koratvinnie

It's on Goal TV / Astro Supersport.

Thanks for your help Prajak and EirikJohannsen. I intend to visit Nong Khai for a few days with family in July. Not bothered about farang food/restaurants so that's not an issue for me. I found the other topics you mentioned, Prajak, and have found some other good info elsewhere. Thanks for your help again.

Nong Khai is a very nice place. On the railwaystation it is a very good Hotell from 600B and up to 1200B have very nice swimmingpool. Rest of the Hotels in Nong Khai are in very bad shape and over priced.

The western food in Nong Khai is cheep but not very good, its depends on who is cooking that day, sometimes you cant eat it and another they its ok, stick to Thai food and stay away from the western bars, only drunken expats there and rip of girls(not all). The Taj sadet market is very nice and whort visiting.

What's the name of the hotel near the railway station? Thanks.

Which country in the world with a land area somewhat smaller than France sees a benefit in maintaining 77 tiny provinces?

I know the answer: Thailand!

The reason? Local bureaucrats and politicians demand their own little fiefdoms that they can prey on financially.

Another case of "Amazing Thailand" indeed. As if 76 provinces weren't already more than enough.

England, nearly four times smaller than Thailand, has 83 counties and unitary authorities. Can we not have a yawning emoticon for the repetitive, and often wide-of-the-mark, cynicism which permeates Thai Visa?

p.s "Tiny"? If Korat were a country it would be larger than 44 other countries by area, and larger than 57 by population.

Compared to the other provinces:

- In size, it comes in at about number 50.

- In population, it comes in at about number 60.

- In density, it comes in at about number 45.

I'd say that's big enough to make a new province.

Also, owing to the shape of Nong Khai province and the location of Muang district, some of the eastern districts were close to a couple of hundred kms – on bad roads – from the administrative capital – prior to separation.

Seemingly, underlying your negativity on this issue is a disposition that it is a waste of money. It may well be. But can you come up some decent arguments beyond the glib? Based on your disposition the new airport would not have been built, neither would most new highways, schools or the new govt complex as some examples.

There are many naysayers on forums who make glib remarks without debating the merits of a issue, discussing some of the pros & cons and who avoid engaging in some analysis. I wont ask you to refrain from posting, It is up to you how you in what manner you wish to post. However, I will invite to be more positive, consider some of the obvious benefits of this project and to take the time to critiquely analyse some of the issues being discussed.

Well said, 'Lakegeneve'. I can't stand the never-ending negativity and cynicism on forums – particularly this one. Where every news story is followed by dozens of hackneyed, cliched, boring "this is Thailand" and "Amazing Thailand!" type comments. Maybe there's a lot to be cynical and negative about, but, as you say, the negative comments are rarely supported by an explanation or argument supporting the cynical position – just scattergun negativity. Thank you for your well-written and well-informed posts, 'Lakegeneve'.

It certainly won't stop in "most" Isaan provinces as one poster suggested because most Isaan provinces still don't have ANY rail service, and it's been over 100 years since the first tracks were laid in Thailand. Of the 19 Isaan provinces (20 if you count Bueng Kan) only eight have rail service: Korat, Khon Kaen, Udon, Nong Khai, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon. Personally I'd rather see 'snail rail' introduced to every Isaan province than this high-speed link for a few. It's always struck me how the cheapest form of public transport isn't available to millions of the poorest Thais.

I think this rail project is not for the poorest of Thais, but for Chinese exports. Yunnan Province is landlocked, you see.

I understand that. What I'm saying is, given the choice (and I know no such choice exists) I would prefer to see a rail service, however slow, extended to all Isaan provinces as opposed to a high speed rail link which, according to many of the posts on here, mainly seems to be for the benefit of the Chinese. Does it not strike you as remarkable that it's now 111 years since Korat railway station opened and yet eleven of the nineteen Isaan provinces have never had any rail service?

It certainly won't stop in "most" Isaan provinces as one poster suggested because most Isaan provinces still don't have ANY rail service, and it's been over 100 years since the first tracks were laid in Thailand. Of the 19 Isaan provinces (20 if you count Bueng Kan) only eight have rail service: Korat, Khon Kaen, Udon, Nong Khai, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon. Personally I'd rather see 'snail rail' introduced to every Isaan province than this high-speed link for a few. It's always struck me how the cheapest form of public transport isn't available to millions of the poorest Thais.

His surname is 'Monday'?

Hi Koratvinnie, sorry for late reply. I would be interested in joining you for the match on the 13th. March. I do not know where the Walrus is. Could you post directions. I know where the stadium is and will be coming to Korat from Sikiu

Sent you a personal message.

Hi Koratvinnie, sorry for late reply. I would be interested in joining you for the match on the 13th. March. I do not know where the Walrus is. Could you post directions. I know where the stadium is and will be coming to Korat from Sikiu

I am glad to say that BURIRAM PEA are away at Khon Kaen this Sunday so you can count me out,prehaps wolfman,druryfire and Greg will join you?

Remeber Khon Kaen are temporarily playing home games in Mahasarakham.

I've been supporting Nakhon Ratchasima F.C for over four years now and most of the time it's been a pretty solitary occupation. I ride my motorbike up to the stadium, watch the match, and then ride back home again. Last season, I really started to pine for the traditional matchday experience - a few drinks and banter with like-minded people before, during and after the match.

My route to the stadium takes me past the Walrus on Seubsiri Road and I often thought that it would be a great meeting place for fans given its relative proximity to the ground. And with the new season just around the corner, now seems like the perfect time to try and get a supporters' group off the ground.

The popularity of Thai football has gone through the roof in the past couple of years and farangs have been getting involved, too. Chonburi F.C, Chiang Mai F.C (which started with a thread on Thai Visa) and Chiang Rai Utd have official farang supporters clubs, but I'm aiming for something much more informal, hence the use of the word 'group' rather than 'club'.

I know a few Korat farangs have been to the odd NRFC match before and that many more are football fans. Surely you must miss the Western ritual of going to watch a game every weekend? Knowledge of, or interest in, Thai football is absolutely not a requirement or prerequisite. That knowledge and interest will build as the weeks and months go by.

So, with no further waffle, the first home game is on Sunday March 13th at 18:00 at the 80th Birthday Stadium (SEA Games main stadium) against Sakon Nakhon. If you're interested then we'll meet at the Walrus - I don't know - an hour or two before kick off? Then we could all travel up to the ground together and watch the match.

I'm hopeful of a positive response to this idea. At the end of the day, there don't seem to be too many farang social events on the calendar here in Korat so hopefully this goes some way towards addressing that.

If you need further convincing, drinking beer whilst watching the match is allowed here in Thailand and a matchday ticket is just 50 baht.

I guess it would be useful if people reply here if they are intending to come along just so I can get an idea if anyone is interested, but you don't have to. Of course, pass this on to anyone that doesn't use Thai Visa who you think may be interested.

Finally, yes, Steve at the Walrus has of course given the idea the all clear.

So, I hope to see you all at the Walrus on the 13th!

^{Agree with everything written in response to Chiangmai Foxy. 'Better late than never' would be my attitude to the recent converts. And Mr Foxy's 'I was here first, I've been going for the past two seasons' attitude won't get him very far. Chiang Mai United were formed in 1999 when the old Provincial League was launched. They used to play in pink and have an elephant on their crest instead of a tiger, but it is essentially still the same club. We can only assume ChiangMai Foxy was a "closet plastic fan" from 1999 to 2008.}

I don't know why this appears in tiny letters. I can't edit it either. ???

Incidentally, for those interested, Chiang Mai finished 11th out of 12 in their first ever season – 99-00. Korat finished one place above them. Pattani were bottom; Sisaket won the division:

Provincial League 1999-2000

1. Sisaket 22 14 5 3 47

2. Suphanburi 22 15 1 6 46

3. Satun 22 13 6 3 45

4. Udon Thani 22 12 2 8 38

5. Nakhon Sawan 22 11 4 7 37

6. Nakhon Pathom 22 8 7 7 31

7. Bangkok 22 6 6 10 24

8. Songkhla 22 6 6 10 24

9. Surat Thani 22 5 8 9 23

10. KORAT 22 5 7 10 22

11. Chiang Mai 22 5 4 13 19

12. Pattani 22 2 4 16 10

^{Agree with everything written in response to Chiangmai Foxy. 'Better late than never' would be my attitude to the recent converts. And Mr Foxy's 'I was here first, I've been going for the past two seasons' attitude won't get him very far. Chiang Mai United were formed in 1999 when the old Provincial League was launched. They used to play in pink and have an elephant on their crest instead of a tiger, but it is essentially still the same club. We can only assume ChiangMai Foxy was a "closet plastic fan" from 1999 to 2008.}

Well done to Chiang Mai. A thorougly deserved promotion after dominating their division and then their play-off group. A big club with a lot of potential.

www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

What a game last night at the 700 year stadium, Chiang Mai 1 - nil up, then Phchit 2 - 1 up, before the final score of 3-2 to Chiang Mai. Saraburi and Buriram both won so with 2 games to go Chiang Mai are on 19 points, Buriram on on 17 points and Saraburi on 16 points, Top 2 go up. So a win for Chiang Mai next week at Rangsit will give them Promotion. Otherwise the last game of the season on Christmas day will be massive with Chiang Mai hosting Saraburi 4pm Kick-Off.

Saraburi are only on 15 points and have a significantly worse goal difference thanks to a 5-1 thumping by Buriram. Looking good, but [English Pessimism] it all could go horribly wrong yet. [/English Pessimism]

They'll almost certainly use head-to-head to split teams level on points; not goal difference. Unless the head-to-head record is the same, in which case GD will be used.

Sunday 28th at 17:00 according to the Buriram website www.buriramfc.com

Yep a good 2-0 win down in Trang last night. I hope the game between Saraburi and Buriram ends in a draw today, that will make it interesting at the top.

The Buriram game won't be played today because the Chidchobs are watching their other club - Buriram PEA - play in the League Cup final in Bangkok.

note - Yesterday it was announced that Division 1 and the Premier League will be increased (by2) to 18 clubs each. The knock on affect means 8 teams from Division 2 will get the chance for promotion. 4 will go directly up, the next 4 will probably play off against bottom 4 of Division 1.

Really? Are the leagues to be incresed in size next season? if that is true, then what does that mean for the playoff league that cmfc are playing in?

The top two from each play-off group will go up automatically, as planned. And the teams that finish third, and possibly fourth, may also get the chance for promotion by playing yet more play-offs against the teams that finished just above the relegation zone in Division 1.

Confused? Wondering why all this wasn't sorted out before the play-offs got underway? Welcome to Thai football!

Latest tables LINK

Chiang Mai's next game is at home to Trang (bottom of the group, lost four out of four) next Sunday at 18:00.

700 lol I think more like 1500-1800 from buriram would be more precise amongst a crowd of at best 12000

A bit more than 12,000 i think , the main stand must hold 7,000, 1,500 Burriram so your saying that there was only 3,500 people in the rest of the ground

,

they out sung us most of the game!!

A big away following will always out sing a home ground due to them being more fanatical and diehard regardless if they get paid or not.

It's always good to have a laugh to brighten up a Monday morning at work. These fanatic diehards were notable by their absence last season when Buriram F.C were attracting home crowds of 150-200 before the Chidchobs and their money came along.

Got 10 tix no problem from club shop on Chanklan.

Guy in shop said 7000 Buriram supporters are expected!!! Someone else mentioned that the club pay them 300bht to attend away matches!

More Chiangmai fans also expected to turn up. Doesn't think will sell out, but def more than usual.

Should be a cracker!

I think 700 would be more accurate based on what they were taking to most games during the regular season. 7000 would be 5000 more than Big Brother club Buriram PEA took to any TPL match. BFC have only been getting 4000-5000 for home games in the play-offs. I'm sure the guy meant to say 700 but, then again, you can't put anything past that lot.

Hello to the faithful out there.

I've heard tickets maybe required. I know that it sounds stupid but on the web and the chiang mai site it staes that tickets are advised. Don't hold me to it, but there is a security risk due to Newin Chidchob. It's his team that we are playing, and if you know of him you will understand why. On the forums, they say that there may be quite a few away fans. My advice is to get a ticket, I don't think its all ticket, but the club are advising fans to buy one. I can only think its due to security checks getting into the game. If anyone has any more info then please post it. Even if it's just a rumor.

Yours Faithly

EAST SIDE NORMALS

Is this definitely chidchob's team? There's another Buriram team in the Thai Premiere league, I think.

He controls both Buriram teams. They are one and the same. Same stadium, same fans, even same players (there are seven Buriram PEA reserves in the Buriram F.C team). There will be a lot of away fans there because they each get paid 300 baht to go to away games. The whole set-up absolutely stinks to high heaven.

All round 3 results and tables LINK

By the way, does anyone know what the other scores in the league were this weekend? Would be most grateful for a listing/link.

cheers

H.

Decent English language link but not yet updated with yesterday's scores.

I'm covering the play-offs on my website Nakhon Ratchasima F.C website