Football is very popular in Thailand, even though the national team has never done anything much even though they have won the ASEAN football championship, but never qualified for the World Cup finals. But in Thailand TV shows in English, German, Italian, Spanish football and much more.
As in many countries in the world, football is a good conversation starter. You will find a lot of Man Utd or Barcelona fans in Thailand, but the Thai league are also popular. I mean, not in the same league of European countries as large, but popular nonetheless. Thai Premier League matches could earn a lot more than 20,000.
Phuket FC play in Division 1, which is a step below the Premier League. I went to watch Phuket several times when they were in the Southern regional league, and blog about it a few years ago - see Watch Phuket FC. They were promoted to Division 1, but last season a bit messy, Phuket seems to run out of money and supporters turned against the people who run the club. Now there is a new sponsor, which also has a large hotel group said. And so ... we went together to the match last weekend, especially because we played football with the children "Said Group Academy" and for this game he will be one of the children walked out with the team before the game :)
Phuket fans who hope to win here, against the bottom team FC Chanthaburi. Victory would lift Phuket out of the relegation zone. I would like to think that our presence helps, as part of a crowd of more than 2,000. Our children enjoy a moment in the spotlight and our children enjoyed the party atmosphere in the game as Phuket ended with a 8-1 victory, which I believe is the best ever win!
We attended with some friends whose son also plays football weekend with a team of children Kata Group. Of course at a young age, it's just for fun (our son is only 7) but hey, he'll end up in the Thai team one day! Or maybe the English team, they could do with some decent players! We sat in the main stand, and I walked to the end of the stand with the children to join the supporters seriously.
They were silenced after about 2 minutes of the game when the other team scored .. However, it did not take long for Phuket to start knocking goals in, and it was 4-1 at halftime. The stadium does look a little empty with only 2,000 fans, can withstand more ways. If you like football, came into the game! You can find info about the schedule of Phuket FC Facebook page. Home games usually start at 6:30 pm, right before sunset at this time of year.
Fun for all the family. At half time, it's beer o'clock! Some drinks and snacks are roaming around the stadium vendors selling things like chicken, orange juice and dried squid on a stick .... For anything else, well, you can quickly get out of the stadium and there is a minimarket over the road , I ran there to buy some beer for myself and our friend who is the manager of the Kata Group. Squid on a stick seller made several appearances during the game. I do not buy, it's not my thing. Thailand is very popular snack, but I think it stinks! Here the dried squid ...
We sat right at the back bench near Phuket FC Phuket goal attack in the second half. 8-1 could have been more than 10 easy, Phuket and even missed a penalty. We had a good view of goalmouth action in the second half. My children now have a small flag waves (purchased at half time, 40 Baht each) and put them to good :)
The supporters club just keeps singing ... with a little help.
