First meeting December 4, 1934 Current champion Thammasat University Longest win streak Thammasat University | First Place Sanam Luang Latest Host Thammasat University | |
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Stadium National Stadium (Thailand) | ||
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 may also 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. The event is regularly broadcast on national television.
Contents
History
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.
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.
The match has been cancelled several times, due to the flooding of Bangkok in 1942, World War II and its aftermath from 1944–1948, the Manhattan Rebellion in 1951, the aftermath of the 14 October 1973 and 6 October 1976 conflicts in 1973–1975 and 1977, and due to political crisis in 2014. The latest match, the 71st, was hosted by Thammasat University and took place on 13 February 2016.