Betong Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the town of the same name, which is Thailand’s southernmost point, located in Yala Province. Information is scarce as to if any team is a tenant of the stadium.
There is a Facebook page for Betong FC, which develops children and youth first. They appear mainly to promote Futsal. No club representing the town, it would seem, has entered any regional or national competition as an 11-a-side outfit.
Further delving reveals that the Betong District Cup, played between six different teams was staged at the stadium, as the local authority looked to promote the values of using free time beneficially, to stay away from drugs and all vices. It also stages other community activities.
My visit
Saturday 4th January 2025
We were at the southernmost point of Thailand as my wife, and I travelled with her cousin and his family who were based in Hat Yai. A fantastic journey all told and Betong lived up to anywhere else with a decent bar suitable for families being enjoyed at the end of a sightseeing Friday.
I had hinted that I would walk to the stadium and take photos on Saturday morning. It is nestled below Sud Siam Park, the highest point in the town. I had tried to see if the floodlights were being used to save a second trip when we were wandering around the night market.
However, there was no need to worry. I always try to gather information about the places that I visit, and Betong City Museum was also nearby, and worth calling by, so I convinced my fellow travellers anyway. Q, our driver took us up the extremely steep hill to save a lot of hassle.
I wandered off to take my snaps while they relaxed in the park. I was delighted to have got the opportunity as previous snaps I’d seen of it came to life. And what a beautiful thing I thought it was.
It immediately put me in mind of Estádio Nacional, which I went to when in Lisbon several years previously. It moulded into the hill on two sides with white stonework, or possibly concrete painted white, looking wonderful.
The near end had a large grass bank with several tiers cut into it, while the far end, had arches and columns to give it a grandeur that made it stand above so many other provincial stadiums around Thailand.
It seemed a shame that no club in the town looked to enter the Thai League while based there, but I guess the journey and costs would play a significant part in any such decision. Not that away sides would be disappointed in having to stay in Betong on a weekend evening.
It was one of those stadiums I wanted to keep turning
around and take another look at, but it was time to head off towards more fascinating
places on the way back and some more football venues in Yala.
Should Betong ever decide to make the step up and enter a competition or if a tournament is being played when we revisit our relatives, I would try my best to fit a game at this wonderful venue into my itinerary.
