The Chula–Thammasat or Thammasat–Chula Traditional Football Match (the name alternating, with the host's appearing first) is a football match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University. It is held annually, usually in January, at the Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Apart from the match itself (which is not played by strictly varsity teams, but include alumni), the event also focuses on card stunts performed by both sides' audiences, cheerleading, and the opening ceremony parades, of which Thammasat's politics-mocking sequence is an anticipated highlight.[1] The event is regularly broadcast on national television.[2]
History
Members of the opening ceremony parade assembled in the field stand at attention as the royal anthem is played during the opening ceremony of the 66th Match. To the far side of the field, Thammasat University's performing audience display a detailed card stunt featuring King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Coloured card booklet "plates" used in such displays are visible in the foreground.Politics-mocking parade in Chula-Thammasat traditional football match 2018
The match was started in 1934 by alumni of Suankularb Wittayalai School who were studying at both universities, intending it to be a varsity match in the likes of the British Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race. The first match was held on 4 December 1934 at the Sanam Luang field, with Thammasat University as the host. There was a ticket fee of 1 baht, the proceedings of which went to the Anti-tuberculosis Society of Thailand; after-expense earnings from the match have since traditionally been donated to charity.[3]
The two universities alternate roles as hosts. From 1935 to 1937 the match was held at the Suankularb Wittayalai School football field, and since 1938 has been held at Suphachalasai Stadium (also known as the National Stadium), except in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 2008 when the match was held at the Chulalongkorn University Stadium. Starting in 1949, the Royal Cup has been awarded for the match.[4]
^"Off-track political parody at the CU-TU traditional football match | Prachatai English". www.prachatai.com. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
^"เกร็ดงานบอล". Baka.in.th. Chulalongkorn University Student Council. 13 December 2008. Archived from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2009.