In the week leading up to Sisaket United’s home debut in Thai League 1, the country’s top level of football, I had mixed emotions. In many ways, I should have been excited. As a huge football fan, being able to cheer on the local club I support should be something to look forward to.
However, I attend football matches in the Land of Smiles for different reasons than the majority. Let me explain.
When I moved to Thailand in December 2021, I knew I would attend lots of football matches. But I wanted to do so without getting too embroiled in the emotions, and instead go to games to have fun, meet others and make friends. I try to maintain this philosophy, but it’s not easy.
Why don’t I want to get too emotionally involved? I’ll explain as best I can.
There were times living in England when football took over my life. I volunteered and carried out tasks at my hometown club, Scarborough Athletic, and later in London at Hendon FC. I was proud to give something back to the clubs that had given me entertainment, a place to meet friends, and plenty of ups and downs.
However, it hurt whenever I saw those involved in senior positions, working without pay and, in most cases, putting their own money into the club or giving their services for free, being lambasted by those who did nothing in return. Much of this can be blamed on social media, where anyone can voice an opinion, often with little thought or insight.
It hurt me mentally. I was determined to leave it behind when I started my new life.
In Thailand, my team was Port FC. I went to watch them when I could, when I visited on holiday, for a fun few hours and a team to look out for from afar without spending too much emotion on the result. That changed when I could go to all the home games.
Gradually, I got to know other expats who went to games. I had to admire their passion, but why did they get so worked up about things beyond their control? At least in England, supporters can sometimes affect the club’s thinking, but in Thailand? Not a chance, especially if you’re a farang.
There were times I found myself in pointless discussions about things that didn’t really matter, while some seemed determined to prove themselves to be superfans. I’ve never gone much on those who lambast cities or people who live there because of a rival football club. It’s bad enough when you live in that country. But in a foreign land? Madness.
I moved to Thailand to escape stress, not encourage it.
I think it’s important to understand Thai culture and how football works here. Respect for hierarchy is deeply ingrained in Thai society, and while that can be positive in many ways, it can also mean that mistakes by those in authority are not always questioned.
And that’s very much how it is in football. It is one of the reasons why I believe the game as a whole in Thailand will always trail other nations. They don’t always take advice or bring in non-Thai experts who can assist.
When I criticise, I am contradicting what I said earlier, and that’s not fair.
That is why, when I go to a match, I try to treat it as entertainment. Have a few beers, laugh, shout my head off and then forget about the result once I leave the stadium. Only, as we know, sport doesn’t work like that.
I moved to the northeast and began supporting Sisaket United and cheering on Rasisalai United, the province’s other club, which also won promotion to T1 at the end of last season.
Supporters have been treated shabbily by those running the clubs. Neither knew where they were playing their home games, as highlighted in my article Sisaket Stadium Shambles. At least, they didn’t tell their supporters. And that certainly raised my blood pressure.
Matchday is my one big day of the week. It often includes a round of golf, a trip into the city from my rural home, a chance to meet friends and fellow supporters and connect, and an event where I can let go and release pressure before happily heading back into the long grass for another week. It has a huge effect on my mental well-being.
Communication can be poor in Thailand, especially if it requires delivering bad news. This can lead to online rumours, often way off the mark, and unsatisfactory situations when simple honesty would solve them.
My poor wife was living with a madman at times, when online pages would announce something through guesswork, and genuinely well-meaning friends would forward me the “news”. Eventually, the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium, home of Sisaket United, was deemed satisfactory for Thai League football and ready for the opening game against Ayutthaya United.
The game is likely to see a big crowd. And more anxiety. Very few clubs in Thailand have grasped the simple concept of online ticket sales. While games rarely sell out, it means turning up and queuing when that time should be spent relaxing and having fun.
Getting into the area we generally use was impossible for the game that sealed Sisaket’s promotion. Maybe I’m a football snob, but I was slightly resentful about where all the thousands were when I started going in T3.
And as I get older, I don’t like being in huge crowds. Back in England, I much preferred attending non-league football or county cricket rather than the Premier League or a Test Match. You can move if you don’t like those around you.
Then there is being in T1. Last season was amazing for Sisaket province. Both of its professional football clubs were promoted, and support increased. However, much like the EPL, once you are up, it’s a battle to stay there without any real hope of winning honours. Buriram United are so far ahead of the competition that teams start the season hoping to finish second. I find that very unhealthy.
The weather is also awful at this time of the year. Huge storms seem to land each night around teatime, just as I want to watch live sport from the UK or around kick-off time in Thailand. Our local stadium has one small roof. We are likely to get soaked.
So, when my wife drops me off at the bar for pre-match drinks on Saturday, I’ll be in a state of flux.
I would love to see Sisaket win, but having a fun day out is far more important, while remembering my mantra: The quickest route to disappointment is to take Thai football seriously.
Thanks for reading.
Writing the article has been most cathartic!
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