Thailand has sent 517 athletes along with 184 team officials totaling 701 delegates to the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

But that does not account for the fans that come to South Korea of their own accord to cheer on their country’s athletes.

Ten friends who have ventured to South Korea, shared they have spent their own money to come all the way here to witness and support their country’s athletes as they compete in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

The friends travel every day to cheer on their fellow country men and women, going to dozens of games from the 33 sports that Thailand has entered its delegates. 

“We have attended games in weightlifting, beach volleyball, football, sepak takraw, and boxing. We bought our tickets to South Korea and pay for each of the games,” shared one member of the group.

Not only is it expensive just to fly over to South Korea, but the games aren’t free either. Although the prices vary from event to event, prices can range from 5,000 won up until 100,000 won for medaling events.

“We travel from the early morning until late at night, watching up to three games a day. With no shuttle buses provided, we have to take the metro and walk to each event’s location. Sometimes the stadium is very far from the train station,” the friends revealed.

With the weather especially hot in the afternoon, their pride and dedication are seen with their perseverance. Other spectators and reporters have taken notice of their loud cheers, traditional Thai outfits and their props like fake horses and drums.

One of the enthusiastic fans named Parinya Weerawong was seen on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Japan vs. Thailand beach volleyball women’s preliminary match. He donned Thai clothing, twirling his highly decorated fan and beating a drum as he cheered for the Thai duo, Varapatsorn Radarong and Tanarattha Udomchavee.

Choi Eun-young, a reporter for the beach volleyball match took notice, saying, “The Thailand women’s team really seemed to do better with him cheering. They made a huge comeback win after he arrived. Many present at the match had laughed and enjoyed his cheers.”

The team of fans were also seen at the Moonlight Festival Garden Weightlifting Venue cheering on Thai athlete Pimsiri Sirikaew who finished 5th in the women’s -63kg weightlifting group on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

“This is the second trip to South Korea for us, the first being our visit last year for the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games held in Incheon. The food is good, the weather is good. South Korea is good,” shared another member of the Thai group.

Thailand currently has seven total medals.


By Alex Isacc (AGNS)