| For most people, Thailand is a place with wonderful | | | | during the year with 3 international tournaments in |
| beaches and nice temples. For some others it is an | | | | Phuket, one in Pattaya and one in Bangkok. Other |
| adventure destination with mountain biking, trekking | | | | Thai destinations like Koh Samui and Chiang Mai may |
| and rafting. Sport tourism is on the rise now with a | | | | see more sport tourists when games will become |
| category of people wanting to visit the country, but | | | | available there. More interest has been seen for a |
| also willing to participate in a soccer training, friendly | | | | women soccer 7s tournament, which is now |
| games or tournaments. | | | | considered. |
| Other sports like rugby, cricket or volley-ball are also | | | | The Thai Soccer 7s Tournaments are usually played |
| popular but this article is going to describe soccer or | | | | on 2 days during the week-end, on grass pitches of |
| football specifically. A group of sport men or women | | | | 70 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 camps | | | | registered players. Teams are mainly composed of |
| - Friendly football games | | | | non-Thais even for Thailand teams who mostly have |
| - Soccer 7s tournaments | | | | expatriate football players. The Phuket events have |
| A soccer training camp is a good way to enjoy | | | | regular teams who have participated since the first |
| Thailand while practicing football. A team of amateur | | | | tournament in 2003. |
| or professional football players can chose training in | | | | FIFA rules apply during these tournaments and are |
| the morning while enjoying the beach or other visits | | | | enforced by an international team of referees from |
| in the afternoon. Isn't that a good way to combine | | | | Australia, Singapore and Thailand. The masters over |
| leisure and the love of sport? The lively nightlife is | | | | 35 years or over 40 years and the open are the two |
| not to be forgotten with many places offering food | | | | categories 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 to | | | | awarded a trophy for their achievement and players |
| meet another group of people with the same | | | | also receive medallions. |
| interest. It is feasible for a group of players from | | | | Welcome and awards parties are organized in |
| Hong-Kong to play with an European team in any of | | | | entertainment places for each tournament week-end, |
| the Thai provinces when the games have been | | | | adding to the event an atmosphere of friendship |
| organized locally. Through football new friendships are | | | | among players and referees of different nationalities. |
| made and further activities such as pool and beer | | | | The 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 run | | | | event in Phuket during February! |