If you love Thai football... you must not light flares!!
I was going to stop writing about the problematic behavior of fans who like to light flares.
Because I am tired of the repeated behavior that football society refuses to accept.
We have asked for cooperation, criticized, even had to enforce the law to deal with it.
Yet in the end, everything remains the same, no change at all.
No one would blame or scold if your actions
did not cause the Football Association of Thailand, along with the clubs you support,
to be heavily fined almost every time!
Whenever it's time to pay the fines, someone says they'll pay,
but in reality, they disappear without anyone taking responsibility.
Recently, the AFC fined the Football Association of Thailand 22,500 US dollars, about 700,000 baht,
due to flares being lit inside Rajamangala Stadium after Thailand defeated Turkmenistan 2-1.
This occurred in the final qualifying match of the 2027 Asian Cup last March.
Similarly, Muangthong United’s fans (the same group) were also fined by the association again,
for lighting flares at Thale Luang Stadium.
One can sympathize with the club’s management; they are hurt by relegation,
and on top of that, they face irresponsible fan behavior causing unnecessary financial loss.
It’s the same for the Football Association under “President Pang” Nualphan Lamsam.
Currently, they have to find money to pay old debts and manage the association almost non-stop.
Instead of these fans showing sympathy, sharing the burden, and offering support,
they worsen the situation by lighting flares, causing fines to be imposed again.
Senior officials in the football association have asked me to write a warning,
because they do not want to use harsh measures to strictly control these unruly fans.
Honestly, there is little I can do,
except for this group to develop a sense of national pride and follow the rules and etiquette of football stadiums themselves.
I believe everyone shares the basic love for Thai football,
otherwise they wouldn't waste time and money buying tickets to cheer for the national team at the stadium.
But loving the Thai national team doesn't mean causing trouble for others, annoyance, or unnecessary fines.
From now on, I want all football fans to seriously campaign together.
If you truly love Thai football, "there is no need to light flares" in the stadium.
Try changing your old behavior.
You can cheer fiercely, hardcore even, but do not cause trouble for others. Can you do that?
If you can, I will give you the title of #UltimateFans,
powerful, genuine supporters!!!
- Bee Bangpakong -