Thai Port’s financial problems have resurfaced yet again, just as the club is preparing for the League Cup Final against Buriram PEA. In early May we reported on the ownership dispute and financial problems plaguing the club. A week later we said “Something tells us we could be writing ‘Port Problems (part 3)’ in the not-too-distant future”. Well, it took a bit longer than we expected, but, unfortunately, here we are, five months later with a familiar tale from Khlong Toey.
It’s been reported in the Thai sporting press that the Port players now haven’t been paid for three months and have said they will go on strike if they don’t receive their back pay before the League Cup final, on October 15th. On top of this, the notoriously fiery Khlong Toey Army – the club’s fans – are furious with recent performances which have seen them lose four in a row. They are placing most of the blame at coach Thongchai Sukkokee’s door. Under his leadership, the side has become incredibly negative and defensive and have scored just two goals in the past eight games. The coach has said he will resign if Port lose to PEA in the final. Let’s just hope that there is a final.
A quiet weekend and the Regional League Play-Off Draw
Actually there’s nothing! Not in Bangkok anyway. The TPL and Division 1 take a break (yes, another one!) owing to the World Cup Qualifiers next week, and the Regional League finished its regular season last week so no games in the capital this weekend.
Speaking of the Regional League, the draw for the play-offs was made in Ratchaburi on Wednesday. The twelve qualifiers were split into two groups of six. Kasetsart University are in Group A with Loei City, Phichit, Pattalung, Phitsanulok and Ratchaburi. A difficult group as Phitsanulok and Ratchaburi are both considered strong and Pattalung, as well as qualifying for the play-offs, also made it all the way to the League Cup semi-finals. 
The other Bangkok qualifier, North Bangkok, goes into Group B with Rayong, Lamphun, Krabi, Roiet and Nakhon Ratchasima. The first fixtures will be played on the weeknd of the 15th/16th October. Kasetsart host Pattalung on the 15th and North Bangkok are at Lamphun on the 16th. The top two from each group will be promoted to Division 1.
If you don’t mind travelling for your football fix then there are two TPL games outside of Bangkok. Siam Navy host Sisaket in Sattahip on Saturday and Samut Songkhram are at home to Siracha on Sunday. Both games start at 6pm.