Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
The 2019 Chang FA Cup final between Port and Ratchaburi will be moved for a second time, from the Royal Thai Army Sports Stadium to BG Pathum United’s Leo Stadium, according to the latest reports.
Since early in the season, the Thai FA have been looking for replacement locations to host major cup finals, as the national Rajamangala Stadium is undergoing renovations, and the cups’ usual home, the Supachalasai Stadium, is in the middle of a complicated ownership dispute.
Originally scheduled to be played in Suphanburi, the relevant authorities decided to move the final back to the capital Bangkok, choosing the Army Stadium for its 20,000 capacity, which also hosted the semi-final between Port and Bangkok United.
However, due to a decision by the Thai parliament to transfer the 1st and 11th infantry divisions of the army to the monarchy, the armed forces no longer control the stadium and are unable to grant permission for it to be used in the upcoming match.
So, the reason that FA Thailand cannot use Army Stadium for FA Cup Final is, today, the parliament just approve the Royal Decree to cut off the 1st and 11th Infantry Divisions from the army’s structure and put them under the king.
— All Things Thai Football (@ThaiFootballs) October 17, 2019
Following this decision, the Football Association have chosen the Leo Stadium. While it benefits from being a purpose-built football arena with no running track and fans right over the pitch, the capacity was reduced to just 9,000 with its renovation into an all-seater stadium over the summer.
The small capacity has caused concern, with Port and Ratchaburi likely to bring far more fans to the game, and some fans will have to be excluded from what would be a historic day for either club.