Where will you be watching the World Cup?

Posted by admin on June 4th, 2010 filed in Adventure, Living here, tourist tips

Yes it’s finally here! World Cup fever is sweeping Thailand and putting the bad blood of recent months firmly into the shade. Although Thailand failed to qualify for this year’s tournament, this football-crazy nation will be glued to the box as every game is hyper-analysed and debated for thirty thrilling days of soccer mayhem.

It seems that wandering around Chiang Mai at the moment that people have already adopted their uniform of choice. England shirts, France, Spain and, of course, Brazil are all well represented in the affections of Thai footie fans. And I’m sure the Japanese and Korean contingent living here will make themselves heard, as well as the farang army in full boisterous voice.

I am lucky enough to be jetting off to South Africa for a couple of weeks to follow The Three Lions at the coalface. This will surely be a memorable trip for a number of reasons, but a part of me is glad that I’ll be returning to watch the climax of the event here in Chiang Mai. I’ll be happiest propping up the bar at my favourite watering hole of Small House (in the small square opposite Hillside Condo 4 off Huay Kaew) supping a Leo and arguing over the latest refereeing catastrophe.

The bar is sure to be a bastion of Anglo-pride despite the vehement protestations of the American-Thai owners. However, despite the undoubted humiliation of the USA team in the group rounc, the chances of England being involved in the final stages being very slim indeed.