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PSV visit Klong Prem prison

11 januari 2013 14:30
The PSV first-team squad and coaching staff paid a visit to Bangkok’s infamous Klong Prem Central Prison on Friday morning. PSV was the first football club ever to be invited by the Thai authorities and supported by the Dutch ambassador in Thailand to take a look behind the walls of the largest and most infamous Thai prison.

Tiny Sanders and Dick Advocaat standing near the entrance of the prison. Tiny Sanders and Dick Advocaat standing near the entrance of the prison.
PSV

World Cup Behind Bars

There are 143 prisons in Thailand, the largest of which is the Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. The greater complex houses up to 20,000 inmates, both Thai people and foreigners, many of whom serving a life sentence. After reading a book about the ‘Bangkok Hilton’ (another infamous prison in Bangkok), PSV head coach Dick Advocaat invited his players to visit the prison on Friday morning. During the past three World Cups, teams made up of international inmates kicked off their very own international football tournament -- the World Cup Behind Bars. Dutchman Machiel Kuijt was one of the inmates for many years. At the moment, there are no Dutch prisoners in the Klong Prem Central Prison, said the managing director at the start of the tour.

The PSV party was cordially welcomed. The PSV party was cordially welcomed.
PSV

Football match against the inmates

Klong Prem´s football team, consisting of fourteen players, played a practice match for the Dutch visitors, including the first-team squad, members of the board, PSV Media and other club officials. Then PSV were invited to play a game of football. Two teams were made up, with, among other players, Zanka, Nigel Bertrams, Memphis Depay, Jürgen Locadia, Menno Koch, Zakaria Bakkali, Marcel Ritzmaier, Jorrit Hendrix 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.

Then the gates of the Klong Prem prison were opened. Then the gates of the Klong Prem prison were opened.
PSV

A guided tour around the prison

The visitors aw small cells, with one toilet, shared by 30 inmates, a study and the library. 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. The visit to the prison was an extremely impressive experience. The squad will train on Thai soil for the last time on Friday afternoon before they travel back to the Netherlands.

The visit had been organised by Aan, the lady pictured on the left. The visit had been organised by Aan, the lady pictured on the left.
During the past three World Cups, the World Cup Behind Bars also took place. During the past three World Cups, the World Cup Behind Bars also took place.
PSV head coach Dick Advocaat gives the ball to the referee. PSV head coach Dick Advocaat gives the ball to the referee.
First the inmates played a game of football, with the PSV players attentively watching. First the inmates played a game of football, with the PSV players attentively watching.
Then the first group, including Locadia and Depay, walked out onto the pitch. Then the first group, including Locadia and Depay, walked out onto the pitch.
The customary pre-kick-off handshakes between players of either team. The customary pre-kick-off handshakes between players of either team.
Jürgen Locadia and Memphis Depay kicked off the game. Jürgen Locadia and Memphis Depay kicked off the game.
Zakaria Bakkali scored the winning goal. Zakaria Bakkali scored the winning goal.
Menno Koch thanks an inmate for a pleasant game. Menno Koch thanks an inmate for a pleasant game.
This inmate has been given Kevin Strootman´s shirt. This inmate has been given Kevin Strootman´s shirt.
Another happy inmate proudly shows Ola Toivonen´s shirt. Another happy inmate proudly shows Ola Toivonen´s shirt.
PSV had brought presents, such as shirts and footballs. PSV had brought presents, such as shirts and footballs.
A team photo was taken. A team photo was taken.
The managing director and his sons posed for a picture. The managing director and his sons posed for a picture.
Zakaria Bakkali signed a shirt. Zakaria Bakkali signed a shirt.
The 16-year old then demonstrated a few neat tricks. The 16-year old then demonstrated a few neat tricks.
The PSV party was given a guided tour around the prison. The PSV party was given a guided tour around the prison.
The company saw small cells shared by 30 inmates. The company saw small cells shared by 30 inmates.
The players were visibly impressed. The players were visibly impressed.
PSV team manager Mart van den Heuvel and Ola Toivonen. PSV team manager Mart van den Heuvel and Ola Toivonen.
The players saw a study and the library. The players saw a study and the library.
PSV General Manager Tiny Sanders was presented with a gift at the end of the tour. PSV General Manager Tiny Sanders was presented with a gift at the end of the tour.


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