Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


	S.P. Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 11/1 Soi 3 Bamrungburi Rd., T. Prasingh, A. Muang., Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053 - 814 455-6 Fax. 053 - 814 457 E-mail: guidelin@loxinfo.co.th

CHIANG MAI-
HUB OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

Text & Photos: Graeme Monaghan

New wicket being laid

[What's that? Cricket? In Chiang Mai! That esoteric activity performed by some 24 men in white that irresistibly calls up rain? Yes, we know it began in England way back, where lots of other strange things have had their birth, so we're not questioning that it may still be practiced there and in some of the other places the Brits colonised - India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, the West Indies among them. But here in never-colonized Thailand, in laid back Chiang Mai? That's just how it is, according to our Gymkhana Club correspondent. Apparently cricket was germinated here more than a hundred years back, and over just the past few years teams and groups of enthusiasts have been springing up like mushrooms all over the Lanna map, involving not just local expat. players and the international stars they've been drawing from abroad, but - can you believe it? - young Thais of both genders, whose skills are already winning them plaudits. Like to know more about this remarkable phenomenon? Just read on. Ed.]

In 1898 a group of men founded the Gymkhana Club in Chiang Mai to cater for their love of various sports; among them…cricket.

Cricket is a game played in almost every country in the world albeit with varying degrees of talent and enthusiasm. Thailand being no exception, it was played at the Gymkhana Club, on and off, for more than a century. Until, that is, the horrendous triple-flooding of 2005 which left the playing area in such a state that many, including myself, believed that cricket would never raise its head again on this hallowed arena.

However, with the dedication of a group of cricket lovers led by Australian, Eric Little, Thai, Puttivat (Parn) Poshyanonda and others, the ground was reborn. The rebirth entailed removing 10cm of acidic sludge from the oval and replacing it with new soil and then a covering of pre-grown grass. It took time, money and complete dedication. It also involved the purchase, at considerable cost, of a heavy roller to ensure the solidity and flatness of the wickets. But any problem that may arise with turf pitches was offset by the addition of an artificial grass wicket.

Added to this was the donation of a comprehensive, remote-controlled, electronic scoreboard by Mr. Peter and Mrs. Anne Dawson, plus a new scorers' box, and a mini-grandstand, ensuring that the transformation was complete.

So, to make a short story a little longer, what was nothing less than a boggy swamp in 2005 is now a world-class cricket arena.

An addition to this rebirth at the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club, was the recently laid and excellent cricket facility at the Prem International School at Mae Rim.

Naturally enough, the attention of The Asian Cricket Council was aroused to the extent that Chiang Mai was selected for a series of international competitions.

After the floods

Beginning in February 2008, the first tournament involving Under-17 teams from such places as The Maldives, Bhutan, China, Malaysia and the Arab Emirates took place.

In November teams from Oman, Myanmar, Iran and Afghanistan played, with the last mentioned running out the eventual winners.

However, the most comprehensive of all was the women's Under-17 tournament which involved twelve teams in a competition that lasted ten days.

Sides came from all over South-East Asia including Nepal, Singapore, Bhutan, Kuwait, China and others, and not forgetting the host team, of course, Thailand.

It is worthy of note here that three Chiang Mai girls were chosen to represent the Thailand team. They were Donnatthaghan (Jeen) Janthatham; Porntira (Oil) Olarikti and Teerapon (Parn) Kumlar, each of whom performed with distinction.

Beginning January 7^th the Asian Cricket Council Trophy Challenge will take place with an event that will continue through to January 14^th, with eight S-E Asian teams competing.

Added to all this abundance of visiting cricketers is the local four-team competition which plays every week at either the Gymkhana Club or Prem School. This began in 2007 with three sides but has now been reinforced by the addition of the Southern Blues who travel from Bangkok to participate.

This four-team competition has enjoyed great success and the Chiang Mai teams include a number of Thai boys who have come through the coaching system which started five years ago.

Winning plaudits

For those not already aware of the event, it should be noted that the world-famous Chiang Mai International Cricket Six-a-side tournament will take place in April as usual in what will be its 21^st year of operation. Over the years it has attracted some of the most famous names in the cricketing world. This year more than thirty senior (men's) teams will compete in the week-long event plus four teams of ladies.

This contest brings more money into Chiang Mai coffers than any other single event; a fact not fully appreciated by most.

The co-coordinator of the Sixes, Mr. Maurice Bromley, tells me that this event alone injects well over twenty-six million baht into the Thai economy each year.

But perhaps the most exciting recent cricket occurrence was the introduction of an Under-15 competition in which Thai children will, almost exclusively, make up the teams. For example, the first match played, between Prince Royals College and Cholpratan Phataek School from Doi Saket consisted of 22 boys and girls all of whom were Thai. Not only that but they were coached, umpired and scored all by Thais.

There can be no doubt that once the young people become involved with the game it will spread in Thailand as it has through countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many, many others since its beginnings in England more than three hundred years ago.

So it seems that 'cricket'; a word rarely heard in this part of the world, has become, of late, a genuine sport brought about by the dedication of men and women to whom it is a way of life.

Also, cricket has been recognized at the United Nations as the most character-builder of all sports, hence the universal support of that organization.

And so, through the agencies of the Asian Cricket Council, the Chiang Mai Cricket Club, plus the support of many individuals, this city can now boast the hosting of international tournaments and a regular season of matches for both seniors from many countries and junior competition for young Thai boys and girls.

Within the space of two short years cricket, like the mythical Phoenix, has risen from the mud and sludge of the 2005 flooding of the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club to make the venue the home of local and international cricket with world-class facilities.

Anyone interested in playing may contact Steve Potter on 080 031 8283 or Martin Papworth on 083 476 0582