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Published on November 10, 2007

What once had been regarded as a distant dream of a Thai presence on such a world-class stage became a near reality after reports were leaked to the public that Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be flying to the Kingdom next Friday to sign a contract with the 25-year-old full-back.

Many had expected this to happen given that Manchester City is owned by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has signalled his intention of bringing the country's talents to the Eastlands outfit.

"What I would like to change is that I would like Thai footballers to have the opportunity to play internationally. In my position, I am now able to create opportunities for Thai footballers and to get more young Thais interested in football, because sport is important in Thailand and getting young Thai people more interested in sport is essential to the future of the country," Thaksin said recently on the Premier League "World TV" programme.

 However, when Suree and his two national team-mates - teenage striker Teerasil Daengda and centre-back Kiatprawut Saiwaeo - returned home from a month-long trial at City in September, such optimism appeared to fade amid reports that the club's initial attempt to sign Suree had failed due to problems over a work permit.

This prompted the concerned parties to sort it out. The president of the Football Association of Thailand, Worawi Makudi, flew to England to hold talks with the Football Association and Premier League officials, while Chonburi football club decided to release Suree from his contract in order to allow Manchester City to sign him as a free agent outside the transfer window.

The stage now appears set for what will be a historic moment in Thai football when Suree puts his signature on the City contract. With such an event on the horizon, there has been a real buzz over Bangkok, with almost every soccer fan talking about it.

Given his impressive resume, the Sakon Nakhon native appears to be good value for the dream move to England.

Suree's football career started at Assumption Sri Racha School in Chon Buri province, where he made his name at youth level. He then became a member of almost every national side and was one of the few Thais to have experience at World Cup finals, when he represented the country in the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand eight years ago.

In the last SEA Games in the Philippines two years ago, Suree was part of the team that sealed a remarkable seventh consecutive title. He underlined his potential with a solid performance in the recent Asian Cup in June, which saw him picked as a member of the best eleven from the tournament's preliminary round.

Whatever Suree has achieved so far, though, will count for nothing when it comes to playing in such a top-flight league against some of the sport's biggest names.

People do not expect Suree to go straight into the City's first-team squad as there is still a lingering doubt over whether a Thai player can actually make it in the world's leading league. Moreover, Suree is well aware that he will have a struggle on his hands if he is to break into Eriksson's starting line-up, considering the stiff competition he will face for the right-back slot, with summer-signing Croatia international defender Vedran Corluka already looking a profitable investment.

"I'm not tough enough for the physical challenges in the Premier League. I'm also awkward in the air and still have problems in communicating with City players," said Suree, who is expected to receive about £700 (Bt49,000) to £800 per week.

"Am I good enough? I'm confident that I can play there. I'm as good as other players in the reserve team. I admit I'm still lacking in quality behind the first-team squad. If Sven really needs me, I will work hard to sort out my weaknesses."

Suree's move to the Blues also sparked a public debate as to whether it would be beneficial to his career. Some argue that he could further improve if he plied his trade in the top national leagues such as Japan's J-League, where he would have more chance of playing regularly.

However, most believe the move is well worth it since Suree will still be able to develop his skills, even though he may spend most of his time on the City bench.

Eriksson, meanwhile, stressed that next week's trip Far East trip, in which he also is due to visit China, was motivated purely out the desire to spread the "Blue" word in the region and nothing to do with the politics of the club's owner, Thaksin.

 Kitinan Sanguansak

 The Nation