Football in Thailand
Football in Thailand is organized by Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
Football is the most popular sport in Thailand.[1][2] 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.
History
Football was introduced into Thailand in 1897. In 1916, King Vajiravudh founded "The Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King." 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.
Thai football competitions
Leagues and tournaments
League competitions in Thailand include :
- Thai Premier League
- Thai Division 1 League
- Thai League Championship
- Regional League Division 2
- Thai Football Division 3
(See also: Thai football league system for the additional detail about league system.)
Domestic Cup competitions
- Thai FA Cup - an annual tournament of football clubs in Thailand.
- Thai League Cup - an annual tournament of football clubs in Thailand.
- Charity Cup - an annual match between the champions of the Thai Premier League and the champions of the Thai FA Cup
International Cup competitions
- King's Cup - an annual international football competition for national teams.
- Queen's Cup - an annual international football cup competition for football club teams.
Other competitions
- Chula-Thammasat Traditional Football Match, an annual match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University on January at Suphachalasai Stadium. It first started in 1934.
- Jaturamitr a bi-annual competition of four oldest high schools in Thailand (Suankularb Wittayalai School, Debsirin School, Assumption College, and Bangkok Christian College). It first started 1964.
Timeline
History of events in Thai football
| Year | Important Events | # TPL Clubs | # ACL Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 |
|
||
| 1995 |
|
||
| 1996 |
|
18 | |
| 1997 |
|
12 | |
| 1998 |
|
12 | |
| 1999 | 12 | ||
| 2000 |
|
12 | |
| 2001 |
|
12 | |
| 2002 |
|
10 | 2 |
| 2003 |
|
10 | 2 |
| 2004 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2006 |
|
12 | 1 |
| 2007 |
|
16 | 1 |
| 2008 |
|
16 | 2 |
| 2009 |
|
16 | 1 |
| 2010 |
|
16 | 1 |
| 2011 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2013 |
|
18 | 2 |
| 2014 | 20 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 18 | 3 | |
| 2016 |
|
18 | 3 |
| 2017 |
|
18 | 3 |
Youth football
Youth football is very popular in Thailand, with several competitions and clubs being active. Bangkok Youth League provides the top level of youth football in Bangkok with a membership that includes teams from Thai Premiership Academies, such as BEC Tero and Chonburi Sharks, as well as local and International Academies such as iPlay Soccer Schools. It provides a structured, competitive environment for over 1000 players aged 6–16 years. 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. 555
- Thailand Youth League
- Thailand University League
- Coke Cup U-19
Thai footballers
- Anon Sangsanoi ("Yan")
- Bamrong Boonprom
- Chanathip Songkrasin ("Jay")
- Dassakorn Thonglao ("Ko")
- Kawin Thamsatchanan ("Tong")
- Kroekrit Thaweekarn ("Kong")
- Narubodin Weerawatnodom ("Ton")
- Sarach Yooyen ("Tang")
- Sarayoot Chaikamdee ("Joe")
- Seksan Piturat ("James")
- Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool ("Tee")
- Tanaboon Kesarat ("Tum")
- Teeratep Winothai ("Leesaw")
- Theerathon Bunmathan ("Aum")
- Netipong Srithong-In ("Alfred")
- Natee Thongsookkaew
Thailand international footballers
- Anthony Ampaipitakwong — Major League Soccer
- Baramee Limwattana — New Zealand Football Championship
- Charyl Chappuis — Swiss Super League
- Chatprapob Usaprom — Cambodian League
- Choketawee Promrut ("Choke") — Malaysia Super League
- Dusit Chalermsan — I-League
- Geoffrey Prommayon — Eredivisie
- Kiatisuk Senamuang ("Zico") — V.League 1 / Malaysia Super League / S.League
- Kittiphong Pluemjai — Tippeligaen
- Mika Chunuonsee — Welsh Premier League
- Piyapong Piew-on ("Took") — K League Classic / Malaysia Super League
- Sansern Limwattana — New Zealand Football Championship
- Suchao Nuchnum — Indonesia Super League
- Surat Sukha — A-League
- Suree Sukha — S.League
- Sutee Suksomkit — A-League
- Tawan Sripan ("Ban") — V.League 1
- Teerasil Dangda ("Mui") — La Liga
- Therdsak Chaiman ("Uncle Therd") — S.League
- Witthaya Hloagune ("Oji") previously ("Heng") — Bundesliga
See also
- Thai football league system
- Thailand Football Records and Statistics
- List of football clubs in Thailand
- Thailand Futsal League
- Sport in Thailand
References
- ↑ Murray, Leigh (2011-03-06). "Managing in Asia: Bryan Robson Brings His Game to Thailand Soccer - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
- ↑ "The rise and fall of Thai soccer - The Nation". Nationmultimedia.com. 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Football in Thailand. |
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