Football in Thailand
Encyclopedia
Football in Thailand is organized by Football Association of Thailand
(FAT).
Football is the most famous sport in Thailand
. Although the professional football leagues are new to Thai people
, football was introduced to Thailand as far back as 1897. Many Thais also watch football on local and paid-cable TV. Many matches, especially those in the English FA Premier League
can be watched free on local channels. Thai channels broadcast every match of the 2006 World Cup.
In 2007, Thailand co-hosted the Asian Cup 2007 with three other countries. This was the second time the event had been held in Thailand, the first being in 1972.
." After that the association joined the FIFA
in 1925 and AFC
in 1957.
Thailand national football team
joined Olympic Games
first time in Australia
in 1956
The first football stadium, Suphachalasai Stadium
, was built in 1935. King's Cup
, the first football cup was introduced in 1968. And then two years later, Queen's Cup
, a national cup competition, started in 1970.
:
(See also: Thai football league system
for the additional detail about league system.)
Bangkok Soccer League
is a youth football club organised for children attending international schools in Thailand and provides regular football for over 500 kids, both Thai and expat.
Football Association of Thailand
The Football Association of Thailand or the full name is the Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King is the governing body of football in Thailand. It was founded in 25 April 1916 and then joined FIFA in 23 June 1925 and AFC in 1957.Recently the FAT has been...
(FAT).
Football is the most famous sport in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Although the professional football leagues are new to Thai people
Thai people
The Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
, football was introduced to Thailand as far back as 1897. Many Thais also watch football on local and paid-cable TV. Many matches, especially those in the English FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
can be watched free on local channels. Thai channels broadcast every match of the 2006 World Cup.
In 2007, Thailand co-hosted the Asian Cup 2007 with three other countries. This was the second time the event had been held in Thailand, the first being in 1972.
History
Football was introduced into Thailand in 1897. In 1916, King Vajiravudh founded "The Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the KingFootball Association of Thailand
The Football Association of Thailand or the full name is the Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King is the governing body of football in Thailand. It was founded in 25 April 1916 and then joined FIFA in 23 June 1925 and AFC in 1957.Recently the FAT has been...
." After that the association joined the FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
in 1925 and AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
in 1957.
Thailand national football team
Thailand national football team
The Thailand national football team represents Thailand in international football competition and is governed by the Football Association of Thailand. The team has a history of success in Southeast Asian competition, with three ASEAN Football Championship titles and nine senior-level Southeast...
joined Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
first time in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1956
The first football stadium, Suphachalasai Stadium
Suphachalasai Stadium
Suphachalasai Stadium, also known as the National Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The stadium holds 26,000 people and was opened in 1935.-History:...
, was built in 1935. King's Cup
King's Cup
The King's Cup is an international football competition held in Thailand. It has been played annually since 1968, with the exception of 1983, 1985 and 2008. In some years, the competition has featured club or invitational teams as well as international sides....
, the first football cup was introduced in 1968. And then two years later, Queen's Cup
Queen's Cup
The Queen's Cup is an annual football cup competition in Thailand. Run by the Football Association of Thailand, it was first contested in 1970. It is named after Queen Sirikit....
, a national cup competition, started in 1970.
High-Division
- Premier League
- Division 1Thailand Division 1 LeagueThai Division 1 League is the second tier league in Thai domestic football tournament. The top 3 are promoted to Thai Premier League at the end of the season season, whilst four are relegated to Division 2....
- Division 2Thailand Division 2 LeagueAIS Regional League Division 2 is the 3rd Level League in Thailand. In 2009, it was divided into five groups by geographic region. As of 2011 each group contains 16 clubs except for the Southern Region group which contains 13 clubs.-League History:...
Low-Division
For promotion to Division 2Thailand Division 2 League
AIS Regional League Division 2 is the 3rd Level League in Thailand. In 2009, it was divided into five groups by geographic region. As of 2011 each group contains 16 clubs except for the Southern Region group which contains 13 clubs.-League History:...
:
- Football Royal Cup - (Division 3 A) For the general teams.
- Khǒr Royal Cup - Division 3 - 1 A - The top two teams are promoted into Division 2Thailand Division 2 LeagueAIS Regional League Division 2 is the 3rd Level League in Thailand. In 2009, it was divided into five groups by geographic region. As of 2011 each group contains 16 clubs except for the Southern Region group which contains 13 clubs.-League History:...
. - Khor Royal Cup - Division 3 - 2 A
- Ngor Royal Cup - Division 3 - 3 A
- Khǒr Royal Cup - Division 3 - 1 A - The top two teams are promoted into Division 2
- Provincial LeagueProvincial LeagueProvincial League also known as Pro League is the old regional Football league in Thailand in 1999-2008. It was founded in 1999 under the name "Provincial League" organized by Sports Authority of Thailand and Ministry of Tourism and Sports...
- (Division 3 B) For provincial teams around the country. This competition is organized by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). It's divide to 5 regional consist of CentralCentral ThailandCentral Thailand is a region of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from North-East Thailand by the Phetchabun mountain range, and another mountain range separates it from Myanmar to the west. In the north it gently changes into the more hilly...
, EasternEastern ThailandEastern Thailand is a region of Thailand bordering Cambodia on the east and Central Thailand on the west.-Geography:Eastern Thailand lies between the Sankamphaeng Range, which forms the border of the Northeastern plateau to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south...
, NorthernNorthern ThailandThailand's northern region is geographically characterised by multiple mountain ranges which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar and Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them...
, Northeastern (Isan)IsanIsan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
, SouthernSouthern ThailandSouthern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus.-Geography:Southern Thailand is located on the Malay Peninsula, with an area around 70,713 km², bounded to the north by Kra Isthmus as the narrowest part of the peninsula. The...
. The winners and the runner-ups from each regions will play in SAT Championship playoffs in the tournament at the end of a season. The top two teams are promoted into the Division 2Thailand Division 2 LeagueAIS Regional League Division 2 is the 3rd Level League in Thailand. In 2009, it was divided into five groups by geographic region. As of 2011 each group contains 16 clubs except for the Southern Region group which contains 13 clubs.-League History:...
.
(See also: Thai football league system
Thai football league system
- Current System :Current system in use since 2009- Before 1996 season :Before the top level of Thai football league, Thai Premier League was constituted in 1996, the Football Royal Cup was the football competitions of Thailand at that time....
for the additional detail about league system.)
Cup competitions
- FA Cup - an annual match of football clubs in Thailand.
- League CupThai League CupThe League Cup is a football cup competition in Thailand. It was formed during the 2010 domestic football league season in Thailand and runs along the same lines as the Thai FA Cup except that the earlier rounds would be regional rather than an open draw....
- an annual match of football clubs in Thailand. - Queen's CupQueen's CupThe Queen's Cup is an annual football cup competition in Thailand. Run by the Football Association of Thailand, it was first contested in 1970. It is named after Queen Sirikit....
- an annual national football cup competition. - Kor Royal CupKor Royal CupKor Royal Cup or in old name Yai Cup was the highest level of club football competition which competed in the tournament in Thailand since 1916-1995. It was founded by Football Association of Thailand in 1916...
- an annual match between the champions and the runner-ups of the Premier League - King's CupKing's CupThe King's Cup is an international football competition held in Thailand. It has been played annually since 1968, with the exception of 1983, 1985 and 2008. In some years, the competition has featured club or invitational teams as well as international sides....
- an annual international football competition for national teams.
Other famous competitions
- Chula-Thammasat Traditional Football Match, an annual match between Chulalongkorn UniversityChulalongkorn UniversityChulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
and Thammasat UniversityThammasat UniversityThammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
on January at Suphachalasai StadiumSuphachalasai StadiumSuphachalasai Stadium, also known as the National Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The stadium holds 26,000 people and was opened in 1935.-History:...
. It first started in 1934. - JaturamitrJaturamitrThe Jaturamitr Samakkee is a traditional secondary school football league played by the four oldest boys' schools in Thailand, namely: Suankularb Wittayalai School, Debsirin School, Assumption College and Bangkok Christian College. It is held biennially, usually in November, at the Suphachalasai...
a bi-annual competition of four oldest high schools in Thailand (Suankularb Wittayalai SchoolSuankularb Wittayalai SchoolSuankularb Wittayalai School is an all-boys secondary school for grades 7th through 12th in Thailand. Founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1882, Suankularb is the oldest public secondary school in the country...
, Debsirin School, Assumption CollegeAssumption College, ThailandAssumption College is a private boys only Catholic school in Bangkok, Thailand.- History :Assumption College traces its history to 1885. when Father Emile August Colombet, a French missionary priest, opened his school in Bangkok. In those days before free public schools, Colombet realised many...
, and Bangkok Christian CollegeBangkok Christian CollegeBangkok Christian College is a private boys' school in Bangkok and the oldest school in Thailand. It was established on 30 September 1852 by American Presbyterian missionaries. It offers a standard educational curriculum...
). It first started 1964.
Timeline
History of events in Thai football| Year | Important Events |
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Youth football
Youth football is very popular in Thailand, with several competitions and clubs being active.Bangkok Soccer League
Bangkok Soccer League
Bangkok Soccer League is a voluntary organization that runs a youth football club in Bangkok, Thailand. Its aim is to promote good sportsmanship, teach footballing skills and organize regular team games...
is a youth football club organised for children attending international schools in Thailand and provides regular football for over 500 kids, both Thai and expat.
Thai famous players
- Bamrong BoonpromBamrong BoonpromBamrung Boonprom is a former Thai football Striker player who was awarded the Asian Young Footballer of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation in 1996. He played at 1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Egypt.-References:...
- Dassakorn ThonglaoDassakorn ThonglaoDatsakorn Thonglao is a Thai footballer. He currently plays for Muangthong United F.C. in the Thai Premier League. He also plays in the Thailand national football team. He is well known for his skillful style of play, and is a free kick specialists. He wears the number 7 jersey and is the...
- Kawin Thamsatchanan
- Kiatisuk SenamuangKiatisuk SenamuangKiatisuk "Zico" Senamuang is a Thai football manager and former football striker who played between April 1993 and October 2007, currently managing Chula United in the Thai Division 1 League.-Club career:...
("Zico") - Piyapong Piew-on ("Took")
- Sarayoot ChaikamdeeSarayoot ChaikamdeeSarayuth Chaikamdee is a Thai footballer. He plays for Thai Premier League clubside Bangkok Glass. He previously played for Pisico Bình Ðịnh F.C. in the V-League . He is a striker and is known in Thailand as "Joe five yards" because he only score goals within the 5 yards box...
- Seksan Piturat
- Surat SukhaSurat SukhaSurat Sukha is a Thai international footballer who plays for Buriram PEA. He is a defensive midfielder who can also play as a left or right back.-Melbourne Victory:Thailand international recruited from Chonburi FC in Thailand...
- Suree Sukha
- Sutee Suksomkit
- Tawan SripanTawan SripanTotchtawan Sripan or formerly Tawan Sripan nickname "Ban", is a Thai football player.Totchtawan became one of the greatest midfielders in Thailand, with his creative passing and set-piece taking....
- Teerasil DangdaTeerasil DangdaTeerasil Dangda is a Thai footballer, currently playing for Muangthong United. He is also an established member of the Thailand national team, and was in the squad for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. He is a one of young Players to Watch in 2010 of Asia.-Club career:...
- Teeratep Winothai ("Leesaw")
- Therdsak ChaimanTherdsak ChaimanTherdsak Chaiman is a Thai footballer who plays for Chonburi. Therdsak is a free kick specialist and can shoot with both feet.-Club career:Therdsak is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's finest footballers....
- Dusit ChalermsanDusit ChalermsanDusit Chalermsan is a former Thai football player. He is a famous Defender who scored 14 goals for the national team. He played for the national team Between 1996-2004. Currently, He has been the head coach of Sriracha....
- Netipong Srithong-InNetipong Srithong-InNetipong Srithong-In or "Alfred" is a former Thai-French football player. He is a famous Striker who scored 25 goals for the Thailand national team. He played for Thailand national team since 1995-1997 He played for Thailand in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup finals.-International goals:- References :...
("Alfred") - Natee Thongsookkaew
- Witthaya HloaguneWitthaya HloaguneWitthaya Hloagune or Witthaya Laohakul nickname "Heng" is a football Midfielder from Thailand. Between 1975 and 1985. He is the first thai footballer who play for a European club at German Bundesliga side Hertha BSC.-Clubs:...
See also
- Thai football league systemThai football league system- Current System :Current system in use since 2009- Before 1996 season :Before the top level of Thai football league, Thai Premier League was constituted in 1996, the Football Royal Cup was the football competitions of Thailand at that time....
- Thailand Football Records and Statistics
- List of football clubs in Thailand
- Thailand Futsal LeagueThailand Futsal League- Clubs :Competition of 12 club in 2010 league* Bangkok* Bangkok Glass* CAT Telecom* I Am Sport* Nonthaburi* RBAC* Rajnavy* Samut Prakan* Samut Sakhon* Sripatum University* Surat Thani* Thai PortCompetition of 16 club in 2011 league...