Bangkok floods force WCup qualifier venue change

Published Nov. 7, 2011 7:48 p.m. ET

foxsports

Football Federation Australia says next week's World Cup qualifier against Thailand has been moved to a smaller stadium in Bangkok because the original venue is being used as a flood evacuation center.

The FFA said in a statement Tuesday the Asian Group D match scheduled for Nov. 15 will be moved from the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok's suburbs to the Suphachalasai Stadium in downtown Bangkok.

Voluntary evacuations have been ordered in 12 of Bangkok's 50 districts, though the central part of the city remains largely free from floodwaters.

Thailand's flooding began in late July and some provinces to the north of Bangkok have been inundated for more than a month. The waters have started to recede in the provinces, but are extending across the capital.