KO PANYI FLOATING FOOTBALL PITCH

Ko Panyi (Koh Panyee) used to be a quiet fishing island unknown to most travellers around the world. But thanks to its unique attraction, it has become a popular tourist destination welcoming thousands of visitors every day.

Ko Panyi’s floating football pitch was born out of inspiration after the world cup in 1986. With little access to land to play on, a group of locals decided to build a pitch on water. This group later became Panyee FC, who have competed in and won a number of championships in Thailand.

Thousands of games later the pitch was in need of repair, so the Gumball 3000 Foundation funded a full refurbishment of the pitch allowing young people and the local Panyi community to continue enjoying their spectacular innovation. During the 25th Anniversary Rally, The Gumball 3000 Foundation co-hosted a Gumball All-Stars small-sided football match with World Champion Football Freestyler Séan Garnier and young people from Panyi FC, engaging Gumballers with the Foundation’s supported initiatives.