The 19th Chiang Mai Cricket Sixes

Come hell or high water, or even snap general elections, when the month of April rolls around each year you can be sure to hear the crack of leather on willow down at the old Gymkhana Club in Chiang Mai. And this year will be no exception, as the 19th Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes & 7th Sawasdee Cricket Cup take centre stage from April 2 – 8th.

The Sixes Saved

High water indeed so nearly spoiled the Sixes cricket party .Repeated flooding of the Gymkhana grounds from August to October left behind tons of mud and silt, obliterating the golf course and cricket ground. The prospects for the tournament this year looked bleak. However a gallant recovery effort led by local cricketing volunteers removed the offending silt and completely re-turfed the cricket ground area. Over 10,000 square metres of new turf were laid .Thanks to the initiative of those local cricket lovers, the balance of the tournament’s bank account to pay for turf and labour and nature’s healing help, Chiang Mai Sixes will play again for the nineteenth time, right on schedule.

A Major Tourist Event

This year promises to offer the usual fun blend of fast-paced, exciting six-a-side cricket action and friendly socializing in the relaxing atmosphere of what has become perhaps the world’s most popular amateur cricket festival. A total of 31 teams from around the world have registered to compete for the Sixes Cup, Shield, Bowl, Plate and Spoon trophies this year. As one of the biggest events of its kind anywhere, it attracts well over 300 cricketers, their friends and families flying into Chiang Mai for the tournament . During the week they are in the north, it is estimated this group adds in the region of 20 million baht or more to the local economy – a significant contribution rivaling even local Songkran celebrations. A good reason why the Chiang Mai office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand has helped sponsor this event for so many years.

Lots to Enjoy

Visiting spectators are invited to enjoy the Sixes at the Gymkhana Club ground (just off the old C’Mai – Lamphun Rd. between Kavilla Barracks & Foreign Cemetary). Shaded spectator seating is provided, there’s a Boundary Bar open all day serving a full range of alcoholic drinks and other beverages, and this year no less than 3 food outlets (provided by Northern Farms, Bear’s Den, and Grill Station) serving Thai and Western dishes. To help follow the fast paced games on the cricket field there is a broadcast commentary on the matches. This commentary is also carried live worldwide via the Sixes’ own website at www.chiangmaisixes.com.

Making for a veritable feast of cricket and fun, in addition to 7 days of non-stop Sixes’ cricket (10 to 14 matches every day), there is a parallel junior cricket tournament run on an adjacent field for teams of  Thai school children. The 7th Chiang Mai Sixes Sawasdee Cricket Cup is part of the Chiang Mai based programme to develop cricket as a sport for Thais which was honoured recently by a visit from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Support for Gymkhana  

This year also marks the 9th cycle anniversary of the hosts to the Chiang Mai Sixes, the 108 year-old Chiengmai Gymkhana Club. Back in 1898, cricket was probably first played in Thailand within the beautiful, pastoral surrounds of this venerable institution. Today, while the cricket ground has been fully recovered from the effects of last year’s floods, the club’s key source of income , the splendid nine-hole golf course continues to be affected with fewer golfers coming to play.  The Club urgently needs the support of golfers and others using its convenient in-town facilities to help pay the ongoing costs of recovery.

This year’s 19th Chiang Mai Sixes will play its part in helping the Gymkhana recovery. You can help too by spending an enjoyable day out at the Sixes. Admission to the Gymkhana ground and the cricket is free, but if you buy a drink or a meal at the ground you will not only help the Sixes’ and the cause of cricket in Thailand, but also contribute to recovery of the historic old sporting club. Chiang Mai Sixes’ Cricket starts everyday 8:30 to 9am and runs until sun-down from Sunday April 2 thru’ to Saturday April 8th. 
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For further information, photos etc., please contact : Geoff Thompson , Chiang Mai Sixes Publicity, at : adskills@loxinfo.co.th  or cell phone # 010-296-101