went to the chiangmai fc vs lamphon game last night, im australian so was my first experience watching a live soccer match.

is it normal for 5-6 'MEN' to be carried of on stretcher during a game? after taking a 'dive' to get a foul, and once the foul has been awarded is the fake rolling around on the ground really necessary? - i get the dive for a foul part but why carry on once the foul has been awarded? is diving and feign injury in a deliberate attempt to halt the game stop the other team on a break and take their momentum commonplace?

but on a serious note is it a professional league? i would assume so judging by the amount of foreign players but would like confirmation.

It's de rigor for the game. Combine that with a bunch of over-age, alcoholic expats who, at best, are re-living their glory days of playing amateur football, and at worst suffering delusions of being able to play, what did you actually expect?

Anyone who plays rugby will know when you are hurt the last thing you want to do is roll around on the floor.Put them all on a rugby pitch and see how long it takes them to run back to the dressing room.

My family has been to several CMFC-matches, at the 700-year stadium, but I don't recall any over-age alcoholic expats on the pitch, reliving glory-days ?

We/they were all in the stands, watching the game, but perhaps the refreshing beer has affected by recollection. Cheers !

It is professional in a sense, as that the players are paid. CMFC are in a lower division, second I think. There certainly are some better teams in the top division, such as Buriram etc.

In terms of skill level, I would rate Australia's A-League as higher.

As for the rolling around on the floor bit, welcome to Asian football.

Combine that with a bunch of over-age, alcoholic expats who, at best, are re-living their glory days of playing amateur football, and at worst suffering delusions of being able to play, what did you actually expect?

A bizarre comment by someone who has obviously never been to a game.

It is professional in a sense, as that the players are paid. CMFC are in a lower division, second I think. There certainly are some better teams in the top division, such as Buriram etc.

In terms of skill level, I would rate Australia's A-League as higher.

As for the rolling around on the floor bit, welcome to Asian football.

Why, who said it wasn't ?

It's de rigor for the game. Combine that with a bunch of over-age, alcoholic expats who, at best, are re-living their glory days of playing amateur football, and at worst suffering delusions of being able to play, what did you actually expect?

I thought Robbie Fowler played in MTU and not in Chiang Mai FC? And I was told he has left Thailand?

It is professional in a sense, as that the players are paid. CMFC are in a lower division, second I think. There certainly are some better teams in the top division, such as Buriram etc.In terms of skill level, I would rate Australia's A-League as higher.

As for the rolling around on the floor bit, welcome to Asian football.

Why, who said it wasn't ?

No one mate. Just trying to give the OP, who is an Aussie, a point of reference.