Where to watch the World Cup in Bangkok

The flags will be flying, the drinks will be flowing, and the bets will be on (illegally). It’s World Cup time in Bangkok and that means football saturation as the beautiful game dominates screens everywhere from family living rooms and shophouses to huge outdoor venues and packed expat pubs.

The start times for this year’s games from South Africa (6.30pm, 9pm, and 1.30am) allow fans to enjoy the World Cup as it should be enjoyed -- in the company of a crowd of hollering football faithful as opposed to at home in the middle of the night with the volume barely audible in deference to sleeping non-fans.

CNNGo has checked out the many offerings around town and here we offer a guide to some of the best places to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Bangkok:

Outdoor venues

RS Promotions, which holds the Thai broadcast rights for this year’s World Cup, will be staging its events at four official venues: Siam Paragon’s Parc Paragon, Suphachalasai Field (National Stadium), Future Park Rangsit, and Central Ratanatibet (Nonthaburi). All games -- even the late ones -- will be shown at all venues on giant LED screens.

RS is also making full use of its talent roster with its “On Ground” activities at Cup venues, comprising mini-concerts featuring RS artists such as Girly Berry, Neko Jump and Fay-Fang-Keaw and stage shows to accompany the action on the pitch. 

Pubs & Sports Bars

Big screens, 100 brand new mates and the amber elixir at hand to toast triumphs and soothe the pain of defeat. The city’s sports bars are the favored venues for World Cup viewing. Here is a sampling of what’s on offer at Bangkok’s pubs:

SUKHUMVIT ROAD

The Londoner: This large and very popular Sukhumvit pub will be one of the busiest during World Cup. The owners have promised us they'll be showing all the England games, even the late ones, as well as many others. They've got some specials on for the month to coincide with the matches, including six pints of their pub-brewed beer for 800 baht.

591 UBC II Building, Basement B 104, Sukhumvit 33, BTS: Phrom Pong. Tel: +66 (0)2 261 0238/9

Old German Beerhouse: While supporters of England, the United States and Australia have many pubs in Bangkok from which to choose, the same cannot be said for fans of some of the other nations competing, who may need to settle for the smaller screen of an affiliated restaurant. Supporters of Germany can cheer "Die Mannschaft" at the Old German Beerhouse, which promises to be packed out when the national team plays. Management says they expect to show all German games, even the late ones. 

Sukhumvit Soi 11, BTS: Nana. Tel: +66 (0)2 651 3838

The Sport Corner: An American-style sports bar on the corner of Soi 20 that claims to have “the most TVs per square metre of floor space in Bangkok”, The Sports Corner plans to show all games with English commentary. A big party is planned on June 12 for the U.S.-England game.

Sukhumvit Soi 20, BTS: Asok. Tel: +66 (0)87 084 5490

Bangkok Beat: This four-floor venue will be turning the tunes down and the TVs up for the World Cup and will undoubtedly be the point of origin of many a post-game hangover as they will be giving away free tequila shooters with every goal. Wearing a football jersey will also get you a free drink.

Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, BTS: Nana. Tel: +66 (0)2 651 3919

The Big Mango Bar: The Mango, sure to be a lively and packed venue for the Cup, is gearing up for a kickoff party on Friday. They’re still working out the details, but as the more baht conscious Sukhumvit pub-goers know, Mango parties tend to include loads of free food as well as half-priced drinks (which often means 50 baht pints), and management assures CNNGo that this Friday will be no different. Check out the pub’s website for details on other parties, drink deals and game schedules.

Sukhumvit Soi 4, sub-soi 2. BTS: Nana. Tel: +66 (0)2 234 2875

Pickled Liver: A homey English pub that is a favorite among expats and is sure to draw a big World Cup crowd, the Pickled Liver will offer promotions throughout the games, as well as t-shirt giveaways. All games will be shown at the Pickled Liver, and management said the bar would do its best to ensure English commentary.

Sukhumvit Soi 11, BTS: Nana. Tel: +66 (0)2 254 3484

Bradman’s Sports Bistro: The popular Aussie sports pub promises “all matches, all in English” on its 10 screens, and will be putting on a special supper menu starting at 11pm until close. Anyone who watches a full game gets a chance to enter a draw for a yet-to-be determined prize worth at least 10,000 baht. 

Sukhumvit 23, BTS: Asok. Tel: +66 (0)2 661 7176

The Sportsman: The Sportsman plans to do things right for its first World Cup with all games, all in English. When games clash, a call will be made on which is the more popular and that one will be shown. Other games will be broadcast on other TVs around the bar.

496/1 Sukhumvit Road (bet Soi 22 and 24). BTS: Asok. +66 (0)2 663 6405

The Crossbar: The only pub to confidently guarantee that all World Cup games will be shown with English commentary direct from the United Kingdom.

Sukhumvit Soi 23, BTS: Asok. +66 (0)2 664 3399

Woodstock: The last World Cup coincided with events to mark His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 60th year on the throne and Thai broadcasts of the games were curtailed at times to cover the historic occasion. Panicked at having no option on Thai TV, a flood of Japanese football fans packed Woodstock to watch the games and had a great time. Management says many of those fans have made bookings for this year’s games. English language commentary will be available.

Sukhumvit Soi Thonglor 13, BTS: Thonglor. +66 (0)2 715 0202-3

SILOM

O’Reilley’s: After last month’s violent events, management at the Irish pub say they are happy just to be open and haven’t had much of a chance to finalize their World Cup promotions and plans. Early drink promotions just announced include two-pint jugs of San Miguel for 225 baht, Magners Cider pints for 200 baht and pints of Dwyer’s London stout for 150 baht. O’Reilleys will be open for all of the games, and will show them in English.

62 Silom Road, BTS: +66 (0)2 632 7515

Jameson’s and Molly Malone’s: These two pubs offer punters another chance to enjoy World Cup festivities in reasonable facsimiles of traditional Irish surroundings. Popular expat bar Jameson’s is sure to be jumping and will be offering food specials as well as 100 baht happy hour pints, while Malone’s will be the place to be on Convent Road for all of the games.

Jamesons: Below Holiday Inn, Silom Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 266 7703-5. Molly Malone's: Soi Convent, Tel: 02-266-7160-1

Sofitel Silom Pool Bar: Watching the World Cup poolside? For those who see this as an attractive option to the pubs and not sacrilege, the fifth floor of the Sofitel Silom will be showing all of the games. Along with a buy-two-get-one-free happy hour from 7pm-9pm, the Sofitel will be serving a range of hot and cold snacks designed with a World Cup theme. 

188 Silom Road. Tel: +66(0)2 238 1991

Road House Barbeque: This popular BBQ favorite is showing as many games as possible on its multiple TVs on the third floor. Though they've yet to announce any specials, they have a very healthy beer menu that includes Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Erdinger Wheat, Paulaner Dunkel, Leffe, Bulmers Cider and Newcastle Brown Ale. For the handful of Americans who will be watching the World Cup, there's even Miller Genuine Draft.

942 Rama IV Road, on the corner of Surawong Road, MRT: Silom or BTS: Sala Daeng. Tel: +66 (0)2 236 8010

KHAO SAN ROAD

During the World Cup, it will be difficult to find venues along the famed stretch of backpacker-land that are not showing games. Khao San is a favorite for the footie crowd, both for its laid back international feel with a good mix of locals and foreigners, and, more practically, for its open-air venues that allow for smoking. 

England-USA special

One of the most eagerly anticipated games of this year’s World Cup will be Saturday’s England-USA match taking place at 1:30am. Many pubs will be offering special promotions for the big game, but few in our estimation can top the event being co-sponsored by the South African, British and American chambers of commerce at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. 

An entry fee of 800 baht entitles you to free flow beer. Wines and other drinks will be available as will heavy snacks. The Hyatt is also offering room discounts as part of the package for those wanting to spend the night, which, given the free flow beer and the hour, might not be a bad idea.  For bookings, click here. 

494 Rajdamri Road. BTS: Chidlom. Tel: +66 (0)2 254 1234