Bangkok, July 01: Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter Milan may have rebuffed Thailand's invitation to play here - but the country's sports minister says he's set his sights set higher - on Real Madrid, with English soccer icon David Beckham.
The nation newspaper today quoted tourism and sports minister Sontaya Kunplome as saying that the government is willing to spend 100 million Baht (us$2.38 million) to bring the Spanish club - which will go on an Asia tour in July and August - to Thailand.
"We have plans to spend almost 100 million Baht with Real Madrid. The government will bear 40 per cent of the total expenses while the rest will be taken care of by the sponsors", Sontaya was quoted as saying. He did not say if authorities have already approached Real Madrid or when they want the 29-time Spanish league champion to come to Thailand. The Football Association of Thailand had planned to hold the King's Super Cup in May with FA cup holders Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter Milan. But the teams backed out because of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS , in the region.

Bureau Report