In September, 2007 I was interviewed by a Thai football fan who lives in Australia. In addition to asking me about Chonburi's progress , he quizzed me on the national team and state of the local game. Here's what I said:
I thought that they did very well. They drew against the eventual champions, Iraq, and were the better side for large parts of the match against Australia. Unfortunately, the same old problems of not being decisive enough in front of goal was Thailand's undoing. If we'd have had Mark Viduka, we would have won the match against the Aussies. On the whole, though, I think that the team can be very proud of its performances.
Do you think a successful domestic football league can lead to a successful national team?
Yes. The lack of organisation in the domestic game certainly affects the national team. I like Charnwit very much, but I think that he needs to get out and see more matches and therefore more players. If the league was more competitive standards would be raised and the national team would benefit. At the moment the Thai team seems like a 'closed shop' where players are picked on reputation and not performance. It will be a long process but FAT need to start doing something now. I remember when Peter Withe was the Thai coach. This was one of the first things that he recognised.
Could you tell me about strength and weakness of Thai football players?
Strengths: Very skillful and comfortable on the ball. Usually Thai players are very fit and also very strong. I like to see Thai teams passing the ball around and the players demonstrating their skills. It always impresses me.
Weaknesses: Suspect temperament. I've noticed that a lot of Thai players give up or lose their cool when things aren't going their way. They also lack a killer instinct. They aren't decisive enough, especially in striking situations. I hate to use the word but they can be a little naive at times. And, maybe lack the background in footballing culture that we are raised with in Europe. This seems to be true in most levels of Thai football.
As an example. When I play with my colleagues against Thai teams we usually fair quite well; winning more than we lose. Even if we are beaten we are never thrashed. When you consider that my team includes two men in their 60's and a couple more in our 40's this is quite an acheivement. The main reason that we are generally successful is that we allow them to play football in areas that we know won't hurt us but we can close them down in the attacking third. A lot of this comes from our knowledge and experience. There is absolutely no doubt that the Thai teams are far more skillful and a lot quicker than us but they don't seem to have the wherewithall to compete. They need to be more ruthless!
I've just realised that the weaknesses seem to outnumber the positives. I hope that doesn't give the wrong impression. I love Thai football!!
Do you think the Thailand national team can progress to the World Cup 2010 qualifying round?
I would love to see it happen. I remember the last time when we got past the first qualifying round. It was a great experience and I would like a repeat. However, as much as I hate to say it, I think that we'll struggle. I hope that I'm wrong!
What do you think standard of Thai referees? Are they good enough?
I don't like criticising referees. They have a very difficult job. I have refereed matches myself and it is not easy. However, I will say that there is room for improvement and somebody should explain the offside laws to the Thai linesmen!!
Do you think it is appropriate for the Thailand head coach to be a non Thai national?
Absolutely! I think that the best person for the job should get it, regardless of where they come from. However,I know that FAT's budget isn't very big and I don't want them blowing it all by paying some foreign coach's salary!!! Likewise, I think a deal like the one they had with the English FA over Peter Withe is probably not a good idea. Look what happened there! For the time being, I think we should stick with Charnvit. He has recently spent some time in England and will hopefully have learnt a few things.
What do you like and do not like about Thai football?
Like: I love the skills of the players. I love the atmosphere at the grounds. I love the genuinely friendly rivalry between supporters. I love the fact that at most grounds it's free admission. I love the fact that I can enjoy a beer whilst watching the match. I think it's great that there is a bond between the players and the fans; certainly this is true at Chonburi. All in all, watching football in Thailand is a fun experience. I love it!!
Dislike: Can I say the lack of organisation and leadership shown by the authorities? This is so frustrating for everyone concerned. I really wish that they'd sort themselves out.
On the pitch, I don't like the tactics that certain clubs employ to waste time!! In two matches this season, I have seen teams have at least 8 (EIGHT!!!) players stretchered off for 'so called' injuries only to have them come running straight back on. I have been playing football for nearly 40 years (admittedly not at a particularly high level) but I have played in only one match when someone was stretchered off. And he had a broken leg! It's one thing that I really can't stand and I wish that the referees and the authorities, would do something about it. Very annoying!
As you know, it is not easy to find football fans in Thailand who are interested in the Thailand Premier League. Why do you think most Thai football fans are interested in local football? How do we solve this problem?
I think mainly three reasons.
1. It's a cultural thing. Growing up in England you are taken to football matches at a very young age and a bond with your club (usually the one nearest to where you are born) is formed. This then stays with you for the rest of your life. It is something that you never lose.
Because most of the clubs in Thailand are company teams or forces teams it is not possible for anyone to really bond with them. Also a lot of teams come and go and even the ones with a bit of history tend to move around. In most other countries, clubs are linked with their local communities and have often played at the same ground for over a hundred years. My club, Oldham Athletic, have played at Boundary Park for 100 years. It's still the same ground that my great grandparents went to to watch football.
2. There is so much football on TV from other countries. People are more interested in what is happening at Old Trafford or Anfield than what is happening just down the road. Manchester United and Liverpool are far more glamorous than Provincial Electrical Authority or Tobacco Monopoly.
3. Lack of advertising and promotion. The authorities and the clubs should be doing a lot more to attract local people. Ridiculous kick off times don't help. Chonburi's next scheduled away match, against Suphanburi, is due to start at 4:00pm.....On a Wednesday!!! I for one will be at work, as I suspect so will many others. Why not have an evening kick off? 7:30 or 7:45? It really doesn't help one little bit.
As for solutions, I can only talk for my own club but I think we have got it right. 6:00pm kick offs on Saturdays and Wednesdays (although I think Wednesdays should be later!), lots of advertising around the city, banners in the streets and a couple of cars going round on matchdays advertising the match. And we get children from local schools involved. These are all things that other clubs and FAT should be doing around the country.
For this question, you can say whatever you feel about Thai football in the past, present and future.
The first match I ever went to in Thailand was in March 1997. It was at the National Stadium and we lost 3-1 against South Korea. At the time I thought that Thailand were the better team and were unlucky to lose. Just look at what Korea have acheived over the last 11 years. So, it's not impossible as long as we get the simple things right.
Therefore, I'd like to see:
Progress in all areas. A stronger, better supported, better organised league, with relegation, promotion and play offs, which is more representative of the country as a whole, with clubs named after towns and cities.
A stronger national team who are able to compete with the likes of Japan, South Korea etc.
More coverage of Thai football on Thai TV.
A Thai FA Cup competition (Why isn't there one?!!!) with the final at Rajamangala Stadium.
And, of course, Chonburi FC to win the league and Phaisan to captain Thailand to the next Asian Cup final!!
Could you please say something to convince Thai football fans to start attending football stadium and support their local football club.
Get along to watch your local team. If you admire the passion and skills of the English Premier League you have a chance to recreate that atmosphere and that experience very close to where you live. You will meet some great people and have a wonderful afternoon's entertainment.
Come on Thai football fans. Find a club that is the closest to you, wherever you live, tell a few friends and go along and be a part of it.
Thailand, Su, Su...
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