PSV visit Klong Prem prison, play football against prisoners
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While on a winter tour at Thailand, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven paid a visit to Bangkok's infamous Klong Prem Central Prison.
After reading a book about the "Bangkok Hilton" (another infamous prison in Bangkok), PSV coach Dick Advocaat decided to take his players to the prison on Friday morning.
PSV were the first football club ever to be invited by the Thai authorities to take a look behind the walls of the 20,000-inmate facility, famous for being home to a cadre of expats caught attempting to smuggle drugs.
The 1988 European champions were also invited to play a game of 10-minute mini-football games in the courtyard.
Two teams were made up, with, among other players, Memphis Depay, Jürgen Locadia, Menno Koch, Zakaria Bakkali, Marcel Ritzmaier and team doctor Rolf Timmermans, while the other players and many prisoners were enthusiastic spectators.
It was a very special event visibly appreciated by the inmates.
After two games, with the final scores of 1-0 and 1-1, the PSV party were given a guided tour around the prison.
The managing director first gave a short introduction and answered questions from the players before the gates of the Klong Prem prison were opened.
The players had been given instructions about how to behave. Mobile phones and potential weapons, such as pens, and money had to be left at the main prison gate.
After a two-hour tour, the players were out in the fresh air again.
"At first the PSV players were worried and asked me details about the prison and the prisoners," Corrections Department director Suchart Wonganantachai told reporters.
"Once everybody relaxed they were fine. They said it was a once in a lifetime experience to play with the inmates."
Team Also see:
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| PSV Eindhoven players pose with the inmates at Klong Prem Central Prison Photo: psv.nl |
After reading a book about the "Bangkok Hilton" (another infamous prison in Bangkok), PSV coach Dick Advocaat decided to take his players to the prison on Friday morning.
PSV were the first football club ever to be invited by the Thai authorities to take a look behind the walls of the 20,000-inmate facility, famous for being home to a cadre of expats caught attempting to smuggle drugs.
The 1988 European champions were also invited to play a game of 10-minute mini-football games in the courtyard.
Two teams were made up, with, among other players, Memphis Depay, Jürgen Locadia, Menno Koch, Zakaria Bakkali, Marcel Ritzmaier and team doctor Rolf Timmermans, while the other players and many prisoners were enthusiastic spectators.
It was a very special event visibly appreciated by the inmates.
After two games, with the final scores of 1-0 and 1-1, the PSV party were given a guided tour around the prison.
 | |
| PSV Eindhoven players take a tour inside the Klong Prem Central Prison Photo: psv.nl |
The managing director first gave a short introduction and answered questions from the players before the gates of the Klong Prem prison were opened.
The players had been given instructions about how to behave. Mobile phones and potential weapons, such as pens, and money had to be left at the main prison gate.
After a two-hour tour, the players were out in the fresh air again.
"At first the PSV players were worried and asked me details about the prison and the prisoners," Corrections Department director Suchart Wonganantachai told reporters.
"Once everybody relaxed they were fine. They said it was a once in a lifetime experience to play with the inmates."
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