REGIONAL RIVALRY / ASEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Police fear violence at final against Singapore

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM & WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI

Police fear the ill-feeling between Thailand and Singapore over the Shin Corp-Temasek deal could lead to violence at Sunday's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) football championship final in Bangkok. There is concern that if Thailand are beaten at home by Singapore, the game might culminate in clashes between rival supporters, and players might even be attacked. Riot police will be on stand-by and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) is being asked to tighten security for the match, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans.

The two teams meet in the first leg clash in Singapore today, with the return match at the National Stadium in Bangkok on Sunday.

''I think the association should ask for more police reinforcements, since normal security might not be able to handle an unexpected situation during the match,'' said Pol Lt-Col Surakarn Naksingh, deputy superintendent of Pathumwan district. He will discuss security measures with Thai football officials today and tomorrow.

Pol Lt-Col Surakarn believed Thai opponents of Singapore and Temasek, that country's investment arm, would attend Sunday's match and try to create unrest.

He hoped emotions would cool somewhat if Thailand manages a win today.

Pol Maj-Gen Wimol Pao-in, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's special task force, said at least 150 riot police would be on stand-by at Sunday's match.

In Singapore, neither side raised the security issue during yesterday's meeting of officials from the two teams prior to today's match at the National Stadium, which is expected to draw a capacity 55,000 crowd.

However, Thailand team manager Thavatchai Sajakul admitted he was worried that the soured relations between the two countries could spur the home crowd to cheer their team more intensely.

''We will be under extra pressure because of the current situation between Thailand and Singapore,'' he said.

Bangkok Post
Wednesday January 31, 2007