Holiday to Russia or Thailand?
The start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is getting closer. The first game will be played in Moscow in less than two weeks.
Yes, Belgian friends, I know, you don't have to rub it in on us Dutch people, we are not there with the Dutch national team. It is a good reason to shift the attention of Dutch football fans to another country and what else should it be our southern neighbors Belgium. I have every feeling that the Red Devils can get very far in the tournament and could even reach the final.
To Russia?
We will be able to watch all the matches on television, but there is nothing better than cheering for your own country on the spot in some Russian city. Hundreds of thousands of foreigners will spend their holidays in Russia.
To Thailand?
For the regular visitor to Thailand, who considers himself an ardent football fan, it will be a choice. To Russia or to Thailand and watch the matches there, which will all be shown on Thai television. For the Belgian and Dutch people in Thailand, there will be catering establishments in many places, where the matches will simply be shown with their own commentary.
The hospitality industry in Thailand during the World Cup
The hospitality industry in Thailand will undoubtedly benefit from the interest in the World Cup, but I am now also hearing other sounds. I spoke to some catering entrepreneurs, who complained about the low number of tourists from the West. It was feared that the cause must be found at that World Cup, because in their view many regular Thailand visitors - and this does not only mean tourists from the Netherlands and Belgium - would opt for a trip to Russia this time.
Reader question
To be honest, I don't really believe in what the catering entrepreneurs say (after all, they always complain), because I don't know a single compatriot, Belgian or other foreigner, who now travels to Russia instead of coming to Thailand.
What about you or your (football) friends? Where will you watch the matches?
You wouldn't even see me in Russia if you paid me for it. I've been there once and flew elsewhere after a few days. Apart from a few sights, I really didn't like it. And with the risks involved in football (especially in Russia), it doesn't seem like a good plan at all to me. Just look at all the articles on the internet. Even England's police officers have spoken out about the danger to foreign fans at the World Cup. Maarja, everything for the money at the fifa.
No, rather in a nice warm country like Thailand with a cold beer and some friends at a cozy bar watching the games.
I will follow the first competitions in Bangkok, then in Pattaya. It will probably be in a pub where English commentary is provided. Often many times more expert than their Dutch colleagues. I hadn't thought about it, but maybe there are fewer Russians in Pattaya now. Or is that “wishful thinking”.
Nice and easy to watch at home in Pakchong via my Android box (+/- 12 Dutch channels).
Alex
Or to Thailand via Russia, which I did this year, with Aeroflot you can make a stopover in the impressive city of Moscow.
And of course you can also just happen to do that during the World Cup period, although I fear that the prices of everything there will skyrocket…
Where can I follow the matches? Well, just watch TV at home in Bangkok… (all matches are shown on Thai TV channels) or else I turn on my computer for Eurosport.
And I certainly don't watch all the games; not all matches are interesting and i just have to work.
Going to Russia certainly involves risks. And it is also a real attack on your wallet, because especially in Moscow they know what to do with the prices.
Here in Pattaya there are plenty of options, eg in Nieuw Vlaanderen, side street of Soi Buccauw opposite the hospital. No Russians to be seen here, so ……..
Pattaya, I get the Russians for free…
Certainly not in Russia, they have not only bought the World Cup, but also have to get as far as possible in the tournament with a very weak team, helped by FIFA.
I predict that we will witness a show directed by Putin in which many fans will drop out.