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| Location | Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Public transit | BTS National Stadium |
| Owner | Chulalongkorn University[1] |
| Operator | Chulalongkorn University |
| Capacity | 19,793 [2] / 35,000 (concerts) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1937 |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Expanded | 1941 |
| Architect | Department of Physical Education |
| Tenants | |
| Thailand national football team (1948–1998) | |
The Suphachalasai Stadium (Thai: สนามศุภชลาศัย) is a sports stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, part of the National Stadium complex.
The stadium construction started in 1937 in the original area of Thai Windsor Palace that demolished in 1935.[3][4][5] The Department of Physical Education entered into a 29-year lease agreement with Chulalongkorn University. First use of the stadium happened when King Ananda Mahidol presided over in the opening ceremony of 1938 men's athletics competition, which changed the venue from Sanam Luang.[6][7]
The stadium is named after Luang Supachalasai (Bung Supachalasai), considered the Father of Thai Sport and the first Director-General of Thai Department of Physical Education.[8]
It is used mostly for staging football matches. It served as the main stadium for the 1966, 1970, and 1978 Asian Games. It was also used for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, but only for one game (Oman v Iraq in Group A). The stadium is easy for spectators to get to as it is served by the BTS Skytrain which stops at the adjacent 'National Stadium BTS station'.[9]
The stadium is a single tier construction which is uncovered on three sides. A plain but effective roof covers the main-stand side. Although there is a running track, the tribunes are immediately adjacent to it so spectators are not as far from the action as they are at the newer Rajamangala Stadium. Spectator comfort was increased in 2007 with the addition of red bench seats to the previously bare concrete steps on the three open sides.[10]
Thai league clubs often play at the Suphachalasai in Asian competitions as their own stadiums do not meet Asian Football Confederation criteria. However, it is now rarely used by the national team who usually play at the Rajamangala National Stadium. Other stadiums in Bangkok include the Thai Army Sports Stadium, the Thai-Japanese Stadium and Chulalongkorn University Stadium.
On 24 and 27 August 1993, Michael Jackson performed two concerts there during his Dangerous World Tour in front of 140,000 in attendance.
On 7 and 8 January 2023, Blackpink performed two concerts there during their Born Pink World Tour in front of 66,211 in attendance.[11]