TPL
Chonburi 2-1 Thai Port
Supachalasai Stadium
18th October, 2009
Protest Planned For Sunday
13/10/09
Chonburi fans are planning to boycott Sunday's final "home" match against Thai Port. The game has been moved to Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok by FAT as a punishment for two fans attacking Siam Gila staff after the last home game at Srindhorn.
Whilst I don't condone the actions of the two supporters I, along with many many others, feel that the penalty is far too harsh. Especially when you consider that other clubs with a history of "crowd trouble" have escaped with nothing more than a small fine and a slap on the wrist. A large number of fans will stay away altogether, but there will be some Chonburi fans travelling to the capital to stand OUTSIDE the stadium whilst the match is in progress. I will be one of them.
Some of those intending to be there have already stated that they will try and encourage Thai Port's fans to join in with the protest. It has been reported that Chonburi will receive none of the gate receipts, but that our share of the takings will go directly to the Football Association of Thailand.
Protest Updates
17/10/09
This morning I spoke with two of the organisers of tomorrow's planned protest at Supachalasai. Here's what they told me.
"Chonburi v Thai Port Tomorrow we are planning to travel to Supachalasai but we will not be going inside the staduim. We are making this stand because the TPL company will get all the ticket money and manage everything to do with match. The Chonburi FC management will not be involved in any of the match organisation.
We, as fans, are going to show our support for the club by protesting outside while the game is being played. We don't want to give any ticket money to DR Vichit or to the TPL company. And we will be visiting the FAT office at the ground, as we have something to present to them.
When the match finishes we will go back to Chonburi. So far we have about 100 Chonburi fans who have promised to come and support our protest. We will all meet up at 1:30pm at a checkpoint in Chonburi and travel to Bangkok in a convoy of private cars and trucks."
Chonburi 2-1 Thai Port
18/10/09
A full report of the protest will be posted tomorrow. It was an amazing emotional occasion and a day I'll never forget. Respect is due to the fifty or so Chonburi fans who spent the first 70 minutes of the match drinking, eating and watching TV (oh yes!!) on the car park before marching into the stadium to be greeted by loud applause. Credit too to the Thai Port fans who came over to offer their support and encouragement. Especially the three lads who stayed with us throughout our boycott.
Photos
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