So, yesterday I had my last hospital appointment, which confirmed I was fit to fly back to the UK, which gives me a relatively free final week in Thailand. I'd like to make the best use of it. Still, waking this Saturday morning, all I have is an idea. Then over breakfast, the idea becomes real. We will be heading south. At 10:15 AM we're ready to depart.
The only concern about our destination today is the distance. We don't normally travel over 300 kilometres for shorter trips, but the route today is straightforward enough using the Kanchanaphesek tollway. The tour duration is expected to be four days with only one objective initially. That objective is, not surprisingly, to attend a football game.
As we head south and west across the Kanchanaphesek Bridge, the traffic is mostly light, and we connect with the Rama II Road, continuing west. The Rama II Road has a bad reputation. The elevated tollway has taken forever to complete, so it seems, and there have been too many accidents involving concrete beams falling onto the highway below. In addition, the Rama II has suffered from flooding, as we are well aware. There are no such issues today, and we make good progress, stopping for a khao phrik gang (curry) meal in Samut Songkram province. We can now use the Phetkasem Road for the rest of our journey as we turn south. At 3:15 PM we are in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The first job now is to buy tickets for the game tonight, and the Sam Ao Stadium is deserted at this time. It won't be for long. We double back just 500 metres and locate Pinotel Boutique Hotel, not having been here before. This hotel I booked this morning looks quite new with no frills. We check in and find we are in the next building on the third floor. Everything looks smart and clean, and the hotel has all we need. We settle in with no fuss. It's all good so far. The facilities include a small swimming pool, a fitness room, and breakfast included. The next event should be dinner before the game starts at 7:00 PM.
The game today is between the home team, Prachuap FC, and Mueang Thong United of Nonthaburi, near Bangkok. Prachuap does not have much to gain from this fixture, being the best of the rest, lying in 6th position in the Thai Premier League, detached from the leading pack. Mueang Thong, however, are in big trouble. They are normally safe in this league, but poor form this season has left them 2nd from bottom. On paper it should be an easy win for the Prachuap 'hornets.'
We have plenty of time to reach the stadium and decide on the 10-minute walk, looking for a dinner at the same time. That doesn't work, as we're picked up by local transport heading for the stadium. That means street food at the stadium is now the only option. There's loads of time now, and we're in our seats well before kickoff.
The game will start with the home team wearing their orange and black striped 'hornet' shirts while Muang Thong are wearing an all lime green kit. Prachuap will be kicking right to left from the main stand.
The game kicks off, and there is immediate action with the ball in the Muang Thong net, but this one won't count due to an offside decision. On 8 minutes the ball is in the back of the net again, and this one will count. Michel Lima, with neat footwork, wriggled through a packed defense to get a well-placed shot off inside the right-hand post. Mueang Thong continue to struggle, and they go further behind in the 35th minute. VAR confirms a foul in the penalty box, and it's E. Mendes who steps up and coolly goes for the right side of the goal to double the home team's lead. It's 2 : 0 to the 'hornets,' and Mueang Thong are in trouble.
Into the second half, and the 'hornets' have lost some of their sting as they struggle to keep a grip on the game. Their attacks are less frequent, allowing Mueang Thong to get forward. Still, as the game enters the last 10 minutes, it looks as if Prachuap will see this one out comfortably. Then on 82 minutes, Mueang Thong get a goal back through their Bulgarian centre-back Stefan Tsonkov with a powerful header from a corner on the right. It's not enough as Prachuap continue a remarkable run, seeing them firmly in the top half of the table. Muang Thong, however, will head back to Nonthaburi staring at relegation. We won't have to travel that far tonight.

Source: Visit