Visit of 4 top Euro teams will cost 1 Billion Baht

Visits by four of Europe's biggest teams will cost close to Bt1 billion, but Thailand gets little lasting benefit



This issue came into sharp focus again after Singha Corporation revealed they paid around Bt400 million for the visit by Manchester United and Chelsea, with whom they have lucrative sponsorship contracts as global partners. It meant the total cost for bringing the four clubs to Thailand could be just short of Bt1 billion.

But that sort of money could yield a massive improvement to Thai football if spent on facilities or local development.

Would it not be wiser to spend such vast sums on something more tangible than just brief appearances by star players?

Read the full article at The Nation.

TrueVisions launches new channel for Manchester United soccer fans

TrueVisions yesterday partnered with the Manchester United Fan Club to launch the MUTV Channel as a part of its customer-retention plan, particularly for soccer fans, before the new season of the English Premier League kicks off on arch-rival CTH.

"We are now happy with the churn rate, which is still below our estimate. We also expect that our existing subscribers who want to watch live EPL matches will opt to stay with us and buy a new set-top box provided by the EPL rights holder," said Ong-ard Prapakamol, chief commercial officer.

Rag -  think their 'churn' rate is about to rise......

Read the full article at The Nation.

Pattaya FC put Manchester United and Chelsea's pre-season visits to Thailand in jeopardy.

Manchester United and Chelsea's pre-season plans are in danger of being thrown into chaos - by a fourth-tier team from Thailand.



Pattaya FC successfully won an injuction that prevented a vote of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) taking place at the weekend which should have confirmed amendments to their rules in line with FIFA requirements.

The world governing body has taken a dim view of the development and warned the FAT they risk being suspended from international competition should a resolution not be reached by the beginning of next week.

Whilst the internal machinations of Thai football do not normally generate much interest in the UK, in this instance the impact of any suspension would affect both United and Chelsea,who are due to visit at the start of their pre-season campaigns next month.

Read the full article at The Mail Online.

Moyes not to tour Thailand with Manchester United

Reports in the UK press today suggest that the new Man Utd manager, David Sméagol Moyes, will not be coming to Thailand as part of the team’s Asian tour.



Allegedly an unfortunate encounter with a person of the third gender on a previous visit to Thailand, has led to Moyes being grounded by his wife.

Ferguson irked by 'dying swan' Luiz

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson accused Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz of acting like a "dying swan" in the incident that led to United defender Rafael da Silva being sent off in their encounter at Old Trafford.

Rag - Funniest thing I've read in ages. The manger who turns a blind eye to antics of the ultimate 'swan', Ashley Young, has the gall to criticise another team's player. Wind yer neck in Ferguson.....

Read the full article at the Bangkok Post.

Manchester Utd v Real Madrid

Fergie's tactics lost the game not the red card.

Many 10 man teams win games particularly if they are in front when a player goes off. Chelsea played Barcelona with 10 and won. Thing is, when you go down to 10 it's normal for a manager to pull off a forward and put on a def-mid or defender. Fergie chose to take off a forward and replace him with a forward, Rooney. Manchester Utd lost the game cause Fergie tried to be smart tactically and it back fired. He got the tactics wrong and is now hiding behind a red card smokescreen.

Hope UEFA take action. It's time Fergie was shown he's not bigger than the game. As for Ferdinand, ban him from not showing the required level of respect to the officials. Forget that, ban him for just having no class.

Rooney, Maid of Manchester

Nike's new Man U strip is in red gingham.......

via  Taking Off Your Manchester United Shirt After Looking Like A Tea Towel