A Fun-Filled Midweek Trip to Roi Et

It was getting close to our monthly outing, with our friend Dale arriving in Thailand to head to his wife in Khon Kaen, meaning we wanted to look for options for where to go. Inevitably, we wanted the meeting to include football, especially as the men who met last time in Sisaket had formed a WhatsApp group.

With Roi Et roughly equidistant for everyone, it seemed the obvious choice. We already enjoyed visiting the city, and there was also a football match taking place on Wednesday, 6th May, in the Thai Semi-Pro League.

Setting Off for Roi Et

As ever, my good lady was eager to set off at a time I considered too early, but it showed that she was looking forward to it. Off we went, stopping so I could suss out a couple of bars on the Sisaket ring road for future reference.

The familiar route saw us in Yasothon for our usual stop for khao soi.

Rocket Festival Preparations in Yasothon

The small city was getting ready for the annual rocket festival, one of the biggest in Thailand. It lasts over three days, and we had enjoyed the parades during an overnight stay in the past. It was just a couple of days away, with temporary stands and food stalls being prepared on the main road.

Exploring Thawatchai Reservoir

As we were too early to check into the Hop Inn hotel, I suggested that we look at Thawatchai Reservoir, which appeared to offer some photo opportunities according to Google Maps.

Before we arrived, it was time to fill the car with juice, something more expensive since the war in the Middle East. As ever, we stopped at a PTT service station, which, like all areas in the Land of Smiles, contained a range of shops and places to grab food.

In front of our parked car was a shop selling trainers and bags. They looked to be seconds, but I left with a pair of New Balance trainers, while Taew found some Nike footwear in excellent condition.

The island of the reservoir, which I think we were allowed to reach via the bridge, without being entirely sure, had a huge tractor and trailer shaped from straw, which Mrs Rob enjoyed climbing. The Father Pu Phaya Sri Suttho Nakarat, a dragon monument, was also highly photogenic.

All in all, we spent a very enjoyable hour there.

The reception staff were excellent, allowing us, as well as Dale and Nui, to check in early by virtue of being members of the hotel group. We had a siesta while thunder rumbled outside before assembling and then eating in the Riverside Bar & Restaurant, a five-minute walk away.

Football at Pride Arena

A Grab taxi took us to Pride Arena, as the Roi Et Province Stadium had been rechristened, owing to the stands and goal nets being in rainbow colours.

Our match tickets were 50 THB, but if you purchased a team shirt for 189 THB, around £4.30 at the time, the ticket was included, which represented amazing value.

I got a nice surprise when we were deposited outside a large songthaew, which had transported some of the academy players connected to Sisaket City. They saw that I was wearing a replica shirt from a previous season and gave me a lovely welcome.

We were joined outside by Glen and Ta, with more friends, Wigan Steve and his lady, Nipper, coming into the stand just before kick-off.

We were treated to a fantastic game of football, as both teams, without any foreign players, gave everything without any dissent or gamesmanship. The visitors ran out 2-0 victors.

Food, Beer and Football Stories

After the game, we headed back to Suki Lao Restaurant, which had become a favourite of ours. The girls assembled at one end of the long table with heaps of food, while we blokes had a more modest meal.

Lots of chatter and beer were enjoyed, with the unlikely name of Charlie Caroli coming up.
Little did I know until then that every clown must have its own face, with none allowed to be replicated, with the design being painted on an egg. I thought I was involved in an edition of Would I Lie to You? But Dale was spot on.

Every day’s a school day, as the saying goes.

Then the whole Sisaket City squad, with academy players and coaches, entered the restaurant. They seemed delighted to see us all, with some wanting selfies with me in their team shirts.

Can you imagine that in some other countries?

Then, in no time at all, with plenty of other nonsense discussed, and three of the ladies well imbibed, along with our waiter, who was also given plenty of whisky shots, it was time to head home.

We walked the fifteen minutes to our hotel. If anywhere else was open, we might have had a nightcap, but it was not to be. I answered a few questions about the match and the day out for Dale to edit the latest edition of A Thai Football Podcast.

Heading Home

The following morning, we headed back to Sisaket after breakfast by the lake with our friends, then stopped at a noodle shop for a late lunch after doing the shopping in Makro and Lotus.
A grand midweek outing, which took a day or so to get over. A sign that we weren’t as young as we sometimes think!

Trips like these are what make living in Thailand so enjoyable. Good friends, local football, excellent food, and the sort of unexpected moments that stay with you long afterwards.

If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my YouTube Channel, where I share videos about everyday life in Thailand, local football, and travel across the country.

Thanks for reading.