Bangkok--Dec 20--SET
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) handed over the Chulalongkorn Stadium to Chulalongkorn University (CU) after renovating it with a THB66.5 million budget. The CU stadium becomes a city stadium with modern facilities, and has Thailand’s first synthetic-turf soccer field as well as a sports library. This new modern stadium will draw youth away from drugs and be a model for other stadiums nationwide.
This stadium renovation project was funded by the SET’s 30th Anniversary Charity Fund, and was approved by the CU Council and the SET’s 30th Anniversary Charity Fund committee as it would benefit society and Thai youth. The CU Stadium’s synthetic turf soccer field is in line with the FIFA’s (The F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association) standards.
CU President Professor Khunying Suchada Kiranandana, Ph.D., announced after the handover ceremony today (Dec. 19) that: “The project is a new frontier for youth development. The stadium has been developed with a modern look and facilities to attract Thai youth to play sports. The new turf is more durable, enabling longer hours of service. The stadium will be open from 07:00 — 23:00 hrs. for students, the university’s staff and the general public,” she said.
SET President Mr. Kittiratt Na-Ranong said that: “The newly-renovated stadium will change the face of the conventional sports center here in Thailand, as it’s been designed with a new image, maximized space utilization, longer service hours and more manageable conditions. It will thus be a model for other sports centers. The stadium will accommodate 280,000 visitors a year, or twice the current number of visitors. Furthermore, Thai youth will be able to use the place to develop their skills to a professional level.”
The CU Stadium development project started on June 1, 2005 and was completed on November 17, 2005. The test-run was on November 28, 2005.
The development consists of a THB34 million synthetic-turf soccer field, synthetic-rubber running lanes, a visitor’s lounge, an exhibition hall, an information counter, executive offices, a press room and a control room.
The grandstand has also been renovated to accommodate more facilities, including live broadcast facilities. 2,130 new comfortable seats have been installed. The stadium will now have a total seating capacity for up to 25,000 spectators.
In addition, the indoor stadium is also renovated to contain a modern fitness center which will be open until 9:00 pm.
Another important development is the sports library. This library, which is on the 1st floor with 120 sqm. area, is stocked with 3,000 publications, 60 seats, and divided into zones for reading, exhibition, movies and music, Internet, and for kids and activities.
The new stadium is open from 07:00 — 23:00 hrs. for CU students and staff, and the general public. For more information, please contact the CU Sports Center at tel: 0 2218 2874 to 7 and 0 2218 2840 or browse www.cusc.chula.ac.th
The SET’s 30th Anniversary Charity Fund was set up in commemoration of the 3 decades of the SET’s operations. The fund is to improve the quality of life for Thai youth, both in education and sports skills, as well as to reduce the influence of drugs. The fund has supported several youth projects in 2005.
For more information, please contact the Corporate Communication Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036
Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049
Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797 End.