As we enter into the final weekend before returning to the UK, there is only one thing on the agenda: Football. This weekend coincidently, sees the final round of fixtures so there's a lot at stake for some teams. My attention turns to Thai League 2 where two automatic promotion positions are up for grabs.
For automatic promotion, it seems that Chonburi have it in the bag. They will be returning to the TPL after one season's absence. The other position will see a fresh face in the TPL and I'm in a great position to attend a game tonight involving one of those teams.
The two main contenders are Ayutthaya United FC and Phrae FC who are separated in 2nd and 3rd positions merely by the number of games won with Phrae having the advantage. Today, Ayutthaya are in action with a home game against Bangkok FC who themselves have a chance of the playoffs. Phrae on the other hand have a tricky game away at Chaing Mai. This is going to be fun as I leave for the one-hour journey to Ayutthaya.
After an early dinner in the city, we head for the provincial stadium where there is guaranteed excitement. We arrive and find a parking space which is at a premium today with a big crowd expected. We secure tickets for the lowly sum of 100 baht but soon realise that the main stand opposite for just a little more is the best place to be. It seems more comfortable than sitting on concrete steps where we find ourselves, plus we are facing into the setting sun. The stadium overall will not win any prizes, but the toilets are clean and there is plenty of food to select from at the many stalls set up. As the clock ticks towards 6.00 pm the stands become packed. The ground holds 6,000 supporters and that suggests with a crowd of this size, Ayutthaya could hold their own in the TPL.
As the game kicks off, there is tension in the crowd. Any slip up today will mean their teams getting involved with the lottery of playoffs. They want promotion here and now but for the moment, tensions ease as 'The Warriors' take the lead in just the 4th minute. The home team then take their foot off the gas and allow the visitors back in with goal in the 14th minute. Tensions return as this is not enough with the game still goalless at Chiang Mai. We approach half-time and the Brazilian influence on Thai league football is seen again with a beautiful overhead kick by Caíque Lemes. We go into the break with advantage to Ayutthaya.
Into the 2nd half and Bangkok are showing no signs of a comeback, but Ayutthaya's future is still not certain as an equaliser here or a Phrae goal could change everything. Then, in the 54th minute Caíque strikes again. It should be all over, but the crowd know that it's not over till it's over. Then surely it is, when two more Brazilian goals go in, in the 69th and 73rd minute. This stadium goes wild and soon they hear of a Chiang Mai goal and the celebrating begins in earnest. With a sense of what they've achieved finally sinking in, the 'Warriors' put on quite a show in the final stages of this game. The final score 5 : 1 is more than enough to secure promotion even though Phrae pull a goal back to level. It's a special moment to be at a game when a team gets promoted and I look forward to returning here for some top TPL games. Just for the record, with the final TPL place to be decided with playoffs, the fixtures are; Phrae (3) vs Mahasarakham (6) and Kanchanaburi (4) vs Lampang (5). May the best team win, but whichever one it is, creates a new opportunity for me to visit a new stadium next season. With the game finishing before 8.00 pm we have a straightforward run back to Bangkok after a fascinating piece of entertainment.

Source: Visit