In the 2023 winter off-season, the trend of winter training for K-League teams is Thailand. Thirteen of the 25 clubs in the 1st and 2nd divisions of the K-League chose Thailand as their first training ground. In Part 1, 6 teams and in Part 2, 7 teams are sweating in Thailand.
The region is divided into 5 main areas. There are Chiang Rai (Gwangju) and Chiang Mai (Suwon FC Incheon Seongnam Bucheon Busan) in the north, Hua Hin (Seoul Bucheon) in the central south, Chonburi (Gangwon Daejeon Cheonan) in the east, and Bangkok (Cheongju) in the center.
The reporter stopped by Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Chon Buri. We want to vividly convey the characteristics of each region, which show slight differences in means of transportation, weather, and infrastructure.
First of all, Chiang Mai has the best weather among the three places as it is a highland area. Teams staying in Chiang Mai usually start training around 3 to 4 pm, and it is a perfect temperature to exercise after passing through the scorching sun that hits close to 30 degrees. A chilly wind blows in the early morning before sunrise and in the evening after sunset. A player from Team A said, “It is so cold that you can breathe in the morning.”
Jeju and Suwon FC stay at the same resort, and the rice is served Korean. This menu is possible because the owner of this resort is a ‘Korean’. It is perfect for athletes who do not like local food.
The resort has a training ground, lodging, and restaurants. If it was a leader or club that only looked at ‘exercise’, he would have welcomed it with both hands up, but if the reporter was a player, he would have felt ‘trapped’ somewhere.
There is nothing ‘really’ around. From the team’s point of view, it is an environment where players can focus only on training. Even if you go to a convenience store, you have to drive for 5 to 10 minutes. In order to satisfy these players’ desires (?), the club takes them to downtown Chiang Mai once a week and arranges time for them to play freely. 카지노
The second place I went to was Hua Hin. As soon as I arrived there, I felt ‘humid’. Humidity was high because it was a beach resort. There were also many Westerners. After going to Chiang Mai, I felt that way even more. The journey to Hua Hin was also arduous. There is a ‘Hua Hin Airport’, but it only operates one flight a day, or three times a week. It takes about 3-4 hours by car from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. If the car is pushed, it easily passes 4 hours.
Fortunately, the commercial area around the accommodation and training ground is well developed. If you take a 5 to 10-minute taxi ride from your accommodation in Seoul, you will find supermarkets, night markets, and more. There is an environment where players who are tired from training can take a break from their busy schedule, such as going out for a drink or getting a massage on a break day. The reporter, who took about 5 hours from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin, stayed in Hua Hin for just one day, and I thought I would like to stay for 2 or 3 more days.
Lastly, get dirty. Similar to Chiang Mai. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bangkok Airport by car. Daejeon, Gangwon, and Cheonan stay in one resort, and the exclusive training ground is located inside. The reporter was in a similar environment to the point where he felt as if he had come back to Chiang Mai. These teams go sightseeing to Pattaya, about an hour away, on their break day.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, K-League teams’ first overseas training is in full swing. Now, if I were a player or manager, in which area would I set up a training camp? The results of your choices will be reflected in your grades.