Such ruling particularly affects at least four leading Southern Thai football teams set to play in the 2012 Thai Premier League Division One league coming season: FC Phuket, Songkhla FC, Pattalung FC and Krabi FC each reportedly need access to budgets ranging from 20 to 60 million baht to survive and/or succeed next season.

Even though these teams were all officially incorporated in 2009, over the last two years they continued to depend on varying levels of sponsorship by local municipal and provincial organizations, but now that they can no longer do so legally, they have been forced to regroup and actually start running these clubs like any other business (and not a charity).

According to this Thai language report on Siam Sports, Pattalung FC’s most recent president, Dr. Natee Ratchakitprakarn dissolved her company rights of the club and returned all managing and administration rights to the provincial sports authority, who are now discussing the financial direction of the club.

Meanwhile, Phuket fans are still not sure if they’ll have a team to cheer who will compete in Division 1 next season following news that current manager, Narubas Aryupong plans to step down from the club and instead manage a cheaper Division 2 club next season.

If taken care of and managed properly, loyal Thai fans can prove to be a valuable asset to a football club

Krabi FC on the other hand have raised their budget expectations for next season up to 60 million baht, up from a previous announcement that they needed a minimum of 20 million baht.  They have yet to confirm the source of such projected budget.

Indeed fans in Pattalang, Krabi and Phuket are all waiting over the new year for developments and news about how or if their clubs will survive financially next season.

The likes of Songkhla FC is the least worrisome of all the southern teams in a financial predicament, considering that their finances and administration appear to be the most advanced and transparent, not to mention having access to a larger fan base which can easily attract more than 10,000 fans per match on average.

Unlike Songkhla, Phuket, Krabi and Pattalung are relatively new to the Division One business, having less efficient management experience in addition to slightly smaller fan bases. And so their slightly more dire situations is no surprise.

In the business of football, there eventually comes the time where a club must ’sell out’ to corporate sponsorship in order to continue on, so it seems. But rather than solely rely on ‘free money’, and ‘hand outs’ football clubs have ability to generate a fair amount of revenue and thus profit — if managed and administered properly, starting from fan base and moving on the revenue sources and sales targets.

To better understand the numbers, and thus have insight in to why these teams could possibly be on the verge of collapsing without ‘free’ money, I decided to do a business planning exercise and made a sample monthly account, imagining that I was managing one of these clubs accounts for game day operations.  The idea was to consolidate and maximize profit.

To read and view details about this sample account click here.

Krabi are the third of four teams to be promoted, with the final promotion seat to be decided on the evening of Sunday, December 18. (See comments below for update.)

In 2nd place of Group A (six teams include Nakhon Ratchasima FC, Krabi FC, Rayong FC, Roi Et United, Lamphun Warriors, and North Krungthep FC, while Group B includes Ratchaburi FC, Pattalung FC, Pitsanulok FC, Loei City, Pichit FC and Kasetsart FC) for the 2011 Division Two Champions League promotion playoffs, the Krabi Andaman Eagles needed either a win or draw in their 10th and final match of the playoffs to secure promotion.

The deciding match for the second and final Group A promotion ticket, played at Krabi provincial stadium outside of Krabi city on Saturday evening, saw lots of attacking from both sides — both knowing that a minimal goal would be needed to secure a victory and thus their destiny in Division One next season.

And despite action packed attacking and defending from both worthy contenders, the bulk of the game passed by without a score and looked as if it were to repeat the result of the two sides’ initial meet back in October in Rayong.

And as the clocked ticked towards the end of regulation time, it was looking as if Krabi would seize promotion by gaining the advantageous point with the existing stale mate result.

Time and promotion hopes fading away for the visitors, for what would be the second year in a row, Rayong’s Tinnapop Srisatit finally drew blood with what was initially described as miracle strike in the 89th minute; perfectly spun and weighted kick delivered from Tinnapop’s left foot along Krabi’s goal line. The final minute score instantly silenced the home crowd, packed in and outside of the 6,000 capacity stadium with but little standing room only space available throughout the confines.

Ensued were early celebrations from the visiting bench and stands, comparable to a Super Bowl or soccer championship back in the US. The visiting stands were packed with light blue-clad Rayong FC supporters, who with the well coordinated cheers and beat and bang of their drums, celebrated wildly as if they had just been crowned champions of the world.

Now that promotion was rapidly looking dim, the Andaman Eagles’ last moment of hope saw them harness an attacking game to entirely new heights. Just as the Rayong stands assumed victory, several Krabi fans had assumed defeat and began pouring out of the stands prematurely — despite the fact that a handful of injury time minutes remained.

And all of the moments were controlled completely by a desperate yet determined home side, keeping fans fine tuned into the action. Sustained and expedited offense was ultimately rewarded to the home side and fans following a handful of several near scores prompted by free kicks from each of Rayong’s corners. Krabi’s perseverance would pay off with the equalizer roughly 4 minutes into added time, sealing Krabi’s promotion ticket. Though the goal was credited to Ghanian import, Bernard Linford, some would even go as far to credit the score to the slippery gloves of Rayong’s goal keeper if not the weight and spin of the kick itself.

Nonetheless, celebrations followed the final whistle and included fireworks, lots of smoke, camera flashes, and the issuing of money rewards galore. The Ghanaian, Nigerien and Cameroon import players of Krabi drew fans’ attention with their celebratory song and dance, African style.

With the draw and thus promotion, Krabi joined the promoted ranks with Group A champions Nakhon Ratchasima FC “Swat Cats” and the Group B champions, Ratchaburi “Dragons”.

The final promotion ticket to Division One will be determined in Group B finale matches on Sunday evening. The place is contested among Pattalung FC, Pitsanulok FC and Loei City.

One of these teams will meet Krabi in the third place match in Bangkok on Christmas Eve. The other two will try again in the regional leagues next year.

A Ratchaburi - Korat championship will also be played on Christmas Eve in Bangkok.

The campaign comprises the union of international-thinking volunteers to wipe windshields in Bangkok, and other cities in Germany, Europe, Asia and beyond.

Volunteers who would like to participate in and contribute to the campaign are asked to bring with them a squeegee, bucket filled with water and/or cleaning fluid, a donation box, and an eagerness to count money…and part with it for a greater cause — yet to be announced.

The first two official Wipe the Tide events were organized in inner-city Bangkok.

The first week’s event was organized in the latter half of October when a small group of nine international volunteers — three camera men included — raised some 27,000 baht in about two hours of wiping windshields in Bangkok.

Their second event was held on October 30, and seven groups grouped into about 45 volunteers united to wipe drivers’ windshields in order to raise another 131,000 baht in three hours of work.

Together, the two events so far have raised nearly 160,000 baht among about 54 volunteers in about five hours of service — not including time spent conducting planning, administrative, preparation and post-event accounting services.

A third event is scheduled for November 6.

The organizers are inviting environmentally-minded intellectuals who may have connections, contacts or ideas about how best to spend the money they raise.

Any environmental and/or humanitarian minded individuals who would like to contribute their time, money and ideas are encouraged to join the Wipe the Tide Facebook page

The campaign so far is showing promise thanks to the diligence and leadership of Michael Biedassek, who has turned a friend’s good idea into action and construction.

Michael is a Thai-German resident of Bangkok who is originally from Germany. He represents Ramkhamhaeng University in addition to an organization in which he co-founded known as Bangkok Vanguards.

Following is a recent video interview he gave about Wipe the Tide campaign with Gereth Finch of Random Dreams podcast

Sponsor Thai Premier League

Khon Kaen 1 – 1 Sri Sisaket MTFC

Saraburi M150 4 – 0 TOTSC

Insee Police 2 – 1 Chiang Rai

Pattaya Utd 3 – 0 SCG Samut Songkhram

BEC Tero 1 – 0 Army

Bangkok Glass 4 – 0 TTM Pichit

Thai Port FC 0 – 1 Buriram PEA

TPL Div One Results

Buriram FC 2 – 1 Customs United

JW Rangsit 1 – 0 Bangkok Utd

Chula Utd 0 - 0 Songkhla FC

Rajpracha 1 - 1 RBAC

Bangkok FC 3 – 1 Chainat FC

Suphanburi FC 1– 1 Chiangmai FC

FC Phuket 3 - 0 PTT Rayong

Thailand Division Two AIS regional league

Nakhon Ratchasima FC 3 – 0 Amnat Charoen town

Chayaphum FC 1 – 2 Yasothon FC

Udon Thani FC 0 – 0 Sakhon Nakhon

Mukdahan FC 0 – 0 Maha Sarakham

Nong Kai FC 2 – 0 Nong Bua Lamphu FC

Kalasin FC 5 – 2 Surin FC

Nakhon Phanom FC 4 – 1 Ubon Tiger FC

Pichit FC 4 – 2 Chiangh Rai FC

Phrae Utd 1 – 2 Lamphun Warrior

Pichit FC 4 – 2 Chiangrai FC

Phitsanulok 2 – 1 Singburi FC

Sukhothai FC 1 – 0 Khampaengphet FC

Prachinburi 0 – 2 North Bangkok FC

Payao FC 1 – 1 Tak FC

Nakhon Sawan 1 – 4 Uturadit MS

Pak Nam Po RUFC 4 – 0 Thanyaburi United

Utai Thani FC 1 - 1 Nan FC

Kasetsart UFC 2 – 1 Thai Airways Isaan kids

Phetchabun FC 5 – 0 Lampang

Rayong FC 1 – 1 Lopburi FC

Ayutthaya FC 2 - 2 Chachoengsao FC

Samut Prakan FC 3 – 0 Prachinburi United

Samut Sakhon FC 3 – 2 Sa Kaeo city

Muang Kan FC 0 - 0 Ratchaburi FC

By early February, he flew back home to the US for the first time in more than 7 years. Catching up with family and friends, he also had the purpose of prospecting the situation and future opportunities. Considering a permanent or semi-permanent resettlement stateside, he took and passed the PRAXIS II: Elementary Education Content Knowledge primary school teacher exam — a prerequisite for teacher applicants who hope to land a job or internship in a public school as well as pursue a Masters of Education (M.E.) in primary school teaching.

Following the successful completion of the two hour exam, he even participated in a few interviews for prospective hi-need teacher training programs. The first interview over the phone was for Teach for America and the second one was a half-day “Demonstration Day” interview for a  Denver Public Schools - Denver University program called Denver Teachers Residency (DTR)

As the stars unfolded, perhaps a culmination of the competitive American market of over-qualified, unemployed career changers and the excess of fresh young graduates with their foot and ambitions well into the education scene eagerly seeking to fill the limited opportunities available in such a re-cooperating economy, teaching stateside would prove not be his calling.

By April 1, Jao Moragoat anxiously flew back to his family in Thailand and continued to examine his options, narrowed mostly down to teaching in Thailand. Two weeks later, he got a call back from the most desirable option: A Sub Editor position for Thailand’s third largest English language newspaper (which is partners with the country’s 2nd largest and largest expat web forum) Finally, his break had come.

The uncertainties about baby sitting ESL students, while his own son being neglected somewhere far away were over. His language and communication skills were to be utilized and valued, while he could maintain and advance them all the while serving a purpose to better inform greater world economy; none of which would have been possible without having persevered all those years in University.

And the learning has only just begun…stay tuned.

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Remarks Documents about graduation will be mailed to the address that you given. Those who graduate in the First and Second Semester will receive the document by August, and those in the Summer Semester by November. If otherwise, contact the Records Office at 0-2350-3500 ext. 1550 - 1554

So, now all that is left is to do some other hurdle jumping for the Records Office, i.e. graduation photos, etc. and of course, actually complete the final four classes left which have midterms at the end of September and Finals at the end of December. Stay tuned.

Before one gets to that that day, however, they must first arrive to the day when they register for their final semester of classes, and the resulting day at the bank when they pay their last undergraduate tuition bill once and for all–no student loan debt to look forward to as do counterparts elsewhere in the industrialized capitalizing academia world. To read about exact tuition costs, keep reading.

After eight years juggling among academic, professional, and personal (family) worlds indulged in all entailed obligation and commitment, gradually chipping away at the required 130 credits for a four year communications degree, alas the Siamerican could finalise the pre-term formalities.

On that Mid August Tuesday, kicking off the first official term of Academic year 2010 for this ninth and final semester of Jao Moragoatt. Before his first two classes were to be attended at half eleven and two in afternoon respectively, the final Add-Drop rendezvous in the Bangkok University City campus Auditorium need be endured through a long morning through the hierarchical mazes of signature chasing, requiring the usual expected focus and patience dealing with required and redundant red tape paperwork.

Started at roughly 9.00 a.m., penetrating the half hour of eleven, the exam scheduling conflicts  were finally cleared and a final tuition bill could be issued.

The total tuition for this ninth and final semester came out to be 23,740 baht, bringing the tuition payments over the years to a grand total of 244,640 baht. Keep in mind, new students pay more now, so the same degree would easily cost more than 300,000 baht if begun now. Currently BU charges 2000 baht per credit and subject to rise in time. The Above rate was mostly at a rate of 1500 baht per credit hour, with 36 of the credits @ 1300/credit hour. Other than raw tuition credit hour fees, there is a handful of other utility and institutional fees that ammounted to between 5-6000 baht per term.

Following are some pics of the Add-Drop paperwork registration mayhem.

Last Wednesday, July 28, the Siamerican picked up his pre-registration results (as initially executed online) and promptly paid for two 2nd and 3rd year classes. The other two courses will have to be added during add-drop period the first week of the semester (August 17 - 20) The reason he couldn’t get them initially during pre-registration was because of ‘Exam day conflicts’ something he has never had up until now.

To finally be able to say he is in his final semster is a time which has been much anticipated; nearing his completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree which first began in January 2003, almost 8 years ago to the date.

To date, his accumulative GPA is something like 3.8, and may drop slightly due to the anticipated low turn out of attendance with priority at his full time job as usual ensuring bills, debt, and child support continue to get paid.

Though a four year degree took twice as long to complete to the harsh realities and challenges of the real world for an independent adult working/pushing his own way through school on top of supporting a child, the important thing will be once and for all reaching the light at the end of this long tunnel.