Bangkok CSC…

Bangkok in the late 2000s was many things to many people. What Bangkok was not, was a great place to watch Celtic. In fact, watching Celtic live in Bangkok back then was a struggle. On a mission to rectify that wrong, the Bangkok CSC was founded in 2010.

Hanrahan’s was a legendary bar in the middle of the madness of the Nana area, and it was here that their new CSC welcomed ex-pats and sun-seeking holidaymakers alike, creating a unique atmosphere. The original founders of the club, Frank and Rory, were quickly joined by Leslie Stronach, Dougie Riach, Colin Philip, Gerry Stewart, Paul Murphy, and other die-hard hoops’ fans. Soi 4, a street well known as a place to go for loud music and a party atmosphere, now rang out a new and different tune—the sound of the Celtic Symphony.

Around this time, they were excited to welcome the ThaiTims to Bangkok and even more thrilled when offered the chance to take the CSC bus on the road and visit the incredible ThaiTims founders, Paul and Pun Lennon, and all the kids at their school. On their first trip, chef Leslie prepared colcannon and mince, which proved to be a culinary experience too far.

After that, they made sure to serve only hot dogs and ice cream, none of which went to waste. To this day, they continue to support the ThaiTims, and visitors to the supporters club will likely find Eddie Loughrey and David Clarkson slinging t-shirts before, during, and after games, with all the proceeds going to benefit the school. Back in Bangkok, the Celtic celebrations continued in the centre of Siam as they temporarily moved 50 yards down the road to Finnegan’s Irish bar.

Some legendary lock-ins meant the Bangkok Bhoys were able to enjoy some rare European successes, and even in defeat, the atmosphere on Soi 4 meant the troops headed home singing lullabies, battle cries, and songs of hope and joy. Title wins and cup triumphs continued to accumulate, and each was celebrated in style as they piled out onto the street to do the huddle, causing traffic jams among the already thronging thoroughfares of Bangkok.

In 2019, they were on the road again as they relocated a mile or so down Sukhumvit Road to their current home at O’Shea’s Irish Bar. By this time, long-time member Kevin MacHugh had secured them a flag, which hangs proudly in the bar to this day. In early 2020, and in conjunction with Andrew Milne of the ‘More than 90 Minutes’ podcast, they organised a fan festival, and an amazing night was had by all as Alan Thompson and Paul Byrne joined supporters from all over the world at O’Shea’s.

Over the past 12 years, the Bangkok CSC has grown steadily and now even includes members from Japan. They continue to offer a dedicated place to watch the games free of charge for any Celtic fans in Bangkok. In 2023, they had another fan festival where Bobby Petta and Didier Agathe joined them for a weekend of Celtic celebrations.

The upstairs lounge area of O’Shea’s will also soon be turned into a dedicated CSC space, so watching the hoops in Bangkok should be more comfortable and more convenient than ever. Visitors can look forward to enjoying the unique atmosphere and their one-man Green Brigade, young Jamie MacCathail, regaling the crowds with rebel songs and Celtic classics.

David McIntyre – CelticBars.com

An extract from Football Without Fans – The History of Celtic Supporters Clubs by David McIntyre ( Celtic Bars). Football Without Fans – The History of Celtic Supporters Clubs is out now and available in print and kindle versions HERE.

More from Football Without Fans tomorrow on The Celtic Star, the Celtic supporters website. Will it be your CSC that’s featured?

Just before Christmas, David McIntyre from Celtic Bars was interviewed by Celtic TV about his Football Without Fans book. Here’s the video on Celtic TV’s You Tube channel . You can order a copy in print or kindle from Amazon regardless of where you are in the world. Order your copy HERE.