Global LFC Family: Thailand

This week we head east to Thailand and the city of Bangkok, where Liverpool will play a pre-season match on July 28.

Name: Jeerawan Duangnam Herriot
Age: 34
City/country: Bangkok, Thailand
Job: Editorial director, AROUND Magazine

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

There is one thing in life that I always believe in, which is a simple law of attraction. This should explain everything. Like attracts like and I also believe that Liverpool supporters all over the world share something in common, which is why we can make lasting bonds and connections easily, no matter where in the world you are from. 

What's your earliest LFC memory?

It was 1995 when I first watched Liverpool play on TV against Manchester United. I remembered Steve McManaman dribbling the ball past the opposition, player after player. On that particular occasion he didn't score but I've been a fan ever since.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

It has to be Steve McManaman, not only because of his blonde and curly hair that seemed to give a sense of almost rhythmical joy when he ghosted past opposing players with skill and grace, but also I enjoyed the football articles that he wrote back then. It made him stand out from other footballers who didn't do many columns at that time. He also scored a number of vital goals, not least the League Cup winner against Bolton. 

What is your favourite LFC memory?

There are so many memories when it comes to LFC but my most favourite one has to be the Merseyside derby match that I attended at Goodison Park back in 2008-09. I was so lucky to get a ticket to the game and get to experience the most intense Premier League clash of them all. I also got to see first-hand why the Merseyside derby is so famous, not least because of the intensity and stress on show between the two sides and their supporters. I had to sit amongst the Evertonians and had to celebrate Torres' goal secretly, but it was a truly memorable occasion and definitely a memory that I will never forget. It made the long walk back from Goodison Park to the city centre well worthwhile!

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

Though I live in Thailand, I have been lucky enough to have met three Liverpool managers in the past 12 years; Gerard Houllier, Rafael Benitez and  Kenny Dalglish. They were all nice and kind to the fans but King Kenny is my favourite one, because he's a true legend. He reunited the team after Hodgson left, when we were most in need of it and in turn led the team to our first trophy in six years. 

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

Gillett and Hicks' financial problems that helped push the club towards the edge of extinction. At that time I wasn't sure whether we would get a points deduction, go into administration, get relegated or even go out of business. It was a very depressing and worrying time. Our problems even became headline news in Thailand and we were all well aware of how serious the situation was even over here.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

I visited Anfield for the first time in 2002, it was a journey beyond expectation. Anfield is not only a football stadium, it's also like a holy shrine where thousands and thousands of people who believe in the same thing come and worship together. I came with a group of friends and I was the only one who possessed an LFC scarf, so we shared it with the whole group when 'You'll Never Walk Alone' came on over the tannoy. There was a supporter next to me who asked me whether I wanted to hold the scarf with him while we sang; it was a nice, friendly experience with a complete stranger which showed to me the sense of unity amongst our fans. My most recent visit was in late 2011 for our home game against Newcastle, when I could feel the whole stadium bounce.

Where were you while we were in Istanbul? 

I had to go to Hua Hin for a fashion shoot but luckily (and I made sure of this beforehand) the resort was equipped with cable TV. I watched the game alone in my room. I remember I got calls from my friends and my dad asking if I'm still up and watching the game even when we were 3-0 down. I remembered saying to every one of them that 'I won't give up as the team haven't given up' and I was proved right. Stevie never gave up and neither did Xabi, Smicer and the rest of the team. Every player made themselves a hero that night, as well as the fans in the stadium and all over the world too.

Do Liverpool have an extra passionate fan base in Thailand?

I know Liverpool is a worldwide club these days, but many would be amazed to know that despite a 9,000 kilometre gap between Liverpool and Thailand, there are huge numbers of passionate fans here who never lose faith in the club - win or lose - and are proud to display their allegiance. Whenever Liverpool come to Thailand on a pre-season tour, you will always find large numbers of supporters fully kitted out in LFC shirts, scarves, flags and all the things that you see at Anfield every week. There are also many flourishing LFC online communities amongst the Thai people, which are very active and the participation on the club's official online channels such as Facebook and @ThaiLFC - the club's official Twitter account for Thailand - is also noticeably healthy and growing in numbers all the time. We have the second most popular international LFC Twitter account next to Indonesia and the Thai LFC family is still growing.

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

I know Liverpool Football Club has millions and millions of fans following the official Facebook and Twitter pages but one thing that always amazes me is that wherever you go in Bangkok and indeed throughout Thailand, you will see car after car with Liverpool stickers on them, indeed they appear to form a majority. Manchester United also have a huge fanbase here, and likewise I see a lot of stickers, shirts and placards about the place. But I have to say I have not seen too many Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs fans by comparison, though they do exist.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?

I used to be a regular visitor on various Liverpool independent websites before the club started their own online community. More recently, it has become a habit of mine to go to the official site to check news, interviews and videos before I go to work every morning. It helps kick start my day. Facebook is also another interesting source for various LFC content and images and we now even get updates in Thai! And last but not least, @ThaiLFC, the official LFC Twitter for Thailand, now offers tailor made content in our own language. What I love the most are the exclusive interviews where Thai fans can send questions to various first-team players such as Martin Kelly, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing, and also to youngsters such as Jerome Sinclair and Jack Robinson. It definitely makes us feel closer to the club.

Do you also support a local team?

With all the official online communities mentioned above, my 24-hour day is fully occupied with Liverpool FC, so sadly I don't have much time to follow a local side. But I always keep an eye on how the Thai national team are doing.

Who is your favourite current player and why?

Steven Gerrard is my all time favourite Liverpool player but recently I have had a little place in my heart for Brad Jones. It was his courage that I found inspirational, even though he suffered a tough period in his life, he never gave up. And fate in turn rewarded him with a chance to shine in the first team in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton last year. And since that time he has never let anyone down whenever he has been called up for first-team duties.

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool FC - past or present - who would it be and why?

I would like to meet Steven Gerrard in person and would like to tell him that I became what I am today because of him and Liverpool FC. I originally began my career in journalism because I wanted to get a press pass when Liverpool FC came to Thailand for a pre-season tour in 2001. Unfortunately Stevie was injured and missed the tour. Believe it or not, 12 years since then, I'm still working as a journalist and am still waiting for my chance to have an interview of a lifetime with him!

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

Everyone knows about the golden history of Liverpool FC. Unlike the fashion world, which I am familiar with where trends come and go, Liverpool FC remains a constant presence in my life and I could never see that changing. I am glad that LFC came into my life all those years ago, and it has shaped my life in a truly special way.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?

The Liverpool way is not only just about how the Liverpool team plays football or about any particular player or manager. The Liverpool way is also a unique way of life practiced by Liverpool FC and the supporters, in particular relating to how things are done both on the pitch and off the pitch. It's like a family tradition, culture or heritage that can only be properly understood by and passed down among members of that particular family or community. The community aspect is especially important in my view, particularly in relation to the many charity campaigns that help give something back to the people of the city and those in need as a whole, regardless of place, ethnicity, sex or race. It is something that is indeed very special and unique and that you just don't see anywhere else.

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