadium, Zerqa City, Jordan

Attendance: 200

Wednesday 26th September, 2012

Match Report

AL SHORTA 2-4 CHONBURI (aet)

by www.the-afc.com

Brazilian striker Thiago Cunha bagged a hat-trick which included two crucial goals in extra-time as Chonburi of Thailand came from behind to beat Syrian champions Al Shorta 4-2 on Wednesday to reach the AFC Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Chonburi trailed 2-1 on aggregate after losing at home in the first leg of the quarter-final but they turned the match around when captain Pipob On-mo and Thaigo scored late in the first half of the return match at the Prince Mohammad International Stadium in Zarqa, Jordan.

Oday Al Jafal got Al Shorta back on level terms with a penalty in the second half and Ali Ghalioum, who had earlier missed another penalty, appeared to have won the tie for the Syrian club when he scored three minutes into extra time.

But Thiago scored again in the 111th minute to level things once again and he then completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to seal a memorable 5-4 aggregate win for the Thai club.

Having been eliminated in the quarter-finals twice in the past three years, Chonburi can now look forward to a semi-final against Iraqi champions Arbil with the first leg in Iraq next Tuesday.

Al Shorta’s win in Thailand meant that Chonburi had to score twice in the return match to avoid elimination and they began in positive fashion with Thiago forcing a good save out of goalkeeper Mahmoud Karkar with a ninth minute header.

However, it was the Syrians who had the better goal-scoring chances early on as Al Jafal headed wide of an open goal and then hit the woodwork twice in two minutes.

Their best opportunity to extend their lead arrived in the 32nd minute when goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool’s challenge on Ghalioum resulted in a penalty. But the midfielder’s attempt to outwit Sinthaweechai from the spot backfired as his weak chip was easily gathered by the Chonburi goalkeeper.

Ghalioum would have more reason to rue that miss as Chonburi scored twice in three minutes to turn the tie on its head.

Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng played a big part in the first goal in the 35th minute, breaking clear on the right flank and drawing Karkar off his line before squaring the ball to Pipob who initially mis-controlled the pass but recovered in time to slam his shot into the net.

The Thais then went ahead thanks to some quick thinking by Thiago. Hamdi Al Massri tried to dribble past the Brazilian on the right flank but when Pipob nipped in to tackle the Al Shorta defender, the ball squirmed free to Thiago, who alertly spotted Karkar off his goalline and sent an accurate lob from 30 metres into the unguarded net.

Al Shorta were able to regain their poise after the half-time break and they were given the opportunity to level the score when the referee awarded them a second penalty after Geilson went down in the box after a challenge by Fode Diakite.

Al Jafal made no mistake this time, blasting the ball past Sinthaweechai to make it 3-3 on aggregate.

Choburi had a great chance to win the match in regulation time but Jetsadakorn opted to pass to Thiago rather than shoot when he was sent clear on goal.

And that miss appeared costly when Al Shorta scored again three minutes into extra-time. Geilson centred the ball from the right of the Chonburi box to Ghalioum, who controlled the ball on the edge of the six-yard box before despatching it past Sinthaweechai’s despairing dive.

Chonburi were not about to throw in the towel though and they would take a 3-2 lead in the game and level the aggregate score once again in the 111th minute when Thiago fired home after Arthit Sunthornphit’s free-kick from the right had been headed back across goal by Chonlatit Jantakam.

It would have meant a penalty shootout if the score had remained that way as away goals do not count in extra-time in the AFC Cup. But in stoppage time, Thiago sealed the win for the Thais as he fired past Karkar at his near post after a delightful through pass had sent him clear of the Al Shorta defence.

NEW!! Police Tero Compilation LP: 2020

Here's my Police Tero compilation lp to get you in the mood for today's match

SIDE ONE

I Fought The Law : The Clash

The Cops Are Coming : The Outcasts

Police On My Back : The Equals

Police And Thieves : Junior Murvin

Caught By The Fuzz : Supergrass

New York City Cops : The Strokes

SIDE TWO

O.G. Original Gangster : Ice T

God's Cop : Happy Mondays

Watching The Detectives : Elvis Costello

C.I.D. : UK Subs

Law And Order : Stiff Little Fingers 

Thirst : American TV Cops 

Interview With Seth Amponsah: 2016

My interview with Chonburi fan, Seth Twum Amponsah, from 8th August, 2016

Q - Please can you introduce yourself

I am Seth Twum Amponsah. I 28 years of age and come from Ghana. I am a police officer.

 

Q - How long have been supporting Chonburi and what first got you interested?

I have been supporting the club for the past three years and first got interested by the club’s history and the logo.

 

Q - How do you follow the club's fortunes?

I follow through websites and watch games on the internet.

 

Q - What do you think of our season so far?

The season hasn't been that bad. Considering the finances at the club, the guys are doing their best.

 

Q - What have been the highlights?

The highlight is our progress in the FA Cup.

 

Q - And the low points?

And the low point is the 9-0 loss to Tokyo in the AFC Champions League qualifier.

 

Q - What do you think that the club does well?

The club does well in giving chances to the academy boys

 

Q - And what improvements would you like to see at Chonburi?

Chonburi FC should improve the stadium and the training pitch.

 

Q - You mentioned the highlight of the season as being our FA Cup run, do you think we can go all the way and win it?

Looking at the remaining teams, I think winning the FA Cup will be difficult, but anything is possible in football.

 

Q - How pleased are you to see your brother, Prince, being successful this season?

I am pleased to see my younger brother being successful at a club like Chonburi FC and I wish him the best.

 

Q - Please can you give us some information about his background.

Prince started playing football at a very tender age. He played in the school team so many times and he also played for a colts club. Later he joined the junior side of Amidaus professional football club. Coach Chris, now the head coach of Sakaeo FC, spotted him and brought him to Thailand. However, after having trials with teams like Thai Honda, Samutprakan and Kadnapho fc - where they saw him as a talented player - he failed to get registered, due to his small size. Luckily, Phanthong FC took him on and nurtured him.

 

Q - How closely do the people in your community follow his progress?

Prince is being followed closely by the local community and the country at large is monitoring his progress.

 

Q - What do you think he can go on to achieve?

Prince can go on to achieve a lot for himself and the club as a whole, when he is given the opportunity.

 

Q - Are there any stories of Prince that you can share with us?

For Prince stories, I would have to write a whole book! So please let’s leave that for another time.

 

Q - How often do you contact him?

We talk on the phone everyday. Any time I get the opportunity to watch his game via the internet, we dissect the game and I tell him his mistakes and what he should do the next time, when giving the opportunity to play.

 

Q - What has he said about his fantastic start at Chonburi?

He is very happy about his good start and he prays it will continue to get better.

 

Q - Have you any plans to come over and watch him - and the team?

Yes. I am planning on taking some days off work to come watch him and the team play.

 

Q - Would you like to send a message to the Chonburi fans?

I would like to tell the Chonburi fans they should always support the club in all situations. This season is a transitional one when every supporter needs to come to the matches and watch their favourite club play. By so doing, next season will be better.

 

Q - Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you  for this opportunity to talk about Chonburi FC and my brother.

Jadet Concedes The Title: 2010

JADET CONCEDES THE TITLE 

25th September, 2010

Jadet Meelarp has admitted that it is now highly unlikely that Chonburi can still win the TPL title. Speaking after today's disappointing, and frustrating, draw against Navy Rayong, the coach all but conceded the championship to Muang Thong Utd. 

"It will be very difficult for us to win the league now. Muang Thong have to lose at least two more matches for us to have any chance and that is more or less impossible. They are a good side, with some great players and good management." 

Jadet went on to say that he thought Chonburi needed to make a few changes at the end of the season. The quality of overseas signings being one of the priorities.

However, he did promise the fans that we would now be concentrating on winning the FA cup and the League Cup. "We are still in two cup competitions so we will be going all out to win them. We want to win trophies."

NEW!! Interview With Nigel Baine: 2020

My interview with Nigel Baine, who started Thailand's first independent English language site dedicated to covering Thai football, in 2009.

Please can you introduce yourself

My name is Nigel, I’m from Australia. Previously I spent 15 years living in Thailand.  

How did you first get interested in Thai football?

The first time I became aware of the Thai League was in September 2008. At that time I lived in Ayutthaya. There was a match on whilst I was visiting my gym located under the main stand of the local football ground. There was a bit of noise coming from the stand above so I went out to have a look. A crowd of about 500 was watching a game which appeared to be taken a little more seriously than the regular social fixtures. A man told me it was PEA v Army in the Thai Premier League. I later learnt it was the fourth to last match of the season and the local team PEA, (Faifa Yutthya) were poised to win the league. I managed to persuade a couple of friends to join me for the next 2 home games and the final away game verses Bang Pra, where we lifted the trophy. It was a heady couple of weeks and a lot of fun. Unfortunately for me the club was relocated to Buriram in 2010.  

How did you get your information about Thai football in those days?

The only information I could find was through the official Thai Football Association website and a site called coreballthai, they were both completely in Thai. There was also a forum in English where a few foreigners chatted about the league. I think there were about a dozen of us exchanging news and opinions by the end of 2009.  

Why and when did you decide to start a Thai football website?

I was learning to read Thai so thought it may be fun to start a blog translating info from the Thai websites into English. In 2009 the interest in the league grew so I made the website, thailaeguefootball.com.  

How long did it run for?

I gave up the domain thaileaguefootball.com in 2019. It ran for approximately 10 years.  

What kind of things did you feature on your site?

Originally the website just had news (translated from Thai news websites), fixtures and results. As time went on I met some of the foreign managers and players so I included interviews with them. Later I got help from some other football enthusiasts.  

How did you promote your site?

In the beginning I just posted in the odd forum to promote the site. As the league became more professional I felt the need to get the word out so I got a little adventurous. At the Liverpool v Thailand match in 2009 I joined up with Dale outside the Rajamangla stadium to distribute fliers to every white face we could see.  

Some Thai media picked up on what I was doing. They were mystified as to why a foreigner would be interested in Thai football when the European game is so much stronger. I appeared in A-Day magazine, True Sport TV and in an article for Matichon. When interviewed I talked about benefits sports culture has for a country, how I was excited to see it grow and in my small way be part of it.  

How much time - on average - did you spend on your projects?

Probably too much. There was always more news than what could be translated so I kept pretty busy. It was a consuming project for a few years. My girlfriend at the time, Kassie helped lots.  

Which aspects did you enjoy doing the most and why?

I think the best thing, (along with the game of football) was the community. Almost all of the English speaking fans were supportive of each other in the spirit of the game. I also enjoyed practicing Thai and using it for something which other people found useful.  

Who else helped you with the project and what did they do?

From about 2011 there were some people who helped with Thai League Football, they raised its standard as a media platform. With a photographic memory and brilliant Thai ability, Kevin Watkin from New Zealand ran our twitter account. Scotsman, Malcolm Imray wrote regular articles summarizing the weekend action. Matt Riley from England started many great media projects. Joseph Edmed was a half Thai, half English photographer.  Later, in 2017 you, (Dale) helped make an awesome weekly podcast along with Gian Chansrichawla. Welsh/Thai player Mika Chunounsee also joined with some media projects. Paul Murphy also sent some articles in although have never had the chance to meet him in person.  

How did you recruit these people?

Most of the people were already posting things online, I asked if they wanted to join the site. Joseph, I met whilst I was working for a photograph company outside of football. You, Dale introduced me to Gian. I met Matt at a Muangthong game.  

What co-operation did you get from clubs, players, coaches, Thai league etc?

The foreigners in the clubs were always willing to chat as they were somewhat shut out of the Thai media due to the language barrier. Some Thais were helpful, but it was mostly difficult to work with them. Sometimes I think they were suspicious of my intentions.  

What is the funniest thing that happened to you during your involvement with your site?

Probably the funniest thing was the constant assumption that I was a football player. I was in my early 30’s so I guessed I looked the part. Every Thai person I spoke to decided I was a player as they couldn’t comprehend why else I would be involved in the Thai League. The profile of the league was very small.

If you were starting out now what would you do differently?

I think I would pay more attention to the history of the league in Thailand. A lot has happened in the league in the past which adds meaning going forward. Also I would probably be a little more careful about the projects I got involved in and who I worked with, but it’s all part of the learning process. I could have done some things much better if I didn’t let myself get distracted by too many projects.  

There is now so much more English content available, what part do you like to think you played in initiating this?

I don’t know if I played a huge part in the content that is available now. Thai football is now mainstream so I am sure it’s inevitable foreigners would be busy creating content. I did however notice many English language podcasts started shortly after we began ours. I’d love to see live facebook “pundit podcasts” pre match, half time and post-match to tune into and listen to live reactions.

You shot a TV pilot. What happened to this?

Not really sure. There were always lots of promises from T-Sport and SMM Sport, but nothing really eventuated. I remember shooting a football talk show pilot with Mika Chunounsee, Douglas Cobo and Matt Riley. I have no idea where that is these days (I have a copy - ed).  

What are you up to now?

Now I live in Australia where I work in a school. Karma gave me a wife from Buriram, (the city that stole my club). We have a 5 year old boy who is the main focus of life these days. I plan to return to Thailand every 2 years or so for a visit and the odd game. The last time I was in Thailand was January, I took my wife and son to the Thailand v Australia game. Maybe further down the track I will return to live in the country.  

Do you still follow Thai football?

Yes, I’ve never stopped following the league. It’s easy to do as games are live online and many Thai League enthusiasts are ever present on Twitter. My team, Ayutthaya FC are currently in the third tier. Mostly I just enjoy following the league, I’m optimistic about its future. I’m looking forward to the seeing what happens in the new site thaileaguecentral.com.  

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

When I first watched the Thai League I was not really a football fan, just a general sports fan. Now my interest in sport is almost exclusively in football and tennis. Last weekend I joined about 200 fans to watch the local team play here in the Australia, this is wholly due to my time in Thai football.  

Thanks for the chance to share my story.  

NEW!! Fitting In With The Crowd by Phil Williams: 2020

Fitting in with the Crowd

by Phil Williams

Last Sunday, Samut Prakan City played away at Muangthong United, with my wife and I in attendance as part of the travelling contingent.

During the half-time interval, we were enjoying a soft drink behind the stand, when a beefy arm swung across my shoulder. It belonged to a Samut Prakan fan I had never spoken to before but recognised as a ‘drummer’ - one of a group of hardcore fans who go to most home and away games, drink copious amounts of beer and then during the 90 minutes of football, bang drums, sing into megaphones and wave enormous flags, often with their backs to the actual pitch.

The drummer asked to have a photo taken of he and I together. Afterwards, he patted me on the chest, turned to my wife and said “Mr Phil is a Samut Prakan super fan. He’s one of us” And that was pretty much the end of the conversation. Because actually, I’m not one of them and I never will be.

There are about 40-50 of these hardcore fans who I’m friendly with. We nod our hellos or ‘wai’ each other in various fan zones before each match, we follow each other on Facebook, we sometimes click the ‘like’ button, and we occasionally take selfies together. But I never truly feel part of the group. I will always be something of a novelty, a strange oddity if you like, - one of the few foreigners who goes to watch Samut Prakan play.

I don’t even know any of their names. To me they are ‘top boy’, ‘the girl with the hoopy ear-rings’, ‘the woman in the purple baseball cap’, ‘the Muslim couple’ and ‘the paper-thrower’. They refer to me as ‘Phil’ or ‘William’ if they’ve looked at my Facebook page and been unable to distinguish my first name from my second.

I’ve thought long and hard about why our match day relationships only go so far because I’m fascinated by the whole topic of social interaction. I’m convinced it’s not a language issue. Although I’m yet to hear one of them brave enough to attempt a sentence or two in English, I speak enough Thai to hold a decent conversation. But I don’t really know what to say because we haven’t been successful in establishing a ‘common ground’.

I’ve tried going the Thai football route.

“What about Buriram losing at home last week?”

“Did you see Ibson Melo’’s fantastic goal for Sukhothai?”

“Do you think Chiang Rai will win the league again this year?”

These are opening conversational gambits that have all fallen on stony ground as they say in the good book. The interest just doesn’t seem to be there. In a Thai football pub quiz, I’m not sure I’d want them anywhere near my team.

What about the boring small talk stuff? I’m talking about the mind-numbing questions such as ‘how did you get to the match today?’ or ‘who have you come with?’ Naaah, I just can’t ask those questions and manage to sound interested at the same time. And if they answer with ‘three of us came in a car’ I’ve then got to come up with a supplementary question. I could ask what colour the car was I suppose.

Not unexpectedly, I’ve had minor successes with shifting the conversation towards the English Premier League. If I know someone is a Liverpool or Man United fan, chances are always good of getting a reaction to ‘who do you think will win the Manchester or Merseyside derby?’

But I’ve always had a problem with taking the easy and obvious way out. I like challenges.

It’s a cultural issue isn’t it? A cultural gap that can’t be bridged.

Like many of you reading this, I grew up going to football matches in England. The match day experience followed a ritualistic pattern. You sipped a pre-match pint in the pub whilst watching Football Focus on the big screen TV. On the walk to the ground you’d stop on the footpath to peruse a vendor’s wares to see if he had any interesting lapel badges. You flicked through the match day programme and scoffed chips and curry sauce off a polystyrene tray with a wooden chip fork. You goaded the away fans and sang obscene songs at the well-endowed blonde piece as she made her way gingerly down the touchline.

But once the game kicks off, unless you’re a hooligan purely there for a tear up, you give that match your 100% undivided attention. The match itself is what everything else has been leading up to, and whether your team wins, draws or loses – the result matters! It defines your mood for the following couple of days.

I’m not convinced that the outcome of a game matters that much to Samut Prakan fans and therein lies the rub. I’ve witnessed the first team get cheered and applauded off the pitch after the kind of performance where had I been the manager, I’d have made the starting eleven, along with the two substitutes, fucking walk home.

I once made the grave mistake of saying exactly this on the unofficial Samut Prakan fan page. It came after a 5-2 defeat at Ratchaburi when we had been 2 goals up at one stage. My negative comments were deleted within minutes. You just don’t criticize your team in public, not in Thai culture anyway – and I found that out the hard way.  

For Thai fans, is the final result as important as it is to us foreigners? Or are the beers, the drums, the flags and the chance to be among friends what really count? This is what I still can’t grasp.

At risk of coming across as a tad snobbish, I’ve never taken the supporters club coach to an away game. I may enjoy it, but then again I might not. I’m scared to take the risk. I might be left sitting alone with everyone else on board afraid to talk to me. I’d be the scowling farang at the rear of the bus, analyzing today’s team line-up while everyone else munches meat-on-a-stick, guzzles beer from cans and discusses reputable money lenders. Who gives a toss about the team line-up?  

But I’m in no way resentful. I secretly enjoy my minor celebrity status as one of the few foreign faces down at Bang Plee and usually the only pale-faced Westerner at away games.

But if I truly want to fit in, the only solution is to get meself a drum.

Thailand Stadium Floodlights - Photos: 2018

Chonburi Stadium 2018

Khao Plong Stadium, Chainat 2018

Dragon Stadium, Ratchaburi 2018

Leo Stadium, Pathum Thani 2018

Navy Stadium, Sattahip 2018

Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit 2018

Thupatemi Royal Thai Air Force Sports Stadium, Pathum Thani 2018

Nong Prue Stadium 2018

Boonyachinda Stadium, Lak Si 2018

Suphananburi Stadium 2018

Shameful Chonburi - Video: 2011

LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINAL 2nd LEG

MUANG THONG UTD 0-0 CHONBURI (agg 2-3)

18th September, 2011

After a 3-2 home win in the 1st leg a month earlier, The Sharks travelled to the Thunderdome (aka The Yamaha) knowing that a draw would be good enough to see them through to the semi finals. After the match, Muang Thong Utd blogger, Ben, compiled this video of our supposed "cheating" tactics. Enjoy!

Shameful Chonburi F.C. – Dives, Fouls, and Non-calls

by Ben

Here’s a compilation of all the shenanigans from Sunday night’s (18-9-11) Toyota League Cup match. My fellow fan, Greg  is 100% correct in saying “The TPL and FA Cup and especially the AFC are far more important, and we can benefit from the reduced fixture pile up in these competitions.”

Still, it’s fun to document the silliness.

Comments

zecucumber 

September 22, 2011 at 14:13

What a disgrace. Both Chonburi and the Officials should be shamed. This is a disgrace to Chonburi fans, a disgrace to Thai League and a disgrace to the sport of soccer!

 

Thailand Stadium Floodlights - Photos: 2015 - 2017

Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium 2015

Khao Plong Stadium, Chainat 2015

TOT Stadium, Chaeng Watthana 2015

Samut Sakhon Provincial Central Stadium, 2016

80th Birthday Stadium, Nakorn Ratchasima 2016

Navy Stadium, Sattahip 2016

Nonthaburi Youth Centre Stadium 2016

Thalay Luang Stadium, Sukhothai 2016

Samut Prakan SAT Stadium 2016

Rayong Provincial Stadium 2016

Nong Prue Stadium 2017

Samut Prakan SAT Stadium 2017

Dragon Stadium, Ratchaburi 2017

Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit 2017

Navy Stadium, Sattahip 2017