How Thailand is Becoming a Friendly Football Destination

For most people, Thailand is a place with wonderfulduring the year with 3 international tournaments in
beaches and nice temples. For some others it is anPhuket, one in Pattaya and one in Bangkok. Other
adventure destination with mountain biking, trekkingThai destinations like Koh Samui and Chiang Mai may
and rafting. Sport tourism is on the rise now with asee more sport tourists when games will become
category of people wanting to visit the country, butavailable there. More interest has been seen for a
also willing to participate in a soccer training, friendlywomen soccer 7s tournament, which is now
games or tournaments.considered.
Other sports like rugby, cricket or volley-ball are alsoThe Thai Soccer 7s Tournaments are usually played
popular but this article is going to describe soccer oron 2 days during the week-end, on grass pitches of
football specifically. A group of sport men or women70 x 45 meters, full size goals, 7 minute halves, no
may join one of the following activity:offside, rolling substitution and a maximum of 12
- Soccer training campsregistered players. Teams are mainly composed of
- Friendly football gamesnon-Thais even for Thailand teams who mostly have
- Soccer 7s tournamentsexpatriate football players. The Phuket events have
A soccer training camp is a good way to enjoyregular teams who have participated since the first
Thailand while practicing football. A team of amateurtournament in 2003.
or professional football players can chose training inFIFA rules apply during these tournaments and are
the morning while enjoying the beach or other visitsenforced by an international team of referees from
in the afternoon. Isn't that a good way to combineAustralia, Singapore and Thailand. The masters over
leisure and the love of sport? The lively nightlife is35 years or over 40 years and the open are the two
not to be forgotten with many places offering foodcategories of the tournaments. Champions and
and entertainment at a very competitive price.runners-up of the Cup, Plate and Bowl are both
A friendly football game is a good opportunity toawarded a trophy for their achievement and players
meet another group of people with the samealso receive medallions.
interest. It is feasible for a group of players fromWelcome and awards parties are organized in
Hong-Kong to play with an European team in any ofentertainment places for each tournament week-end,
the Thai provinces when the games have beenadding to the event an atmosphere of friendship
organized locally. Through football new friendships areamong players and referees of different nationalities.
made and further activities such as pool and beerThe newest international soccer 7s tournament in
drinking can be shared.Thailand is the Phuket Spicy Soccer 7s, the hottest
International soccer 7s tournaments are regularly runevent in Phuket during February!