New! Five Asides - Issue No.4: 2023

Here's the latest issue of our new regular feature. Take five Thai football fans, share five contentious opinions with them and let everyone have their say. Nice and simple. Our panel today is made up of Ta (neutral), Kevin (Chonburi FC), Tim (Chonburi FC), Ben (Lamphun Warriors), and Harry (neutral). Take it away, chaps...

1.The Thailand national team head coach should be Thai.

Ta: Absolute BS. You don’t have to be Thai, you just need to know how to work with Thais.

Kevin: Absolutely not. The best national team head coach should be the most qualified head coach regardless of their nationality. It’s like saying “the head coach of a football club should also be a supporter”.

Tim: Yes, of course this is the case. How could anyone else motivate the Thai players. Language will always be an issue, and until the majority of players speak another second language this will prevail. Of course, the pool of coaches will be limited because of this, so success will be limited as well. However, as long as the Thai players have a Thai coach and win a small regional competition occasionally all will be fine. The dreams of qualification for the WC will be there until they come across a half decent team. 

Ben: I think it's something a lot of countries experiment with . It's generally never successful.  Look at Peter Reid and Bryan Robson. Two great players who managed Thailand with limited success. Brazilian managers look more suited to the Thai style. My opinion is that all national teams should have a manager from their own country.

Harry: No, not necessarily, but it has to be a coach who understands Thai sports culture and understands the needs and wants for Thai players. Coaching styles and methods to suit the needs of the players and slowly adjust to modernise it. It also has to be a coach who I think should be heavily influenced with not just the first team, but the U23s and so on, to oversee and understand the next generation.

2.Thai television should stop showing live matches in order to encourage fans back to the stadiums.

Ta: I’m afraid if Thai TV stops showing games, it will work to the detriment of the league and people will start losing interest. Imagine not showing Buriram vs. Muangthong and forcing everyone to go out to Esan only to watch the match, lol.

Kevin: Oh no, definitely not. This was the case for Muay Thai for many years. What happened was it just got less and less popular. Matches need to be live otherwise people would just lose interest. Think back to when the Thai league wasn’t televised, less people cared.

Tim: Stopping TV stops revenue from sponsorship. This would destroy the quality of the league as we know it, and it would become a regional backwater. Teams we love we all saw live first, but teams we sort of like, were seen on TV. So I guess TV and fans require a symbiotic relationship. At present this is not the case as TV decides the times with no reference to fans and travelling. Eg Chonburi FC playing up country on a Sunday night prevents the vast majority of fans attending, thus reducing the atmosphere. This then lessens the TV experience too. TV producers and schedulers need to realise this. 

Ben: I don't think it makes much difference.  Unfortunately, the majority of regular Thais I speak to think Thai football is substandard and not worth bothering with anyway. They are more interested in English or European football.Not showing the games on TV would decrease revenue, and therefore, the standard would drop even more.

Harry: Disagree, I personally don’t think this has stopped people from watching. At the end of the day, it is an entertainment industry. People go watch games to support their clubs but they want to enjoy the game (whether that is the atmosphere, or the entertainment they get from the players). 

For me, the lack of entertainment for a long period put me off watching games. Same with football like La Liga, where it is technical type football, but over a 90 minute period the game hardly flows and the ball is constantly out of play, whether it be time wasting, players getting injured etc.

If football fans feel it’s entertaining and good value for money they will be back.

3.Thai clubs being bought by rich business owners and moved to different parts of the country is good for the development of the domestic game.

Ta: Yes. More of this please. But rich and “consistent” is key.

Kevin: Honestly, yes. When the “Thai Premier League” first started, most teams were based in Bangkok. Fair to say the attendances for most of these games weren’t great. However, when the clubs moved out, attendances got a lot better.

Tim: Well has it ever worked? Football is fan based. Rich owners come and go, usually to the detriment of our clubs. No, no, no to this. Investment of course should be encouraged. Even being a plaything is ok for most fans as success a la Chelski is bought. Who wouldn't want some of that. But to have investment then throwing it away by relocation just goes to show ordinary folk have no say, and fans are irrelevant.

Ben: It is something that is done in American sports 'franchises' but is completely alien to British or European fans. I'm not a fan of it at all as the football club should be at the heart of the community. 

Harry: No, there has to be something in place for this. At established footballing countries, football clubs (sports clubs) bring a community together. So by buying clubs and moving them is destroying a community. Just unfortunately in Thailand , the football interest for the local team at many clubs is not necessarily large enough for the owners to feel guilty in leaving or pressurised in staying. 

But no it should not happen. If they want to have a club in a certain part, buy that club from that area.

4.The Thai league will only succeed if experts from the JLeague and/or the EPL are brought in to run it.

Ta: The Thai League needs to be run and operated properly by those from these leagues. 

Kevin: I think the Thai league would be better if there are more qualified managers and more people watching.

Tim: They can come in to run. By why limit to just two areas? Surely the best person should be chosen, this clearly should not be someone from Buriram. Experience of running a league and development would be useful.

Ben: How  do you judge "success" ? Apart from the J league, no other Asian leagues have much exposure. I think bringing in foreign managers to run football clubs here would be fraught with difficulty. The culture, the language.....the corruption. As far as selling the game abroad, I don't think that will ever happen.

Harry: Brought in to coach? If so, I don’t necessarily agree with this 

But brought in to stabilise the format and have long term stability by putting the foundations in place, then yes 

If coaching, no, what it needs is coaches who are coaches who have put in hard graft for this trade and going about it through a process, meaning getting coaching qualifications, really studying the game. These coaches could be from any background/nationality 

So this may lead to a Thai culture that needs changing. But surely the next generation of Thai coaches have the possibility of changing this?

5.All Thai league grounds should have artificial pitches so matches don’t become farcical during the rainy season.

Ta: Nope. Artificial pitches = injuries. Instead, every team needs to be forced to use the best paspalum pitch surface that is equivocal to J. league sides.

Kevin: I'm indifferent to this.

Tim: What?! Don't you like rain? Most of my favourite matches and experiences were due to waterlogged pitches. They more the merrier I say, and Chonburi FC's record in these games is exemplary. Plastic pitches on the other hand for Chonburi FC are awful, we rarely got any points playing on an artificial pitch. However, I am sure we could combine the two - plastic pitches that are waterlogged. This would create a unique footballing experience.

Ben: They have done that with a lot of lower league grounds in Scotland with great success. They are used all year round as community pitches. The technology has moved on from the QPR and Luton pitches of the 80s, so in some areas of Thailand, it could work and be used for other events to boost income.

Harry:  Nope, all Thai pitches should have better drainage systems and to proper ground staff to sort it out. If they feel they cannot do that, then okay invest in artificial pitches.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of each individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the blog. Thank you.

New! First Leg Reviews - 14. Chonburi FC (Kevin Aamlid): 2022

Here are the opinions of Chonburi fan, Kevin Aamlid, as he looks back over the first leg and ahead to the rest of the season.

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?

Winning 5-1 against Muang Thong United was great. Even better due to the fact that I was there at the match.

Q - And the low point?

The Worawut incident was definitely the worst thing to happen in the club's history. There is clearly a toxic drinking culture at the club and it needs to go. Surely I don’t pay to watch a bunch of alcoholics kick a ball.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season? 

In Thai league standards, probably Buriram.

Q – And the worst?

Against Chonburi, the worst team was probably Muang Thong. However, overall, it’s fair to say Lampang are pretty poor. They have great fans though.

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for 

a) your club?

Considering the fact that we are currently 2nd, I’d like to win the league. Or at least finish in a spot where we can qualify for the champions league.

b) the league in general?

I hope they start to tackle time wasting. I really can’t stand it when players pretend they are hurt. It’s just pathetic.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title

Probably in poor taste but:

“He drinks a whiskey drink, he drinks a vodka drink,

He drinks a lager drink, he drinks a cider drink” 

(Tubthumping, Chumbawamba)

Q – Anything else you’d like to add?

I hope we do better in the second half of the season than the first. I would love to have something to celebrate at the end of the season.

Chonburi 3-1 Police Tero - Photos: 2018

 TPL

Chonburi 3-1 Police Tero

Chonburi Stadium

Attendance: 3,480

Sunday 8th July, 2018

New! Five Asides - Issue No.3: 2023

Here's the third entry in our new regular feature. Take five (or in this case, six) Thai football fans, share five contentious opinions with them and let everyone have their say. Nice and simple. Our panel today is made up of Rob B ("Nomad"), Jamie (Buriram Utd), Robert S (Chiang Mai), Will (Pattaya Dolphins Utd), Obb (BG Pathum Utd) and Stephen (Muang Thong Utd). Take it away, chaps...

1. All Thai league grounds should have a running track.

Rob B: Of course. What's better than watching a match from miles away. So successful, West Ham adopted it.

Jamie: Only the teams with few supporters, and the away end should be at the farthest possible point away from the pitch. Put in an extra high jump pit to extend the distance. 

Robert S: Clearly. They are a grossly underused facility. Pre match entertainment should involve mascots from both sides racing around the track while in full costume...preferably a steeplechase track.

The four officials should hold a 100m race pre match - whoever finishes last has to referee the match. In T2 it really would make no difference.

No more bookings - use the running tracks as a form of sin bin where miscreants have to parade around the track x number of times in the style of the ministry of silly walks while being pelted with an ample supply of rotten fruit. The Nakhon Pathom fans would have loved that last weekend.

At half time the medical staff should be positioned around the running track to lead the crowd in a ten minute workout class - think seventh innings stretch!

Since we will never be rid of running tracks we simply have make them a part of the entertainment.

Will: No football ground in the world should have a running track! Fans need to be up close to the action. I make one exception to this rule – Bayern’s Olympic Stadium. Only because I have fond memories of my UK team, Norwich, beating them 2-1there in 1993, becoming the only English team to ever beat them there. A record that can never be beaten after Bayern moved to the Allianz Arena!  

Obb: Definitely. The stray dogs love them! 

Stephen: All Thai league grounds should have a running track - and the stands need be as far from the pitch as possible

2. Away fans should be charged more than home fans.

Rob B: And so they should. Trying to dilute home advantage by travelling in numbers. And furthermore they should be given the worst place in the stadium, just to replicate good old England.

Jamie: Why not? What do away fans bring to the matches experience? 

Robert S: Look - we appreciate that you have driven half a day across the country - and spent your money in our hotels, bars and restaurants - but you need to understand that the club is just a tenant and to the stadium owners you are an annoyance, an irritation, a problem that ideally will go away.

We have to open up a part of the ground that we would happily leave in disrepair; worse we may need to create a space for you as far away from the pitch as possible using a combination of left over constructions materials, Meccano sets and sticky back plastic.

We have to employ an extra ticket collector for the eight of you that went to Nakhon Pathom last weekend; then find the local Malvolio to act as security.  

The stadium owner has to build the equivalent of the Berlin wall to keep you away from the good people of the local town and even create an empty DMZ to keep fans apart. This is all space that could be sold to home supporters if it was not for the nuisance that away fans create. 

Basically you are lucky that we are not the FAT and do not charge you 3x the cost of home supporter tickets...we can get to that next year!

Will: Never. Away fans are crucial for a decent atmosphere – and they should be encouraged to travel in numbers. Especially here in Thailand when quite often vast distances need to be travelled on dangerous roads. Away fans should be charged less.

Obb: Yes, yes, yes. Part of the “REAL” football experience is to suffer away from home. 

Stephen: Away fans should be charged more than home fans - and Away Zone seats must have a solid view of no more than 25% of the pitch.

3. Foreign fans should be charged more than Thai fans.

Rob B: At least double. Unless they're Chinese of course.

Jamie: Foreign fans should be forced into the VIP seats and charged 5x the regular price. After all, they’re not real fans. Whoever heard of a foreigner cheering a Thai team?

Robert S: And put in a separate fortified pen - from which one fan is taken out and fed to the lions everytime a goal is scored....

If the clubs want a revolt - at least do it in style!

Will: Aah, the old ‘dual pricing’ chestnut. I know this winds some people up no end, but for me it’s just part of living in Thailand generally and I can’t say it’s something that I lose sleep over. I can see both sides of the argument to be honest. I do think those of us who live/work here, pay taxes, or are married to a Thai should be treated as equals. For tourists? Well, if you can afford to come here on holiday then don’t moan about an extra 100 baht or so now and again.  

Obb: Yep. Make sure to write the Thai price in Thai numbers. That’s how you trick the farang.

Stephen: Foreign fans must use the Thailand Pass app and upload passport, visa, bank statements for the past six months, TM.30 form, letter from their employer, vaccination records, and proof of insurance, then maybe we'll let you in.

4. Madam Pang has done wonders at Port and with the Thailand national team, she should be made head of FAT.

Rob B: You mean she isn't already? She should be. A football genius of Geoffrey Richmond proportions (thankfully not in weight)

Jamie: I thought she was already the head. 

Robert S: I know nothing about Madam Pang except that she is a brand that other clubs - yes I am thinking of you Chiang Mai United - have been trying hard, but not always successfully, to emulate.

Good for her. 

The joint heads of FAT should be Ekanit Panya's parents who are far more approachable than anyone at the FAT.

Will: Honestly, I don’t know too much about her, Port or the national team. I know she’s a billionaire and seems to be doing an impressive job from what I can tell. I have no idea if she’s popular or hated. My knowledge of Thai football is mostly local – I moved to Pattaya in 2016 for work, went along to watch Pattaya United about a week later with some like-minded friends hungry for some local football, and never looked back. Unfortunately the club got the ‘MK Dons’ treatment and were relocated and renamed Samut Prakan FC in 2018. 

It was fairly depressing until Chokchai Tespan took over in 2021, renamed us Pattaya Dolphins Utd and things became really enjoyable again. We came tantalisingly close to getting promoted to T2 last season and what would have been an epic meeting with Samut Prakan, only missing out on head-to-head results in the playoffs after an almost unbeaten season in T3 (East). In hindsight, I really should have listened to Dale when he encouraged me to go and watch/support Chonburi FC instead…. but after seeing Pattaya Utd once I couldn’t do the dirty on them! Anyway,  I’ve gone off on a tangent and failed to answer the original question, so I’ll stop now. 

Obb: Great start as the War Elephants general manager! She appointed Mano Polking. Can he win the AFF Cup with less than a week to work with the squad? True Pang masterclass.

Stephen: Already done.

5. There should be no restrictions on the number of foreign players in a match day team.

Rob B: Open to all clubs aside from Buriram who should be forced to field an all Thai side to even things up a bit.

Jamie: All teams, apart from Buriram United should be allowed more foreigners, to give the others a chance of winning something.

Robert S: The Miss Universe Organisation is now owned by Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, CEO and biggest shareholder of JKN Global Group (JKN).

In order to support Thai businesses investing overseas and to promote co-operation between the FAT and Miss Universe foreign quota players should only be hired from the countries that win or are runners up (an heir and a spare!) each year in the annual pageant. 

Of course that means an annual turnover of players - but that happens already at most clubs!

The current Miss Universe is Harnaaz Sandhu of India who was crowned on December 13, 2021 - Virat Kohli would make a fine addition to any T1 squad!

Will: Tricky one this. I think the balance is just about right at the moment. While we all want to see the best players playing for our teams, if the floodgates were opened for foreign players then it would ultimately lead to a complete imbalance where the rich/top clubs would become far too good and we’d end up with something akin to England where, frankly, the Premier League is just boring these days. For the Thailand national team to get better, they need the best players playing at the best clubs, and if the top tier gets flooded with foreign imports then that’s just not going to happen.

Obb: The Thais can go and play in T2!!!!

Stephen: Serious answer this time: the issue for Thailand's football progress is not about foreign quotas, it's about the lack of a coherent and sustained grassroots strategy, combined with an insufficient fan base to generate the revenues needed.  Thai football fans spend more money on Manchester, Liverpool, etc. than they do on their local teams.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of each individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the blog. Thank you.

New! Five Asides - Issue No.2: 2023

Here's the second of our new regular - and popular -  feature. Take five Thai football fans, share five contentious opinions with them and let everyone have their say. Nice and simple. Our group today consists of Grant (Muang Thong Utd), Jim (Port), Marco (Port), Kenny (Port) and Gian (Muang Thong Utd). Take it away, chaps...

1.VAR is good for the game and will help improve the quality of Thai officials.

Grant: Given the lack of transparency within the Thai game, I do think we need it. If it is deemed necessary in England where the officials’ error rates are minimal, then you can't argue with the logic that is needed more here. The implementation of the technology has been shoddy but they are improving.  

Jim: Had to stop myself writing another VAR Essay here. VAR for better or worse, I feel is here to stay. So, we have to make the best of it. What we have currently, even in the biggest leagues is far from perfect (as we saw in the FA Cup last weekend). In Thailand we have a long way to go to reach even those standards. There’s obviously a lot of work to be done with a system that can give Muanthong that penalty against your lot at the start of last season and are there plans to make it work at the end Buriram are defending on matchdays?

Has it been good, probably not as an event, that fans celebrations are partly muted by the fear of a goal being ruled out has taken something away from the matchday experience.

Marco: VAR seems to create more problems than it solves. It occasionally works well and you can see the benefit of it but too often we see a lack of consistency on when and how it is used. It hasn’t improved the quality of officials, that is for sure.  

Kenny: Rather than righting unjust wrongs, it just seems to have added an extra layer of incompetence to Thai matchday proceedings. The biggest problem is the process is still painfully slow compared to what we saw at the World Cup and in the EPL each week.

Gian: I really despise this debate so I’ll make it brief. VAR can improve the quality of decisions if used well. In top leagues, officials have been able to make crucial decisions with limited delay, and keep the game flowing well. 

However, if officials constantly cave to pressure from players and coaches, take ages to make simple decisions, and display a general lack of common sense when using it, of course it is only going to compound the problems we already have. 

Given that VAR requires only a remote setup, I think we can take this opportunity to get VAR officials from other countries to assist Thai referees. It might be a little bit difficult logistically, but it could greatly improve the quality of officiating. 

2.Newin Chidchob has done wonders at Buriram Utd and should be chairman of FAT.

Grant: Yes and No. It’s not worth isolating his many detractors by giving him that much say. Buriram have a good academy, but most of their star players were bought for  the 1st team and developed there (Theerathon, Siwarak, Sasalak, Pansa, Nurabadin, Supachai). Chonburi and Muangthong have 3-4 times more academy players in their current squads, is Newin really the best man for the job? His 'helicopter parenting style' is probably 30 years out of date at least, I'd prefer a more progressive system. 

Jim: As it stands no. Nobody (yes including her) should have a role with the FA and with a club at the same time. Same goes with involvement at more than one club. I’m all for the clubs, owners, fans and other groups in football being consulted and involved but ultimately there has to be some independence. If Newin wants to give up his involvement at Buriram and move his efforts to the FA then that’s his choice.

Marco: Only if they do a behind the scenes ‘All or Nothing’ style Netflix series (of which he has no editorial control) to go with it. Keeping up with the Chidchobs.

Kenny: Is it April 1st already? Actually, in all seriousness he has created a successful brand up there and put Buriram on the map. If there really, really was no conflict of interest in him taking over… Yes,  he could be the guy to shake things up and improve the overall product. The obvious thing he’d need to realise is that having Buriram coasting to the title by the end of the first leg most seasons does not help to elevate the league. 

Gian: The first part of this statement is definitely true. What Newin Chidchob has built at with Buriram United is incredible. The professionalism, the infrastructure - they’ve got so many things right and can stand up to the best on the continent both on and off the pitch. The presence of the club has also been massive for the city and province. 

However, that should preclude him from being the chairman of the FAT, since no club owner, club founder or close associate of a club owner should be allowed to hold that position. The FA needs to be neutral and unbiased in its approach to all teams.  

That being said, we know reality is far from this ideal, with Madame Pang now the ‘team manager’ of the senior squad and Newin in charge of the U17 national team, which I suspect is just the start of his ambitions. 

On that last point, it will be very interesting to see what he does with the U17 team this summer, as we are hosting the Asian Cup for that age group. He held a tryout for the squad last month, but many top players who are contracted to other clubs apparently decided not to attend. Given how vocal he has been about the youth national teams recently, and the fact that he’s staked his reputation on being able to do better than in previous years, I believe he has a huge incentive to call up all of the nation’s best players, not just the ones who attended his tryouts. The day this U17 national team squad is announced will be very telling indeed. 

3.The Thailand national team is more important than the league and should always be given priority.

Grant: Strong leagues breed strong national teams, so certainly not. The 2 entities need to promote each other. 

Jim: If the focus is the national team so be it. However there needs to be a realisation that there is a co-dependency between the two. The vast majority of Thai players play domestically and are developed by the clubs in the league. A strong league is key to a strong national team. So the league needs to be respected and developed if the national team is to advance to the level desired. As such repeatedly moving the league dates and treating it as an after thought is damaging. 

It would also be nice to see youth development pushed by all parties. Equally if the national team win the AFF thing l can see the season being cancelled in favour of a national tour of meaningless friendlies and open top bus tours.

Marco: Let’s just put it like this; I will be missing most of the Vietnam vs Thailand (AFF Cup Final first leg) because I will be travelling home from Kasetsart vs Rajpracha in T2. Club football >. 

Kenny: I don’t mind it so much when we lose League games for World Cup qualifiers, as every country does. Even this Suzuki Cup (or is it another sponsor now?) I kind of like, because apart from the likes of Laos and Brunei, you do get some competitive high stakes games in the later stages. It’s kind of like “Group D” of the UEFA Nations League. When the league goes on hiatus at short notice because of Youth level tournaments, those are the annoying ones, in terms of fixture rescheduling. 

Despite all of these things the Thai FA do in the name of improving the national team (reducing the size of the top division for one), the national team never really make any steps forward. Even with the expanded format, AFC get an extra two slots, I don’t see that increasing Thailand’s chances of getting anywhere near a World Cup.

Gian: The word “always” makes giving a clear answer difficult. I think it is conditional to some extent. 

Generally, most Thais prefer the national team to take precedence, and I’m inclined to agree. However, I think the thing we have that gives us an edge over the other countries in ASEAN is our strong league. It would be great to see these clubs further professionalize, develop larger fanbases, become staples of their towns or communities. 

That goal is the very reason why I think, at least in the short run, the national team should be given the best possible opportunity to perform well in major tournaments, such as the AFC Asian Cup. I do believe people will be more inclined to support their local team once they see the national team competing on a continental level. 

Therefore, for major tournaments, I do think giving the national team enough preparation time is a good thing. However, if we are going to delay the league every time something like the SEA Games rolls around, I would have to disagree. Furthermore, I don’t think national team breaks are the primary thing that put people off from attending more Thai League games - there are plenty of other things about the fan experience we can easily improve first! 

4.Thammasat is clearly the best venue to host Thailand international matches.

Grant: Lol, I have a better view of the pitch from my back bedroom window than behind the goal at Thammasat.  

Jim: No. I’m all for taking the national team to the provinces occasionally but to do it just outside Bangkok at a terrible stadium isn’t the way ahead. What’s needed is a national team “home” in a purpose built football stadium with decent public transport links, in the capital. Given the reported financial situation of the FA, I cant see it happening soon. 

Maybe if Newin is serious about the greater good of the game, across the whole country, its something he could pay for? Can we knock Thammasat down? I’m available and own a hammer if they need help.

Marco: Overall: No. But of the grounds that meet AFC criteria, it probably is. Rajamangala and Suphachalasai are out of action so what are the options if they want to play in or around the capital? Thammasat or BG? Rock, meet hard place. 

Kenny: This isn’t just a Thailand thing, I think National Teams should go on the road and not just limit themselves to the capital city. Fans all around the country should get to see them. Korat, Buriram and Chiang Mai would be great places to host an international match.

Gian: Absolutely not. The Stadium is in the middle of nowhere and the views are awful. Rajamangala is our home ground and we should always try to play there when possible. 

Obviously that wasn’t possible during this current AFF Cup, due to the stadium being used for other events. However, what I would have done in this scenario is play the (potentially four) matches across different cities, to give people from those places a chance to watch Thailand play a competitive International. For example, we could’ve played one group game in Songkhla, one group game in Chiang Mai, a semi-final in Buriram or Nakhon Ratchasima, and (if we got there) the big final in Rajamangala. I guarantee that each of the games would’ve sold out. 

5.Muang Thong Utd v Port matches should always be played behind closed doors.

Grant: No, I think enough water has passed under the bridge by now.

Jim: The ban on fans at the games between Port and Muangthong has gone on too long.  Its clearly the fixture in Thailand that had the most animosity, but a lot of time has passed since the last occasion fans were able to attend together and the mood between the two sets of fans feels almost amicable at this point. 

If the owners and FA are worried, they should be looking to ease the process of reintroduction, bus away fans in from their home ground for the game and straight back there after, with only season ticket holders travelling on the buses allowed to attend. If that goes well, we can start easing the conditions till things are back to treating it like any other fixture. I suspect those involved prefer to wait for Marioball to get them relegated and the problem disappear.

Marco: I should say no...but playing devil’s advocate, Port picked up far more points from the games played behind closed doors or home fans only than we did when both sets of fans attended. Don’t think we won at their place with our full-contingent of fans present and we only won once when their fans were at PAT.

Kenny: After 6 years of this, I have less and less hope of the situation thawing out, every time the fixture comes around, they usually announce the away fan ban 5 days or less before matchday.

Gian: This is a surprisingly difficult one. Yes, fans of these two clubs should be allowed to visit each other’s stadiums and create an atmosphere suitable for this derby. However, with the current state of stadium security and policing, it could present a danger to fans. If conflict were to break out, there are many parts of both stadiums which could pose significant risks and safety hazards. 

The only way to allow fans back in to this fixture is by increasing the level of policing at the matches. However, is that something we want? One of my favourite things about Thai football is the relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, and I want to protect that. Seeing the presence of more ‘PAT Guards’ or the fleet of masked men Muangthong have recently employed doesn’t appeal to me.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of each individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the blog. Thank you.

New! Five Asides - Issue No.1: 2023

Here we go with what I hope will become a regular feature. Take five Thai football fans, share five contentious opinions with them and let everyone have their say. Nice and simple. Our group today consists of Neal (Ratchaburi), Alec (Chiang Rai Utd), Tommie (Port), Bill (Sukhothai) and Kevin (Port). Take it away, chaps...

1. Mano Polking will lead Thailand to the 2026 World Cup finals. 

Neal: That will be a short journey.  Seriously, I’d love to see it, but it would just be a bit more deadwood for England to clear out of the way on the road to bringing it home.  At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how many also rans are allowed to join the competition, they just aren’t good enough.  Their favourite play is parking the bus, but when you look at the state of Thai driving, they’d probably park too far from the kerb anyway.  The only benefit of Thailand reaching the finals is somebody might pay for TV rights that the entire country could benefit from.

Alec: The year is 2026. Portugal hasn't called up Ronaldo in years so he brings his talents to Thailand. Unfortunately he still can't get in the squad over a 40 year old Teerasil.

Tommie: No doubt about it. Each player will be fed a new diet of superfoods, grow a minimum of 10 cm, and by osmosis and watching lots of black and white films of football players from the 1960s, will dominate the Asian qualifying. 

Bill: Before you make this ridiculous claim, you should first examine the pedigree of Mano Polking. Did he not run away from Bangkok United after the Sukhothai Firebats slotted 5 goals against his lacklustre team? And that was after they had been spanked into defeat by Ratchaburi, Chonburi and Bangkok Glass. 

The closest I ever came to professional coaching was when the high school team I was coaching, played the local village team. The colour commentator (the man with the mike) kept calling me Peter Witte as I ran up and down the touch line. If you persist in the belief that Mano Polking can do anything with any team then I will persist in dusting off my resume preparing to replace him when his inevitable firing occurs.

Kevin: If by some miracle, Polking did get the Thais qualified, I suspect that there’d suddenly be a desire for a Thai coach at the Cup. Mano seems to have a good relationship with Madame Pang, and it would be interesting to see if that would be enough, or whether we’d get Surachai Jaturapattarapong as head coach for the 223rd time.

2. Chonburi’s contribution to Thai league football should be officially recognized with an award. 

Neal: The award for having the Most Ridiculous Box Office in Thai Football.  Such a beautiful construction full of traffic wardens directing visiting supporters to the nearest 7-11.  Probably built as far from the nearest 7-11 as possible.

Alec: I think every team should have 5 points deducted and given to Chonburi for every Chonburi academy product in their squad.

Tommie: Only award will be for the 'most isolated away section'. And the money will be spent on binoculars to be distributed to away supporters. 

Bill: This is the most challenging of questions. Chonburi’s contribution to Thai league football has been virtually zero, which should be reflected in the award. However, as hosts, Chonburi were more than generous in allowing Suhkothai to return home with a point in the bag. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travellers and perhaps St. Christopher medallions for the Chonburi team would appropriately reflect their charitable work. Unfortunately by the second half of the season each player would require a fork lift to transport him onto the pitch.

Kevin: Award for Chonburi: Induction of the 2007 team to a Thai Football Hall of Fame.

Award in honour of Chonburi: The Hungry Shark Trophy for best matchday food (that can be consumed in the stands)

3. We should scrap the league and Thai teams should just play exhibition matches against glamorous foreign opposition. 

Neal: Wow, yes, straight from the Tourism Authority of Thailand Handbook.  What a brilliant idea.  Maybe introduce mandatory hooliganism insurance that has to be purchased upon arrival in Thailand.  Then charge the foreign visitors 10x as much to gain access to Thailand’s stadiums.  The revenue earning potential would be endless.

We could ensure teams such as Liverpool and Manchester United are regularly invited and sell tickets for up to 25,000฿ per seat.  Supporters of both clubs are stupid enough to pay for the privilege.

Alec: You can't tell me that watching KDB and Haaland score 20 against Khon Kaen Utd wouldn't be more entertaining than watching KKU shithouse a 0-0 draw.

Tommie: I'd go in the other direction. Scrap the National team and focus on the league. 

Bill: This is another idea that looks good on paper but, in practice, will die a fast death. In 1999 very glamourous Arsenal came second in England’s Premier League and only let in 17 goals in the entire 38 game campaign. Then they came to Thailand to strut their stuff and demonstrate their greatness. They got beaten 4–3. Thailand almost scored 25% of the goals that Arsenal had let in against English opposition in THE ENTIRE SEASON. Needless to say, they haven’t been back since. As God stated, ‘Thailand: The Place Where Superstars Fear To Tread’.

Kevin: Why not both? Have foreign teams come and play Thai clubs and keep a running league table. Just imagine, a couple of wins over Singaporean opposition could have BG gloating that they had more points than Real Madrid.

4. T1 should be made up of 12 clubs with no relegation. T2 and T3 should be populated by ‘B’ teams and feeder clubs for the top flight elite. 

Neal: This would only work if we got rid of Buriram first to keep it interesting.  Maybe also give certain clubs the option of buying additional points.  We could then get rid of the need for VAR.  Surplus referees no longer employed by VAR could be retired with massive pensions to compensate.

T3 could be scrapped, and 2 regional T2 leagues created populated by 1 B team and one feeder team per T1 club.

Alec: T1 is already a battle between just a handful of teams anyway... why not really lean into it?!

Tommie: Even though I'm a Yank,  I like the idea of relegation. And I have no problem with feeder teams. Good way to develop talent and keep it.

Bill: Ooh, the arrogance! The author must be an Englishman! I am not English but I am not perfect either. I learned about Thai football whilst a resident of Chiang Mai. As most people know, with the exception of Coach Dennis Amato not much of any good has ever emerged from Chiang Mai. Locally Sukhothai has at least 2 wannabe powerhouse teams -Kong Krailas United and Bot City. They would become barbarically bored if their fixture list included annihilating Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai United on a regular basis.

Kevin: Sounds similar to what we have now. The lower divisions are littered with teams who have ‘relationships’ with T1 teams, and relegation from T1 is optional, if you have the right friends.

5. Everyone would benefit if Buriram Utd joined the JLeague.

Neal: After my journey to and from Buriram this season, it is in such a backwater, that it could save hours in travelling time to watch them.  Even basing them somewhere more accessible like Tokyo, but still playing in T1 would benefit many Thai supporters.  It must be quicker getting to Tokyo than Buriram. 

They don’t bring a lot to Thai football.  We’re only at the halfway stage, and they’ve already ruined the season for most clubs.  We only have the relegation battle to look forward to.

Of course, the big question would be J1, J2 or J3?  Similar to Rangers or Celtic moving South to England.  Would they be Championship or League 1 material?  What would Buriram think of being placed in J2?

Alec: In my unbiased opinion Buriram should be forced to send their entire squad to train with the Leicester youth... going forward their match squad can only consist of politicians indebted to Newin.

Tommie: Everyone would benefit from a salary cap so that the league is more competitive...and many teams could learn from the Burriram model. They have shown how to build a winner in Thailand.

Bill: Absolutely not. Timing is everything and the timing of this ridiculous remark could not be more offensive. In the second game of the present season Buriram lucked into an intensely close fought victory (it was so close, it can hardly count as a victory) over brutally unlucky Sukhothai by the score of 6–1. Ever since Sukhothai has been planning, plotting and straining at the bit to extract revenge. The date has been set for Saturday 21st of January, tickets are on sale and that death rattle that you hear is coming from Buriram knees. Buriram should be aware that on Sunday, 22nd January there is a flight leaving Sukhothai for Tokyo.

Kevin: Can’t see this happening. Everyone knows the route to the J-League is via Muangthong Utd. On the other hand, Newin doesn’t mind a bit of moving around; Ayutthaya to Buriram? No problem. Buriram to Songkla? Done. Based on Buriram’s history, picking up sticks & moving to Japan wouldn’t be a problem, although I believe Newin’s sights would be firmly set on England.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of each individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the blog. Thank you.

Chonburi FC Squad - 2nd Leg 2022/23

Goalkeepers

35. Chanin Sae-ear

80. Chommaphat Boonloet

90. Abdulfarus Sama-aeh

Defenders

2. Noppanon Kachaplayuk

3. Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot

5. Kritsada Kaman (captain)

6. Songchai Thongcham

16. Anthonio Sanjairag

20. Suksan Bunta

42. Kittipong Sansanit

44. Chalermpong Kerdkaew

86. Diego Bardanca 

98. Renato Kelić

Midfielders

11. Faiq Bolkiah

14. Phitak Pimpae

17. Jesse Curran 

19. Saharat Sontisawat

22. Channarong Promsrikaew

24. Phanuphong Phonsa

33. Go Seul-ki

77. Sumanya Purisai

Forwards

7. Yoo Byung-soo

8. Sittichok Paso

23. Dennis Murillo

81. Amadou Ouattara

99. Danilo Alves