I'd been to Chonburi Stadium the previous Thursday for the Thailand national team match against Nepal. I was delighted to be cheering on my adopted nation once again. I had learned what I thought was the best way to the stadium by public transport after heading to a game at nearby North Bangkok University the previous weekend.
I changed buses at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat to catch a service to Zeer Rangsit, where I grabbed some food and drink. I waited some time before the busy 538 air-conditioned bus arrived. It dropped me right outside the stadium.
I bought a ticket for the normal home end and was soon upstairs on the top deck. It was great for plane spotters but not vertigo sufferers, especially as you needed to be at the back to see the near goal. I didn’t really enjoy it, if truth be told, despite the dramatic view.
The Ultras made the near goal even harder to see when they arrived with their flags. They made a proper noise at the same time. The Thai Power fan group was at the other end. Bordin Phala had Thailand's first effort, but keeper Warner Hahn easily gathered his low shot.
This was before Hahn produced a good low save to keep out Suphanat Mueanta, who then had a low near-post volley disallowed for offside. At this point, I moved downstairs a level to the middle tier, where I felt more comfortable.
The hosts were playing some neat football, with Suriname having their backs to the wall. Theerathon Boonmatan was next to go close, with a bending free kick. Bordin opened the scoring three minutes shy of the half-hour mark when he came inside and fired in a curling shot from twenty-five yards.
Head coach Alexandré Pölking had his charges playing well, and they were on a fine run since being crowned Southeast Asian champions. But Suriname hadn’t turned up to sightsee. They nearly drew level when Leandro Kappel dragged his shot across the goal shortly into the second half.
Kritsada Kaman went close with a free kick for the Thais before keeper Sivaruk Tedsungnoen made a miraculous save from sub Jeredy Hilterman, who really should have scored from the low cross.
The visitors continued to create chances. Tjaronn Chery was found on the edge of the box in acres of space. Sivaruk saved his low shot. In the end, the home side won 1-0. It was now time to plan my trip home. I crossed the bridge, where a minivan was waiting to take fans back to Victory Monument.

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