Thu Nov 03, 12:58 PM
Blog from Thailand 2: Hockey carries on despite ongoing disaster
Ben O'Hara-Byrne | CTV News
Boy watches hockey game in Bangkok, Thailand (Ben O'Hara-Byrned)
As Bangkok kept a close eye on flood waters, 24 teams took to the less threatening frozen form on the eastern outskirts of the city. The annual "Land of Smiles" charity hockey tournament was very nearly cancelled because of the ongoing disaster but organizers decided as long as the power stayed on, they should carry on.
Teams from throughout Asia and around the world (including Canada) competed in the 17th annual tournament. The audience was small but bigger than expected . I found out, to my surprise, it was still going on when I contacted Canadian Scott Murray who I'd met on a previous trip; I always thought it would be worth covering but never pictured it being under these circumstances.
Taipei won the International Division, Scott's local Flying Farangs won the Rec Division and a Thai team won the Asian Division: Sadly, flooding cancelled the charity auction.
Here are some more photos from some of Bangkok's many flooded streets:
A small example of why they call this the "Land of Smiles."
