Chiang Mai FC attracting more farangs.

[Chiengmaijoe]

It seems like at each home game more and more foreigners are attending CMFC games. I wonder if they are expats or tourists. I've been following them for 3 years, does anyone else here go regularly?

If you don't like football, I don't really want to hear about it, because it gets a bit tiresome, as do the arguments about whether it should be called football or soccer, so if you can, let's no go down those well worn paths.

[FolkGuitar]

Football? Soccer? I thought CMFC stood for Chiang Mai Fencing Club!

I suppose there's enough room in this town for two clubs with the same initials.

[Chiengmaijoe]

The real CMFC attracts about 6,000 or more fans at home games, so I think they win the rights to CMFC over the fencing club. To be honest, I can't see where the attraction in constructing wooden borders comes from.

[CBR250]

I too have been a regular attender when in the Kingdom during the past 3 years. I love it! Watched a number of matches as they fought for promotion at the end of last season. The tension and drama was worthy of the EPL, even if the skills are more Championship level (and that's being kind). Great atmosphere. The first time I have seen so many adult Thais behaving like young kids at a birthday party.

A great evening out. The 700 year stadium is good quality. Easy to access from town, easy parking. A bucket of beer with ice and an armful of snacks and I'm ready for the game. Oh, and I would suggest to anyone wanting to go for the first time that they buy the expensive tickets. I think they have gone up to 100 thb this year. But it means you get to sit under the roof in case of rain, and sit on a plastic seat rather than a cement bench. However, most of the atmosphere (vuvulevas, trumpets, smoke flares, chanting and singing) is in cheaper sections.

To check match schedule see: http://chiangmaifootballclub.com/fixtures-div-1/

[Jip99]

Anyone wishing to develop an interest in Thai football should have a look here:-

http://www.thaileaguefootball.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=539698277

[Chiengmaijoe]

Yes, CBR250, there is nothing like the sensation of approaching a stadium on match day and the sense of expectation and excitement in the air. I went to nearly all of the away games too last season, when they were in the Northern League. It was a great opportunity to spend a night in little towns like Phrae and Tak and a very different experience to being in the stands. I enjoy both home and away games for the difference in the experience but of course, this season too many away games are too far for a one night stop-over if you're driving there.

[Chiengmaijoe]

Anyone wishing to develop an interest in Thai football should have a look here:-

http://www.thaileaguefootball.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=539698277

Fixtures here.. http://chiangmaifootballclub.com/fixtures-div-1/

[BernieOnTour]

... I enjoy both home and away games for the difference in the experience but of course, this season too many away games are too far for a one night stop-over if you're driving there.

On the other hand, games like 11/10 Krabi could be combined with 1-2 nice days at the beach... ;-)

[rod2011]

Krabi FCs stadium is about 25 km from the nearest beach which is in Ao Nang.

Most of the visiting teams players stay in Ao Nang.

But not sure that fixture will be a very friendly match after the cheating at the away match in Chiang Mai. The same referee from that game had a very hostile reception at last Wednesdays match. He was actually escorted on and off the pitch by 4 soldiers.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[scottishjohn]

The real CMFC attracts about 6,000 or more fans at home games, so I think they win the rights to CMFC over the fencing club. To be honest, I can't see where the attraction in constructing wooden borders comes from.

Touché

I got the point!

Edited July 26, 2014 by scottishjohn

[opalred]

i played some years ago would they accept if i use my walking stick

[BAFC]

i played some years ago would they accept if i use my walking stick

?

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[arunsakda]

How about arranging some transport and a pickup point for the next home game?

Good craic don't you think?

Last time I went I had a problem getting a ride back to town.

[BlackArtemis]

I know of a few expat families and friends who go regularly, maybe about 10-15 total including kids. Sometimes they get a much larger group going.

[rakchaingmai]

Yes, CBR250, there is nothing like the sensation of approaching a stadium on match day and the sense of expectation and excitement in the air. I went to nearly all of the away games too last season, when they were in the Northern League. It was a great opportunity to spend a night in little towns like Phrae and Tak and a very different experience to being in the stands. I enjoy both home and away games for the difference in the experience but of course, this season too many away games are too far for a one night stop-over if you're driving there.

Phrae away was an awesome game last year sitting with a few thai friends from phrae who left after half time telling me how bad CMFC were then came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 the best game ever and what a roller coaster ride .

i also invaded the pitch and was on thai t.v .

yeah i go to most of the home games and some of the away games was on the plane to Bangkok when they told me sirahcha was cancelled but went for a few days anyway .

now looking at the krabi game in October should be a nice few days.

[Ricardo]

I too have been a regular attender when in the Kingdom during the past 3 years. I love it! Watched a number of matches as they fought for promotion at the end of last season. The tension and drama was worthy of the EPL, even if the skills are more Championship level (and that's being kind). Great atmosphere. The first time I have seen so many adult Thais behaving like young kids at a birthday party.

A great evening out. The 700 year stadium is good quality. Easy to access from town, easy parking. A bucket of beer with ice and an armful of snacks and I'm ready for the game. Oh, and I would suggest to anyone wanting to go for the first time that they buy the expensive tickets. I think they have gone up to 100 thb this year. But it means you get to sit under the roof in case of rain, and sit on a plastic seat rather than a cement bench. However, most of the atmosphere (vuvulevas, trumpets, smoke flares, chanting and singing) is in cheaper sections.

To check match schedule see: http://chiangmaifootballclub.com/fixtures-div-1/

"I think they have gone up to 100 thb this year."

We paid B120 each, last month. Still a bargain !

[junglechef]

We go as a family thing to do, often meeting up with other falang families there. As an American I don't know nor really care about soccer (oh no I used the "S" word) nor am I a great sport spectator but it's fun to hang out and have a beer, kids like to run up and down the stadium stairs and always a nice to get out of the village and come into the big city for some professional entertainment

[sfokevin]

Football? Soccer? I thought CMFC stood for Chiang Mai Fencing Club!

I suppose there's enough room in this town for two clubs with the same initials.

I'm from San Francisco and thought it was Chiang Mai Fisting Club... After I clicked I was sadly disappointed...

[Franky Bear]

I follow Thai football a bit. This guy on twitter is a wealth of good info @BKKFootballBlog as is @chonburi_fc

Edited July 27, 2014 by Franky Bear

[Jip99]

Football? Soccer? I thought CMFC stood for Chiang Mai Fencing Club!

I suppose there's enough room in this town for two clubs with the same initials.

I'm from San Francisco and thought it was Chiang Mai Fisting Club... After I clicked I was sadly disappointed...

Yes....................... I can see why football has not yet embraced America/Americans

Good luck to Chiang Mai in their match against Saraburi tonight.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Jip99

[slipperylobster]

anyway..i deleted it

Edited July 27, 2014 by slipperylobster

[MESmith]

We go as a family thing to do, often meeting up with other falang families there. As an American I don't know nor really care about soccer (oh no I used the "S" word) nor am I a great sport spectator but it's fun to hang out and have a beer, kids like to run up and down the stadium stairs and always a nice to get out of the village and come into the big city for some professional entertainment

I really must get off my lazy a$$ & take my boys one day. Anyone know how much the "Executive Hospitality Boxes" cost?

Btw, JC, red card for the S-word

[anto]

How about arranging some transport and a pickup point for the next home game?

Good craic don't you think?

Last time I went I had a problem getting a ride back to town.

The Red Lion pub ,usually organise transport to the games and back .The owner will no doubt post on here when he sees this post .

Edited July 27, 2014 by anto

[Chiengmaijoe]

After yesterday's good result at Saraburi, which incidentally was shown on Truesport5 Live, the next game is at home to Siam Navy, a team based in Sattahip. It is a 6-o-clock kick off on Sunday.

[Ricardo]

After yesterday's good result at Saraburi, which incidentally was shown on Truesport5 Live, the next game is at home to Siam Navy, a team based in Sattahip. It is a 6-o-clock kick off on Sunday.

Should be a good game, as Siam Navy are currently (I believe) second in the league, with Chiang Mai at seventh ?

http://chiangmaifootballclub.com/next-game/

[Chiengmaijoe]

We go as a family thing to do, often meeting up with other falang families there. As an American I don't know nor really care about soccer (oh no I used the "S" word) nor am I a great sport spectator but it's fun to hang out and have a beer, kids like to run up and down the stadium stairs and always a nice to get out of the village and come into the big city for some professional entertainment

Any Englishman complaining about the fact that some people use the term 'soccer' instead of 'football' should realise that the English invented the word for much the same reason that other nations still use it, to distinguish between different ball games.

From Wikipedia...... "The term soccer originated in England, first appearing in the 1880s as an Oxford "-er" abbreviation of the word "association".

The rules of association football were codified in England by the Football Association in 1863 and the name association football was coined to distinguish the game from the other forms of football played at the time, specifically rugby football."

As a kid I often got a Boys Soccer Annual for Christmas. I'm not quite sure when the term was mostly dropped in the UK, but it certainly originated there.