Red Lion aims to be roaring success abroad

THAILAND FIRST BORO-THEMED BOOZER

- By TOMMY WALKER

THE first Boro-themed bar in Thailand opened its doors on Saturday, with dozens of punters including Thai-Teesside expats making the journey for the inaugural event.

The Red Lion Sports Bar, co-owned by two Teessiders, is donned with the famous Middlesbrough red and located in Buriram, fittingly, in the northeast of the country.

Michael Farley and Adam Jennings decided to the build the bar after a discussion over a beer.

Michael from Acklam, Middlesbrough, works as a rope access scaffolder in the oil and gas industry, a job which takes him around the world.

But after living in Thailand for nearly 15 years, he wanted a place which is more representative of his roots.

He said: "I built the bar close to home as there is nothing like it close to me, with a view to making it a resort in the future. It took one year to build."

Michael says he hopes to add a swimming pool and rooms to rent in the future.