Thanks. This one gave me great pleasure. In a world where hate gets so much prominence it’s great to see joy on so many faces.
14.03.2026 09:56
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Thanks. This one gave me great pleasure. In a world where hate gets so much prominence it’s great to see joy on so many faces.
Why I moved to Thailand and love it so much.
Without doubt, some of the most heart-lifting stuff I’ve had the pleasure to capture can be watched on my latest video featuring Bun Phawet Festival, both in my local village and in Roi Et.
youtu.be/TzJxgQ4-6rw?...
Great read as ever. The Great Western was closed for refurb near the end of Covid on my visit, but did the Posada and the Lych Gate Tavern plus several more places during the day and night. Another underrated city.
A top Friday was had at @wienersportclub.bsky.social in Vienna, at a traditional ground, great atmosphere, football food & clubhouse with an amazing playlist. Read all about it and the club, along with lots of images, via the link below.
worldgroundhoptwo.blogspot.com/2020/05/wien...
@officialwiganathsc.bsky.social @wafc-fanpage.bsky.social @wafcpastplayers.bsky.social
Several visits to Springfield Park and then the new stadium, which played fantastic tunes, are covered along with plenty of images, tales of woe and mishap, and the club history of @laticsofficial.bsky.social on my blog via the link below.
worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/2020/05/wiga...
A little early for check in. It’s extremely warm so a couple of G&Ts and a cleansing beer should do the trick while Mrs Rob has her feet rubbed.
I like Roi Et more every time we visit. A lot worse views in the world too.
Does the City Arms still sell pies out of the glass warmer on the bar?
Dear Shabana, I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank. You said: “A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to make a perilous crossing on small boats.” I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton and Denton, but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division. When I went to Calais, I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney. As you will know, if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking points, I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I filled water tanks and picked up litter. What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country. Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it. It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping migrants fleeing war-torn Syria. She posted videos on X, talked about handing out water and croissants to refugees and food parcels. When she returned to the UK, she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe, and legal routes for refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers whilst risking death on the seas.” She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on the boats. And again, the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when …
Dear Shabana,
Let's clear some things up around migration and remember we're talking about people's lives.
@afcwimbledon1889.bsky.social, at the original Plough Lane, before it was sold off, and the club suffered poor ownership, before fans were then sold down the river by the authorities.
Images, my visits, and club history via the link below.
worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/2015/01/thes...
An unforgettable experience with a raucous Friday night atmosphere, a missed bus to London, a great pub, & a ticket mix-up at Willem II of Tilburg in the Netherlands. Read all about it and the club, along with lots of nice images, via the link below.
worldgroundhoptwo.blogspot.com/2016/02/will...
It was a very hot day. Golf eventually OK, then a visit to a restaurant off the beaten track for a fine meal and to beat the religious day booze ban, news of which didn’t appear to reach the stadium vendors either.
And I met a German BKK-based groundhopper who recognised me from following me on X.
Sisaket, who were away to Bangkok FC, also benefited from an own goal in the last minute of their game, securing a 2-1 win after their geriatric coaching team upset the officials, with the head coach being sent to the stands. Possibly for crimes against fashion and his awful tactics on the road.
A fine back header from Nattapon after half an hour was added to by a quality finish from Alberto Gouvea just before the hour was up. His low cross was deflected into his own net by Pitipol in the fourth minute of stoppage time to put the icing on the cake. Pathom had zero efforts on goal.
Rasisalai United 3 Nakhonpathom United 0
Thai League 2
👨👨👧👧 1,879🎟️60 THB (£1.42)
A thoroughly comprehensive win from the leaders as they pressurised their opponents before calmly putting away their chances.
Then it's a slow walk back with music, dancing, and a long banner being paraded. Plenty of drinking and laughter, with water being thrown. I got home far wetter inside and out than when I left. Such a lovely vibe and great to see those of all ages taking part.
There is then a walk south of the village to a huge tree where another pole is erected, before being dropped, with kids getting the gifts.
Bun Phawet Festival Suan Kluai
An annual religious event with fun involving flowers and water. Villagers tie gifts to huge bamboo poles, which are then set in the grounds of the temple, followed by prayers.
2/2
1/2 Thailand Semipro League
Anyone wanting to discover a hidden gem located in Buriram province is invited to take a look at my latest video.
youtu.be/ZKTZKLoard0?...
A fair result, with top of the table Rasisalai going behind twice before levelling in the eleventh minute of stoppage time in Trat, adding to the tension. For a couple of minutes, Sisaket were four points behind them with a game in hand. It’s that kind of division. Certainly, never dull.
A fine-headed goal from Jota levelled things up before he was shown a red card for throwing over a player while waiting for a corner. Slightly harsh but silly on his part. Hornbill were reduced to 9 men before Sisaket had a late goal ruled out for offside. Again, I err on the side of the officials.
Sisaket United 1 Chainat Hornbill 1
Thai League 2
👨👨👧👧 2,327🎟️80 THB (£1.90)
Another non-stop encounter with controversy + some decent football from both sides. Sisaket reduced to 10 men for a late challenge that looked fair enough after VAR intervened, and then went ahead through Fillipe Veloso.
My App alerted me to this yesterday.
That's matches attended as a spectator, minus a few hidden from the memory when I was a toddler, and the few hundred games I played or managed a team in. Some may argue I was a spectator in some of those.
For any Thai train travellers, I took some photos at my local station yesterday. I translated them, showing the proposed new routes and upgrades and their proposed timescale, which are highly likely to be on the optimistic side.
Unbelievably this footage that will interest non-league fans but particularly those of @scarboroughathletic.com and Dagenham & Redbridge is nearly 49 years old.
youtu.be/nxzzCt04ScM?...
Meanwhile, the ref in the Phrae United v Sisaket United game is suspended for 6 games for failing to give a penalty following a VAR review. Not that is particularly helps Sisaket.
Thai League refereeing is abysmal at times.
The Rasisalai United v Pattaya United controversy rumbles on. The referee has been suspended for 2 months, not that it particularly helps Rasi.
Wimborne Town FC have moved homes since my visit, which can be read about via the link. Find out all about them and the wonderful day out we enjoyed at a slightly ramshackle, but welcoming venue.
worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/2020/05/wimb...
