New! On The Road - Bangkok Utd: 2023

Stadium

Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit

Transport

Car from SriRacha

Cost

Free! (Thanks, Tim!)

Travelling Time (total journey) 

5 hours and 20 minutes - including a visit to Chattachak on the way up.

Total Distance Travelled

332kms

Match Ticket

B200

Programme

None available 

Club Shop

The large mobile club shop was parked outside the main stand and still in use. There were also racks of shirts and souvenirs on sale under an adjacent awning.

Away End

The large section behind the the goal - capacity 5,998 - which we fell short of filling. Contrary to what some would have you believe, the view isn't that bad, but you do feel removed from the action, and it was hard to create any sort of atmosphere.

Staff

Very friendly and helpful. The lady in the ticket office was extremely efficient. I'd ordered four tickets online and they were waiting for me and dispatched without any fuss.

Food

There appeared to be hardly any available at the ground. Probably the poorest selection I've ever encountered in all the years I've been travelling away with Chonburi. Very disappointing. Thankfully, there are numerous street food stalls, cafes and stores just over the main road.

Beer

Nope. As the ground is on a university campus, beer is not on sale. Nor is it stocked in any of the local 7-11s. Thankfully, I found a motorbike taxi driver who took me to a secret location - "knock three times and ask for Suzie" - where the proprietor was happy to take my cash in exchange for six large cans of Chang and three of Leo. Needless to say, we couldn't take it into the stadium.

Highlight of the Day

The whole day was fun - apart from about 95 minutes of it. Great company and many laughs were had. However, the trip to buy alcohol was a standout. I love this country!

Overall Experience

Thammasat is much maligned, but I enjoy my trips there, in spite of our abysmal record. Yesterday was up there with one of the most enjoyable. Thanks Tim, Clare, Osman, Daniel, David, Daniel and David's friend, Kevin and Matthew. It was a pleasure.

New! On The Road - Nongbua Pichaya: 2023

Stadium

Pichaya Stadium, Nongbua Lamphu 

Transport

Car from SriRacha

Cost

B7,200 - car rental

B3,200 - petrol

B140 - tolls

B6,240 - hotels

Total = B16,780

Travelling Time (total journey)

We had some family business in the north east to attend to and also decided to add a little break into the mix - stopping over in Korat (once on the way up and again on the way home), Khon Kaen, Ubon Rattana and Nongbua Lamphu. In total we were away for one week and on the road for 20 hours and 56 minutes.   

Total Distance Travelled

1,113.67kms  

Match Ticket

B200 

Programme

None available.

Club Shop

A trestle table outside the main stand. I didn't look too closely, but they seemed to have very little on sale.

Away End

A small metal structure on the far side, opposite the impressive main stand - which looked completely out of place at the ground and in the rural setting. In spite of its size, there was more than enough space for the 59 Chonburi fans who had made the long trip up to the north east. It reminded me of the away section at Chainat a few years ago.

Staff

Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly. The two guards on "duty" outside the away end were up for a laugh and also helped my wife look for my glasses after she had dropped them from the top of the stand. Thankfully, they were found - otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see to write this report.

Food

All the usual Thai fayre was available outside the ground. I wasn't hungry, but my better half enjoyed her B40 pla muk.

Beer

Only Leo seemed to be available. It was B80 for a large bottle which, when poured into a plastic glass, was allowed inside. I was thirsty.

Highlight of the Day

The pre match buffalo show outside the ground. This was definitely a first for me and I was made to feel welcome by the farmers and their magnificent beasts, as I posed for photographs. Probably a first for them too.

Overall Experience

Brilliant. Result aside, I really enjoyed this trip. Sadly, in spite of our lot's efforts, it still looks like Nongbua Pichaya will go down this season. Which is a real shame. This excursion should be on everyone's "To Do" list. Highly recommended.

New! On The Road - Samut Prakan City: 2022

On The Road - Samut Prakan City

Saturday 26th November, 2022

Stadium

Samut Prakan SAT Stadium

Transport

Motorbike from SriRacha

Cost

B150 - petrol

Travelling Time (total journey)

Outward: 1 hour 46 minutes. Included a couple of stops for breaks and to check the satnav.

Return - 1 hour 40 minutes. I came back a different way, which was a more pleasant experience due to the better quality of road surface and less traffic.

Total Distance Travelled

151kms

Match Ticket

B80. Excellent value. 

Programme

None available.

Club Shop

There was no official club shop or even that good old Thai club alternative, the trestle table. However, the sports shop across the road was selling Samut Prakan City shirts and had a fair number of customers inside when I poked my nose through the door for a quick look.

Away End

I sat/stood with the more boisterous home fans in the stand opposite the main stand. The view was good and the atmosphere was terrific. The supporters didn't stop singing, chanting and drumming for the whole ninety minutes. Extra percussion was added by people stamping their feet on the metal terracing. A nice touch.

Staff

Excellent. The ticket sellers, guards and food and drink vendors were all friendly and helpful. The girl who sold me my Chang was particularly pleasant.

Food

You are spoilt for choice in this area. There were lots of shops and stalls within a five minute walk of the ground. And a large Saturday market a few hundred yards away. Sadly, the food inside the stadium (where I was) amounted to packets of peanuts and watermelon seeds.

Beer

Yes. I bought a large bottle of Chang and had another one bought for me (Thanks, Phil!). You could also take it into the stand - in a plastic cup - without any problems.

Highlight of the Day

Meeting up with my mate, Phil. It's always good to catch up with him - and on this occasion his wife, Tun, too. We had a great chat. Another highlight was watching Chonburi loanee, Rachata Moraksa, in the Samut Prakan City midfield. What a talent this lad is. He appears to be the complete player and, based on what I saw yesterday, has a great future in the game.

Overall Experience

Fantastic. I really enjoyed my trip to the Samut Prakan SAT Stadium. It was well worth the bum numbing three hours plus on the motorbike. There was only a small crowd, but they made a lot of noise and made me feel very welcome. The football was entertaining - the home side were particularly impressive until it came to the final third - and the match was a good advert for the second tier. Highly recommended.

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.

On The Road - Super Power Samut Prakarn: 2017

On The Road - Super Power Samut Prakarn
1st July, 2017

Stadium
Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium

Transport
Car from SriRacha

Cost
B250 - petrol

Travelling Time (total journey)
2 hours 40 minutes total
A short hop up the road. A completely hassle free journey.

Total Distance Travelled
180kms

Match Ticket
B180

Programme
Nope!

Club Shop
Possibly the tiniest club shop I've ever seen. In fact I wasn't sure that it was the shop when I entered, as there were no big signs outside, and I was expecting to be chased away. It also doubles as the ticket office. The only things they appeared to have in stock were this season's home and away shirts and scarves. However, the two girls who served me were very friendly and helpful. They even attempted to speak English.

Away End
A large uncovered metal stand behind the goal. There were no seats but plenty of leg room. We were quite a long way from the pitch, so we had the usual problem of seeing what was happening anywhere beyond the halfway line. Thankfully it didn't rain, because these type of structures are a nightmare when wet!

Staff
Very friendly and helpful. I don't think that any of them were aged over 25.

Food
As the ground is situated on what must be one of the busiest roads in the country outside of the capital, there was plenty of choice. You could take it inside with you too.

Beer
Yes. Beer was in plentiful supply around the ground. They also sold it inside the stadium - a big bottle of Chang (poured into a plastic cup) was B80.

Highlight of the Day
It was the first day of my long "summer" holiday, so everything about it was a highlight! However, on the pitch, it had to be Thiago's performance. We didn't really see any of his histrionics, but he certainly inspired his team mates and the fans. Welcome back!

Overall Experience
This was my third visit to this stadium and I've enjoyed every one. It's not the greatest ground in the world, but I love it's lively location and it does have a certain old school charm. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare, but thankfully - due to my previous experiences - I knew exactly where to go. We were left with a long walk (by my wife's standards!), but it wasn't that much of a pain. I'll miss going there next season.

On The Road - Police Utd: 2012

On The Road - Police Utd

3rd June, 2012

 

Stadium

Royal Thai Army Stadium, Bangkok

Transport

Mini bus from SriRacha

Cost

B230

Travelling Time (to stadium)

2 hours

Match Ticket

B100

Programme

None available.

Club Shop

A trestle table outside the home supporters entrance to the ground. Home and away shirts, plus scarves, fan t-shirts and other smaller items on sale.

Away End

Two thirds of the large open terrace behind the goal. No seats, just concrete terracing.

Staff

Friendly enough. The ticket sellers and people selling the merchandise were very helpful and enjoyed practising their English on me. The stewards too were relaxed and polite.

Food

Lots of the usual local food available. The restaurant under the main stand was good value as usual; B165 bought us a couple of dishes, two packets of crisps and a Pepsi.

Beer

B50 for a large Chang from the aforementioned restaurant. The away fans were selling three cans of Leo for B100. And, yes, you could take into inside the stadium providing it was in a plastic cup.

Overall Experience

Good. No problems whatsoever.

On The Road - BEC/Police Tero: 2017

On The Road - BEC/Police Tero

27th May, 2017

 

Stadium

Boonyachinda Stadium, Lak Si, Bangkok

 

Transport

Car from SriRacha

 

Cost

B400 - petrol

B300 - tolls

 

Travelling Time (total journey)

4 hours 10 minutes. A fairly straightforward journey. However, we did take a wrong turn when close to the stadium. Luckily, we met a Tero fan at the petrol station, who jumped in the back and directed us to the ground.

 

Total Distance Travelled

270kms

 

Match Ticket

B200 - which I think is a bit steep. The same seats were B150 for home fans.

Programme

A free A5 sized full colour effort running to 16 pages. Lots of pictures, with only one full page advert (for Chang). Two features on Chonburi - a close look at Renan Marques and a match preview - but lots for the home fans to enjoy. Which is fair enough. Bizarrely, all the page headings are in English, but the articles are exclusively in Thai.

 

Club Shop

They had two. Outside the main stand they had a mobile store with a couple of tables in front and around the far side, they had a larger, permanent one. Both were selling all the latest in Tero merchandise - a mix of BEC and Police goods were in stock. This is clearly something they are taking very seriously.

 

Away End

A third of the covered main stand - which was something to be thankful for on such a wet day. The plastic seats were backless, but unusually for any football stadium, there was plenty of leg room. We had a decent view of the pitch and the aeroplanes taking off from Don Muang.

 

Staff

Excellent! They were all really friendly and helpful. The young cadets who were working as stewards in the away end were a good laugh too and enjoyed joking with the travelling fans.

Food

Disappointing. There wasn't anywhere the choice you get at most Thai grounds. It was mainly sausages and pigs in blankets, which were both very tasty, but would have liked to have seen more on offer. There is a small Tero Cafe behind the open stand - which was showing the early T1 kick off and doing a roaring trade - but I didn't go in.

 

Beer

I had to walk all the way around to the far side of the stadium to buy a big bottle of Chang for B70. The lady very kindly put this into a plastic glass, which I was allowed to take into the ground (Yippee!). Food was also able to be taken in (Yippee! again).

 

Highlight of the Day

The result. A fine all round performance in very difficult conditions and every single player put in a shift. A hard earnd and well deserved three points.

 

Overall Experience

BEC/Police Tero have made a decent effort to make the place seem like home and deserve a lot of credit. There was a pleasant enough atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium - in spite of the weather. It's early days, but you can see that they have the ambition to build a club to be reckoned with. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

On The Road - Phetchaburi: 2012

On The Road - Phetchaburi

11th July, 2012

 

Stadium

Phetchaburi Municipal Stadium

Transport

Mini-bus from SriRacha

Cost

B300

Travelling Time (total journey) 

8 hours and 50 minutes

Total Distance Travelled

479kms

Match Ticket

B100. The usual price of admission is B40 but they raised it to B100 for our visit. However, any local children who have a ticket from this match will get "free" admission to Phetchaburi's next home game.

Programme

None available.

Club Shop

A very basic little shop next to the stadium entrance. They sold both the home and away shirts, plus training tops, scarves and one or two other minor items.

Away End

Half of the covered main stand.

Staff

Very friendly. Although I had to practically wake up one of the security guards to ask where the toilet was.

Food

The usual local fayre was available and was being delivered in the stands. However, there wasn't really that much on offer.

Beer

Three cans of Leo for B100. And, yes, you could take it inside the ground - in cans! There were no restrictions at all on what could be taken onto the terraces and everybody respected this sensible approach and behaved accordingly.

Overall Experience

Very enjoyable. A real throwback and a reminder of my time following Chonburi in the Pro League. I wish it could still be like this every week.

On The Road - Nakhon Ratchasima: 2017

On The Road - Nakhon Ratchasima
24th June, 2017

Stadium
80th Birthday Stadium, Nakhon Ratchasima

Transport
Car from SriRacha

Cost
B870 - petrol
B1,300 Hotel (one night)

Travelling Time (total journey)
4 hours 40 minutes outward
4 hours 50 minutes return
9 hours 30 minutes total
A long trek that necessitates an overnight stay in one of my favourite cities. No real problems on the way up, other than the roadworks in Khao Yai, but lots of heavy rain on the homeward journey. Thankfully, we had a couple of old John Peel tapes, Danny Baker shows and the new Blondie lp to help pass the time.

Total Distance Travelled
620kms

Match Ticket
B200 - which seems to be the going price for most away ends these days, regardless of quality, view or facilities.

Programme
A complete lap of the outside of the stadium failed to produce one, despite being constantly told by club employees that they were available. It wasn't just on the pitch they were taking the pee!

Club Shop
The permanent, well stocked club store I visited last season seems to have disappeared and replaced by a series of pop up shops at various locations outside the ground. All the usual stuff was on sale.

Away End
A third of the uncovered stand behind the goal. We had plastic seats and reasonable enough leg room. However, the view wasn't the best, as we were so far away from the pitch. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing on Saturday!

Staff
Friendly enough, but didn't really seem to know that much when asked a direct question (see above). The ticket collectors in the away end enjoyed a laugh, however the security guards were very stoney faced.

Food
All the usual fayre was available at many outlets situated all around the outside of the ground - I past them all when on my programme search. I didn't actually buy anything, because we'd already eaten before going to the match.

Beer
Yes. Everywhere. A big bottle of Chang poured into a plastic cup, so you could take it inside (Hello, Chonburi!!) cost B80.

Highlight of the Day
It certainly wasn't our performance! Therefore, it has to be meeting up with Russ and Peter pre match. Two lovely blokes and great people to have a heated debate with, over a few cold drinks.

Overall Experience
There's no doubting that the 80th Birthday Stadium is a great facility and well maintained. However, the distance from the pitch, and the sparse crowd, meant that the atmosphere felt very flat, even with the home team romping to victory. It would be nice to experience the ground under floodlights when it's full.

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.

On The Road - Customs Utd: 2012

On The Road - Customs Utd

22nd August, 2012

 

Stadium

Lat Krabang 54 Stadium

Transport

Car

Cost

Petrol plus B90 motorway tolls.

Travelling Time (total journey) 

3 hours 15 minutes

Total Distance Travelled

235kms

Match Ticket

B100 (B20 for kids)

Programme

None available.

Club Shop

A small table outside the main (only) entrance. They were selling shirts, scarves and stickers.

Away End

The Chonburi fans filled three of the four covered wood and scaffolding stands which ran part way down both touchlines.

Staff

Friendly and helpful. The lady in the ticket booth even gave me back B80 because I'd mistakenly paid full price for my friend's son, instead of the junior price.

Food

A couple of stalls outside the main entrance selling the usual snacks plus water and soft drinks. There was a small shop across the road from the ground that sold packet snacks and beer in bottles and cans.

Beer

Only available from the shop across the road. Three cans for B100.

Overall Experience

I really enjoyed it. Very low key and a real throwback to my early days of watching Thai football. You could take beer cans inside the ground and nobody abused this by being silly. There was no security but everyone behaved very sensibly and had a good time.

On The Road - Chainat: 2012

On The Road - Chainat
2nd September, 2012

Stadium
Khao Plong Stadium

Transport
Car

Cost
Petrol B1,000
Tolls B240

Travelling Time (total journey) 
7 hours 4 minutes

Total Distance Travelled
638kms

Match Ticket
B100

Programme
The "programme" was a photocopied sheet of A5 paper with the Chainat squad, upcoming fixtures and current league table printed on it.

Club Shop
A couple of tables under an awning situated outside the main entrance. They were selling a range of shirts, t-shirts, scarves and stickers. However, there was also a well stocked club shop at the Chainat Bird Park on the main road a mile or so from the ground. The staff in the Bird Park were all wearing Chainat FC t-shirts. I thought that this was an excellent idea. I didn't actually go into the Bird Park because they operate a dual pricing system and I refuse to go anywhere that does this.

Away End
A narrow uncovered all metal stand behind one of the goals. We were allowed to take our brollys inside.

Staff
Some of the friendliest staff I've encountered so far this season. The security guards were great and seemed happy to share a laugh and a joke with anyone and everyone.

Food
Hundreds (well dozens) of food and drink stalls at the ground. The usual food plus beer, water and soft drinks.

Beer
Three cans of Leo for B100. The stall I went to ran out of Chang just before kick off! Beer was allowed inside the ground as long as it was in a plastic cup. Another club with a sensible approach.

Overall Experience
I had a really good day out. Chainat is only a small town but, along with the surrounding area, is well worth visit. There were lots of people in town a good few hours before kick off wearing Chainat FC colours and you get the sense that the club is at the heart of the community. The stadium is a couple of miles away but there appears to be a good transport system and enough people who would be willing to give you a lift. The locals were friendly and made us feel very welcome.

On The Road - Ratchaburi: 2017

On The Road - Ratchaburi
7th July, 2017

Stadium
Mitr Phol Stadium; AKA The Dragon Stadium; AKA The Theatre of Sweet

Transport
Car from SriRacha

Cost
B750 - petrol
B235 - tolls
B1,700 - hotel (Ooh! Get me!)

Travelling Time (total journey)
4 hours and 5 minutes outward
3 hours and 20 minutes return
7 hours 35 minutes total
The outward journey took slightly longer due to the holiday traffic, but my wife's trusty satnav found us a very interesting alternative route!

Total Distance Travelled
455kms

Match Ticket
B200

Programme
Nope!

Club Shop
An excellent new club shop. Well stocked and with plenty of room to move around. All the usual items were on sale - reasonably priced - and there were a couple of bargain bins selling off old stock cheaply (Chonburi - please take note).

Away End
A part of large uncovered stand near to the corner flag. Lovely new seats with plenty of leg room. A decent view of the pitch.

Staff
Some were very friendly, some weren't. We had been told by a female member of staff that "all" drinks could be taken inside the stadium, as long as they were in plastic cups. However, on arrival at the turnstiles (oh yes!), a rather belligerent male security guard informed me that I couldn't take beer in due to the Buddhist holiday. Fair enough, but please get your stories straight. The police on duty on the away terraces were up for a laugh. At one point during the delay, we'd just about managed to convince them to join us in a 5-a-side match on the pitch. Sadly, the teams came back out again.

Food
Very disappointing. I'm not sure if this was due to the aforementioned holiday, but there was very little in the way of food being sold in and around the ground. However, you could buy ice cream and crisps in the away end.

Beer
Beer was not officially on sale, due it being the start of Buddhist Lent. Thankfully, some enterprising Chonburi fans had managed to acquire some and located their cool boxes near enough to the "cage" (more of which later), so we could help ourselves throught the long evening.

Highlight of the Day
None. In all honesty, it was a fairly uneventful evening.

Overall Experience
This was my first visit to the stadium and I was really impressed. Not everything is finished, but already it is clear that this is one of the better purpose built football grounds in the country. My only real gripe is that if we're not going to be allowed to leave the arena at half time - as you can at most Thai grounds - don't keep us in a cage. It is possible to make the concourse quite pleasant. I felt like I was in the state pen when my mate Sven came round for a chat during the break, and we had to converse through wire mesh. Other than that, I'd heartily recommend a visit to the Theatre of Sweet to anyone.

On The Road - Bangkok FC: 2014

On The Road - Bangkok FC
30th April, 2014

Stadium
72 Years Anniversary Stadium, Bang Mod

Transport
Car from SriRacha

Cost
About B300 on petrol plus B250ish on tolls.

Travelling Time (total journey)
4 hours and 40 minutes (including a couple of stops)

Total Distance Travelled
245kms

Match Ticket
B100 - in the main stand. It was B150 in the away stand behind the goal.

Programme
Nope.

Club Shop
An area under the stand had been kitted out with a couple of shelves and tables. They were selling all the usual merchandise.

Away End
An open terrace behind one of the goals. As is usually the case at grounds with running tracks, the fans were a long way from the pitch. As none of us were wearing colours, we decided to sit in the main stand. It was B50 cheaper, you got a reasonably comfortable plastic seat, a roof over your head and a good view of the match. A much better option.

Staff
Didn't really have much contact with them but the two blokes who checked our tickets and stamped our arms seemed friendly enough.

Food
Plenty of stalls selling the usual fayre. We bought some sausages from the vendor outside the main stand. Sadly they were cold and not very appetising. I'm sure they were also responsible for my mad dash to the toilet a few hours later. Although I wouldn't swear to that in a court of law!

Beer
Big bottles of Leo cost B60. You could also take it into the ground, as long as it was in a plastic cup or bag. Now for the bad news...Alcohol wasn't on sale inside the stadium compound so you had to buy it from a stall on the road outside. This meant a long trek to and from our seats whenever we needed a top up  - which was quite often.

Highlight of the Day
Finding the ground and arriving in plenty of time for kick off. There's always a risk involved for these midweek games when you have to make a mad dash from work - especially when you hit Bangkok during rush hour.

Overall Experience
I enjoyed it. It's always fun going to a new ground. And, of course, we won.

On The Road - Osotspa: 2012

On The Road - Osotspa
25th October, 2012

Stadium
Saraburi OBD Stadium

Transport
Car

Cost
Petrol B1,000
Tolls B300

Travelling Time (total journey)
7 hours 14 minutes

Total Distance Travelled
410kms

Match Ticket
B100

Programme
A free glossy A3 sheet folded into A5 size. One side opened out as a poster of Osotspa's Anthony Komenan and the other included an article on the kind of food favoured by three of the players, squad lists, upcoming fixtures and the league table. However, the last two of these were out of date, as the programme was printed for the original fixture, which was due to have taken place on September 30th.

Club Shop
A neat little shop situated under the stand used by the more vociferous of the home fans, opposite the main stand. The shop was doing a roaring trade as most items - replica shirts, scarves, stickers etc - had been reduced in price for the end of season sale.

Away End
Half of the main stand's covered section. No seats, just concrete terracing.

Staff
Very friendly. All the vendors outside the ground made us very welcome and even cleared a space for us to sit so we could eat our food and drink our beers. The security guards were excellent. One of them even brought my friend a plastic cup so he could drink his beer inside the stadium, after he had told him that cans weren't allowed on the terraces.

Food
All the usual Thai food was in plentiful supply. I had some dodgy sausages but the rest of the stuff I bought - especially the chicken - was delicious.

Beer
Three cans of Leo for B110. Beer was allowed inside the ground as long as it was in a plastic cup. Very sensible.

Overall Experience
A very enjoyable trip. Friendly locals and a club that knows how to treat the fans. A real old school experience and a nice way to end the season.

On The Road - Suphanburi: 2013

On The Road - Suphanburi
28th April, 2013
by Tim Spear

Stadium
Suphanburi Municipal Stadium.
We arrived 5 hours before the game, and were impressed with the stadium and the ongoing work for improvements. The bank of home fans was impressive, and offered a great view of the pitch. It is good to see that 3 of the stands will eventually be covered.

Transport 
Car

Cost
A full tank of diesel, so B1,600. Also tolls, which mounted up, but B230 in total.

Travelling Time (total journey)
We left Banglamung at 9am and arrived by car at 1pm after a number of extended stops. It was great to see so many vehicles (cars, buses and motorcycles) on the way with Chonburi Stickers. It took us roughly 4 hours each way so total time 8 hours. This would have been considerably less if the signposts in Bangkok were organised. We ended driving into the centre of the city, when we wished to travel on the expressways. Perhaps this is one reason why Bangkok is so crowded on the roads.

Total Distance Travelled
Not sure on this one - just a lot!

Match Ticket
B120 for the away end. This was B20 more than the home fans were paying, and we were in an unfinished stand. Still it was all worth it.

Programme
One was available, and looked larger than ours, but unfortunately I didn't get one.

Club Shop 
An open stand where the queues were huge. Didn't manage to get around to this, but they were clearly doing very brisk business. The home fans were almost all wearing the new colours of their team.

Away End
As I said above the stand was unfinished. The away end was full 60 minutes before the start of the game, so was very crowded. I think we took more fans than they expected.

Staff 
All very friendly and jolly. Entering the ground was a pleasure and very efficient. When buying tickets we were helped to the correct location.

Food
The usual range was available at the stadium, but we had already eaten in town at an excellent and very cheap restaurant.

Beer
Of course! The club were selling Chang and 2 large exports for B100 was sufficient. However, our fans were selling Leo, so we changed to this when they arrived. Food and drink was allowed in the stadium, which was a breath of fresh air.

Highlight of the Day 
Everything really from the build up and the number of Chonburi fans. It was this that stands out in my mind more than anything else. We were not sure why our "goal" was disallowed. A great overall performance and we won well, away from home, which made a huge difference as often we are so toothless on our travels.

Another highlight was not seeing any member of the management team threaten or take photos of the fans. The behavoiur of the coach and manager at the club's last match was very unbecoming. I am surprised that an apology was not issued, rather than a verbal attack on a few fans on television and the newspapers.

Overall Experience 
A very likeable club and set of fans. Supanburi has a good team that play good attractive football, and their fans support the team without the horrible synchronized effort of a Buriram.

On The Road - Chula United: 2012

On The Road - Chula United
21st April, 2012

Stadium
Rajamangala Stadium, Khwaeng Hua Mark, Khet Bang Kapi, Bangkok

Transport
Minibus from SriRacha

Cost
B270

Distance
106kms

Travelling Time
2 hours 6 minutes

Match Ticket
B100

Programme
None available.

Club Shop
A table under an awning outside the home fans entrance to the ground. Not much in the way of merchandise available.

Away End
A large section of the lower tier in the covered main stand. The club had underestimated the number of away fans who would be travelling and at one stage we had the ridiculous situation of people in a crowd of just over 2,500 having to stand in a stadium that holds 50,000. However, the visting supporters seemed to take matters in their own hands and move some of the barriers that were blocking access to a bank of empty seats so that everyone could sit down.

Staff
Seemed friendly enough. The ticket sellers and people manning the turnstiles were very polite and treated us well. The stewards inside the ground were very slow to react when it became apparent that there wasn't enough seating available and only took action after the Chonburi fans had taken it upon themselves to move the barriers.

Food
The phrase "spoilt for choice" springs to mind. There are hundreds of food stalls, restaurants and vendors within a sliced Kenneth Akpueze clearance of the ground. I bought a couple of spicy sausages for B20, which were excellent.

Beer
My first six cans of Leo cost me B220 but all subsequent purchases worked out at three for B100. I couldn't find any Chang.

Overall Experience
Enjoyable. Spent an hour or so sitting in the park next to the stadium just watching the world go by and then had a leisurely stroll to the ground. There was a slight bottleneck at the turnstiles but we got in quickly enough. Lots of activities on the concourse, many of which were aimed at the youngsters. Couldn't take beer inside but all other food and drink (in plastic cups) were allowed.

On The Road - BEC Tero: 2012

On The Road - BEC Tero
21st July, 2012

Stadium
Thepasadin Stadium, Bangkok

Transport
Mini-bus from SriRacha

Cost
B200

Travelling Time (total journey) 
4 hours and 22 minutes

Total Distance Travelled
203kms

Match Ticket
B100.

Programme
A 32 page full colour magazine for B20. Lots of photos - including a double page poster of former Chonburi star Ekaphan Inthasen - and articles written by players and members of the staff. There was also a Q&A with leading scorer Cleiton Silva, in which he reveals that his favourite movie star is Denzil Washington and his favourite film is Training Day.

Club Shop
A well stocked modern shop right next to the ground. The staff were friendly and efficient. My only real (minor) complaint is that the small space does get rather crowded and the layout doesn't really help.

Away End
Half of the uncovered stand along the touchline. There were plastic seats in about two thirds of the stand but the rest was just concrete terracing. We sold out our allocation of tickets and I know of at least two people who were denied entry.

Staff
The ones I had dealings with were fine. But yet again, I didn't really understand the need for the numerous stewards stationed along the touchline and staring into the crowd. I wish clubs would use a little more common sense in these situations. There was no hint of trouble at all and the Men in Black could have kept a low profile.

Food
The ground is situated right in the heart of Bangkok so you could probably get pretty much any food you want within a ten minute walk or Skytrain ride. The stalls around the ground sold all the usual snacks and drinks.

Beer
A can of Leo cost B35. It was freely available outside the ground, either from the food stalls or the roaming vendors. All drinks were allowed inside the stadium, providing they were in plastic cups or bags.

Overall Experience
A good day out. BEC Tero are obviously trying really hard to promote the club and create a good matchday atmosphere. They have certainly made Thepasadin their own and so far seem to be getting things right both on and off the pitch.

On The Road - Samut Songkhram: 2013

On The Road: Samut Songkhram
22nd June, 2013

Stadium
The Acme Sewage Company Swamplands Stadium,
Puddle Lane,
Old Bogside,
Samut Swampkhram
Swampshire
SH1 7TY

Transport 
The Good Ship Venus. We also made sure we had life jackets, armbands and emergency flares to hand.

Cost 
A full tank of fuel cost 15 Doubloons but the wind was behind us so we were able to use the sails for most of the journey.

Travelling Time (total journey) 
We sailed at high tide and the waters were fairly calm. However, we did encounter some choppy waves near Samut Sakorn on the outward bound part of the trip. Our journey took 4 hours and 50 minutes in total, at a steady speed of 54 knots per hour.

Total Distance Travelled
356kms

Match Ticket
Two Pieces of Eight bought you a ticket for the "stand" overlooking the deep end.

Programme 
A copy of "The Bogtrotter" cost 1 Doubloon. There were features on Moses, Jacques Cousteau, How To Build An Ark  and How To Avoid Paddy Foot. Good value for money and educational.

Club Shop
A well stocked shop selling Wellington Boots, umbrellas, pac a macs, Sou'Westers, snorkels, flippers, inflatable rafts and small coracles, all in club colours.

Away End
A few planks nailed to a dodgy metal structure by a bunch of seven year olds, in the dark. Dangerous when wet ie all the time.

Staff 
The buxom serving wenches were friendly enough - if a little vulgar for my taste - and the club's official lifeguards were polite and helpful. However, the ferryman was quite rude and tried to overcharge us on our way back to the car park. Next time, I'll take my own dinghy.

Food 
The local pub - The Admiral Benbow - served a fine range of salted meats, fish, sea biscuits, swamp stew, rum and flagons of ale.

Beer
We were allowed to take our bottles of rum and flagons of ale into the stadium. Yo, ho, ho! However, we had to leave our parrots at the gate.

Highlight of the Day
There were two; not drowning, and being jeered by the home fans as I took photos of the puddles on the pitch after the final whistle.

Overall Experience 
I'd rather spend the rest of my life listening to Phil Collins records on a loop than endure another day like this. It was that bad.

On The Road - PTT Rayong: 2014

On The Road: PTT Rayong
29th March, 2014

Stadium
PTT Stadium, Rayong

Transport
Car from SriRacha

Cost
Free! (Thanks, Brian)

Travelling Time (total journey) 
2 hours 15 minutes

Total Distance Travelled
120kms

Match Ticket
B150

Programme
Disappointingly, there didn't seem to be one. I did try!

Club Shop
I didn't make it to the club shop but I believe that it's quite well stocked.

Away End
Half of the covered stand behind one of the goals. This stand is usually reserved for home fans but we were put in there in order to accommodate the number of away fans who had travelled. A sensible and welcome decision by the host club. No numbered seating but a good view close to the pitch - which is only slightly spoiled by the fifty foot high netting between you and the action.

Staff
Really friendly and helpful. I was approached twice by members of staff shortly after arrival and asked - in English - if I needed any help. The stewards inside the ground also seemed to have a sense of humour and treated us well.

Food
Lots of stalls selling a variety of Thai food directly behind the "away" stand. There is also a restaurant near the ground, which I didn't visit, but has a good reputation and has a/c - for those who like dining in comfort.

Beer
Large bottles of Leo cost B65. Unfortunately, they'd run out by full time so we couldn't celebrate our late equaliser with a pint. Beer - and pretty much everything else you can think of - is not allowed inside the stadium.

Highlight of the Day
Equalising four minutes into injury time!

Overall Experience
A great day out. A well run and friendly club with up to date facilities. The car park is a bit of a nightmare but we'd been forewarned and parked on the road. It's a bit of a trek to the stadium but it made it much easier to get away after the match.