Thailand National Team

[mrtoad]

Day one and they've got me talking like a girl, says new Thailand boss Peter Reid

By Peter Reid

Last updated at 12:42 AM on 01st September 2008

Well, it’s been pretty lively here.

Arrived in Bangkok at 6am on Thursday after a 14-hour flight and I was feeling a bit dishevelled — not that it stopped the paparazzi.

No sympathy there.

Just what you need when you’re not looking your best — a shock of flashbulbs!

They’re mad on their football over here, especially the Premier League, so without blowing my own trumpet they are aware of me and I’m considered a reasonable name from my time as a player and a manager with Sunderland and Manchester City.

To be honest, it’s nice to get that sort of reception.

It gives you a buzz again, being in demand, being wanted.

It’s exciting.

It seemed to create a stir anyway and I was on the news — on the slot just after the riots!

Yep, that’s right, riots, but it’s nothing to do with me!

Apparently, a group called the People’s Alliance for Democracy have been protesting that the Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej should step down and it got a bit ugly with about 2,000 of them getting involved with police, who used tear gas and rubber bullets.

It has ended up with three airports being blocked, railway services being disrupted and the prime minister seeking an audience with the king to talk it over.

You couldn’t make it up. I bet Sir Alex Ferguson will still say it’s my fault!

Anyway, once it died down a bit I thought I’d have a look around the city.

I’ve been assigned a driver and he took me to one of the karaoke bars, which they love over here.

Of course, as people back home will vouch, I’m pretty good at the old singing, so after a bit of prompting from my, er, fans I got up and did a few Andy Williams numbers.

You know You’re Just Too Good To Be True?

Well you might not recognise this version.

Former England midfielder Reid is getting to grips with the language after agreeing to become the new Thailand boss

It seemed to go down well, anyway, because they were shouting for more.

Must be tone deaf!

I’ve been staying in the Radisson Hotel, which is nice and plush, and the staff have been very helpful, even though they’ve been having a laugh at my expense over the language — Thai not scouse!

They’ve been trying to teach me how to say ‘thank you’ in Thai but gave me the female version, kop kun ka, instead of kop kun kap, which is how men pronounce it.

Charming.

The national team manager and they’ve got me talking like a girl!

It was a laugh all the same and then on Saturday I took in a game.

I should be signing my contract officially on Monday so I thought it was important to watch a few of the players, and I went to see BEC Tero beat Royal Thai Customs 2-0.

There was a goalkeeper, a defender, a midfielder and a striker from the national side all playing so it was good to see them close up.

There were a few cameras again when I turned up at the stadium and a bit of fuss from the fans, but it was all good.

The people here have been fantastic and I got a good, positive reception — certainly better than being booed.

I was impressed.

The players are only part-time but technically they are very good.

I’ve got to go to Vietnam and Singapore to see other players in the squad, but the things we need to work on will be the physical side, the defending and set-pieces.

I need to make them more streetwise really so they can compete better against the other sides.

They are a very proud nation so there’ll be no problem getting them to do the work.

I’ve also spoken to the likes of Peter Withe, who used to coach them here, and ESPN have put me in touch with some other good local contacts.

The president says he will get the players together socially, too, so we can break the ice.

The structure is actually very good.

I should be bringing one or two coaches over myself in the next week or so but I’d also asked for a training centre and they’ve got one with a swimming pool and all mod cons.

The pitches are also very good which was surprising.

The one thing you do notice, though, is the heat.

Not quite as hot as chasing Diego Maradona in Mexico but it’s warm all the same.

I’m sure I’ll cope, though.

I won’t have the day- to- day involvement of a club boss being a national manager but it’s football daft here so there’s always something to keep me occupied and in touch with the Premier League.

I watched Everton-Portsmouth on Saturday with a Newcastle fan.

I wish I hadn’t.

But he wasn’t too chirpy either after the Arsenal game later on.

Still, I got a few texts from Big Sam Allardyce and Fergie wishing me well.

They’re both desperate to come over here and see what it’s like but I said they’re not allowed.

There seems to be enough trouble in town without those two coming over!

Looks like he's setling in nicely. Sure to see him in Cowboy over the coming months.

[Sunderland]

Let me one of the first to welcome you to Thailand, Peter ...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[LeungKen]

Not got too much to do at the moment Mr.T ?...

[tw25rw]

If he tries to restrain himself and not show much emotion, in the Asian way, he'll have lost 90% of his potency as a manager.

He says <deleted> as often as the average Thai man would say krab..

[mrtoad]

Not got too much to do at the moment Mr.T ?...

Was waiting to go out.

Which I've now done, had a couple of beers with Reidy, sang a few songs and signed him on for our Vets team.

[LeungKen]

I have just been imagining Peter Reid and a certain Mr.Toad singing a selection of songs from the "King & I"

I Whistle A Happy Tune

Welcome To Bangkok

Getting To Know You

I Have Dreamed

My Lord and Master

We Kiss in the Shadows

Shall We Dance

A Puzzlement

I think I had better go and lie down............