It's now less than two weeks before we travel to the UK and there's just one more opportunity to make a tour and we can manage four nights. On the back of a game we attended yesterday, we can fit in at least one more. However, as we are heading for the coast, wouldn't it be great to just chill out for the last few days?
The journey time today is some three hours and I plan to arrive around mid-afternoon. It's gone 10.00 am before we leave and head south on the Kanchanapisek tollway then onto the Bang Na-Trat highway.
Our destination today is easy to reach using the HWY 7 tollway, but we have plenty of time so decide not to use it. This increases the travelling time by up to an hour. With spare time today, I could easily arrange train station stops, but I decide to take a break and make this trip a more relaxing experience. We take lunch just after midday and from Bang Lamung district there is not much more than an hour of travelling.
We arrive at Ban Chaitalay Room in Rayong around 2.30 pm and check-in. My first impression is that it's a bit scruffy, certainly an older building from the last century, while the apartment block next door is modern and inviting. It's now all about the room which turns out to be pretty basic, obviously not designed for modern appliances. There are also issues with cleanliness. As I look around the room for negatives, things could be worse, but it's time for the positives. The room is otherwise functional at least and the bed looks comfy to me, but this apartment has a ace up its sleeve. I get, the almost unheard of for me, a balcony with gorgeous sea view and I'll put up with an awful lot for that. It's now a question of carrying out what I came here for.
At 6.00 pm there is another football game scheduled, a Thai Premier League game between Rayong FC and Khon Kaen FC. In contrast with yesterday's game, we are talking about teams at the wrong end of the table. Rayong are not safe from relegation but for Khon Kaen it's too late. They are propping up the table and will be playing in league 2 next season. The question is, will Khon Kaen put up a fight and deprive Rayong of a lifeline to safety. As the game starts there is no sign Khon Kaen will give this up easily, but they go behind in the 22nd minute and then concede a penalty in the 39th. It's 2 : 0 at half-time and there seems no way back for Khon Kaen.
Into the second half, it's much the same, but any chance of a visitor come back is extinguished in a four-minute spell as a season of frustration spills over for Khon Kaen. Two red cards are issued, both for violent conduct, There are still 30 minutes of playing time left, at least, and the visitors are down to nine players. Inevitably there are more goals as Rayong add more in the 77th minute and 3rd minute of extra time.
The result makes no difference to the already relegated visitors and the red cards for indiscipline means that for two Khon Kaen players, the season has ended, maybe to their relief. For the victors there is more good news as results elsewhere confirm their safety. I must admit they have a good set-up here and it would have been a sad loss for the TPL if they were relegated. As a final gesture, the home supporters show great sportsmanship by applauding Khon Kaen. Nobody likes to see a team relegated. For Rayong, this is their last home game and a sweet moment. Many supporters stay on during a display of appreciation with a party atmosphere. They will go home happy. For us, it's a short journey to the hotel where all along the coastal road there is a party atmosphere of its own, Rayong is no Pattaya or Bangla Road, but it's a great holiday destination for locals with a lovely clean beach. It remains only for us to stock up for breakfast. Back in the room I have concerns about road noise but, there's no issue. I'm out like a light.

Source: Visit