Thai League 1

The Thai League 1 (Thai: ไทยลีก 1), often referred to as T1, is the top level of the Thai football league system. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Thai League 2. Seasons run from February to October, with each team playing 30 games (playing all 15 other teams both home and away). It is sponsored by Toyota and therefore officially known as the Toyota Thai League. In the Thai League, most of the games are played during Saturdays and Sundays, with a few games played on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Thai League 1
Founded1996 (1996)
First season1996–97
CountryThailand
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toThai League 2
Domestic cup(s)Thai FA Cup
Champions Cup
League cup(s)Thai League Cup
International cup(s)AFC Champions League
ASEAN Club Championship
Current championsChiangrai United (1st title)
(2019)
Most championshipsBuriram United (7th title)
TV partnersYouTube (Worldwide)
Facebook (Worldwide)
Genflix (Indonesia, pay-streaming)
Eleven Sports
Zense Entertainment
NBT (Thailand)
5HD (Thailand)
7HD (Thailand)
MCOT HD
T-Sports
WebsiteOfficial website
Current: 2020–21

History

Origins

Thailand has had league-football competition since 1916. Before the inception of the Thai League, the highest level of club football was the semi-professional league Kor Royal Cup (Thai: ถ้วย ก.) which was contested in a tournament format from 1916 to 1995.

Foundation

Thai League was introduced in 1996 by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) under the name Thailand Soccer League. Eighteen clubs who earlier competed for the Kor Royal Cup were registered to play in the first edition of a double round-robin league system.[1] Thai Farmers Bank was crowned as the first champion of the 1996–97 Thailand Soccer League.

The Thai League originally had 10 to 12 clubs each season until 2007, when it was expanded to 16 clubs. At the end of each season, the three bottom placed clubs are relegated to the Thai Division 1 League.

Leagues integration (2007)

Most of Thai League clubs in that time were the organisation of government authorities club that based in Greater Bangkok and Metropolitan. Meanwhile, the other local clubs had competed in the semi-pro league called the Provincial League. Thai Premier League faced the issue of low attendance and lack of local loyalties while the Provincial league suffered the financial issue. In 2007, Thai League was integrated with Provincial League completely. Chonburi from the Provincial League was the first champion of the new Thailand Premier League in 2007 season.

Modern era (2009)

In 2009 season, there were significant changes in the lead to the new era of the Thai Premier League. Asian Football Confederation declared the regulations for the associations that have the intention to send the clubs to compete in AFC Champions League starting from 2011.[2] Football Association of Thailand had to establish Thai Premier League co.ltd and forced the clubs in the top league to complete AFC Club License Criteria[3] otherwise Thai clubs will not eligible to play in the Champions League. Clubs were forced to separate themselves from the parent organisations and registered as the independent football authorities.

The massive changes occurred in that season. Thailand Premier League renamed to Thai Premier League. Two times league champion Krung Thai Bank failed to complete the new regulations. The organisation decided to sell the club. The club was acquired by Boon Rawd and rebranded to be Bangkok Glass. Bangkok University had expelled their football club section. The club rebrand itself to Bangkok United since then. The organisation-based clubs had to relocate to find the local supporters to backup the clubs. Osotspa changed their home stadium to Saraburi Province, TOT moved to play in Kanchanaburi, Royal Navy played in Rayong Province while Thailand Tobacco Monopoly integrated to Samut Sakhon Province and rebranded to TTM Samut Sakhon.

Muangthong United were promoted from Thai Division 1 League in that season and won Thai Premier League in their first year in the top league.

Thailand Clasico

Thailand Clasico or The Classic Match of Thailand is the matchup between Muangthong United and Chonburi. It is the matchup that presents Thai football in the modern era. The name was given to the encounter of two teams due to the hype and massive atmosphere around the match. The first encounter between them happened in the 2009 Thai Premier League season. On 30 May 2009, Chonburi that was regarded as the best club in Thailand at that moment hosted the new powerhouse who were just promoted from Division 1 Muangthong United. The match was played at Nong Prue Stadium, Pattaya. Before the match, Chonburi was the leader in the table after 10 matches of the season while Muangthong followed in second with one less point. Chonburi made the lead by 2–0 in the first thirty minutes but Muangthong bounced back to win by the 5–2 result at the end. The match was full of the exciting and dramatic moments. Then, it was considered as one of the most classic matches in Thai League history. The Muangthong versus Chonburi matchup was dubbed as "Thailand Clasico" ever since then.

The first invincible

In 2012 season, Muangthong United under Serbian head coach Slaviša Jokanović, had become the first club in the league history that completed the season with an unbeaten record. Muangthong finished at the top of the final standing with 25 wins and 9 draws.

Buriram dominance

The Buriram Dominance refers to the 2013 to 2015 season, which Buriram United won Thai Premier League in three consecutive seasons as the first club in the league history. The three titles in that period included two invincible titles which Buriram United completed Thai Premier League campaign unbeaten in 2013 and 2015 season.[4][5]

Rebranding (2017)

In 2017, Football Association of Thailand decided to rebrand Thai Premier League into Thai League 1. Since its inception in 1996 the Thai Premier League has relied upon local sponsorship. Re-branding initiatives seek to foster an international identity for the Thai and elevate the league globally through commitment to world class level management and marketing which incorporates multifaceted promotion through various media in order to draw attention to league competition and cups.[6][7] This rebranding earned the Good Design Award in the Brand Identity branch from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.[8]

Champions

# Year Winners Runners-up
1 1996–97 Bangkok Bank Stock Exchange of Thailand
2 1997 Royal Thai Air Force Sinthana
3 1998 Sinthana Royal Thai Air Force
4 1999 Royal Thai Air Force Port
5 2000 BEC Tero Sasana Royal Thai Air Force
6 2001–02 BEC Tero Sasana Osotsapa
7 2002–03 Krung Thai Bank BEC Tero Sasana
8 2003–04 Krung Thai Bank BEC Tero Sasana
9 2004–05 Tobacco Monopoly PEA
10 2006 Bangkok University Osotsapa
11 2007 Chonburi Krung Thai Bank
12 2008 PEA Chonburi
13 2009 Muangthong United Chonburi
14 2010 Muangthong United Buriram United
15 2011 Buriram United Chonburi
16 2012 Muangthong United Chonburi
17 2013 Buriram United Muangthong United
18 2014 Buriram United Chonburi
19 2015 Buriram United Muangthong United
20 2016 Muangthong United Bangkok United
21 2017 Buriram United Muangthong United
22 2018 Buriram United Bangkok United
23 2019 Chiangrai United Buriram United
24 2020–21
25 2021–22

Wins by club

Club Wins Winning years
Buriram United
7
2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
Muangthong United
4
2009, 2010, 2012, 2016
Air Force Central
2
1997, 1999
Police Tero 2000, 2001–02
Krung Thai Bank 2002–03, 2003–04
Bangkok Bank
1
1996–97
Bangkok United 2006
Sinthana 1998
Chonburi 2007
TTM FC 2004–05
Chiangrai United 2019

The Invincibles

Unbeatable champions:

Clubs

Chainat Hornbill and Chiangmai were relegated to the 2020 Thai League 2 after finishing the 2019 season in the bottom two places.

They were replaced by, BG Pathum United, Police Tero and Rayong from Thai League 2.

PTT Rayong was dissolved due to financial problem so they were replaced by Suphanburi, 14th place in 2019 season.

Stadiums and location (2020)

Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team Province Stadium Capacity
Bangkok United Pathum Thani Thammasat Stadium 19,375
BG Pathum United Pathum Thani Leo Stadium 9,000
Buriram United Buriram Chang Arena 32,600
Chiangrai United Chiangrai Singha Stadium 13,000
Chonburi Chonburi Chonburi Stadium 8,680
Muangthong United Nonthaburi SCG Stadium 12,505
Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Ratchasima 80th Birthday Stadium 24,641
Police Tero Bangkok Boonyachinda Stadium 3,550
Port Bangkok PAT Stadium 8,000
PT Prachuap Prachuap Khiri Khan Sam Ao Stadium 5,000
Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Stadium 10,000
Rayong Rayong Rayong Provincial Stadium 7,500
Samut Prakan City Samut Prakan Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium 5,130
Sukhothai Sukhothai Thung Thalay Luang Stadium 8,000
Suphanburi Suphanburi Suphan Buri Provincial Stadium 15,279
Trat Trat Trat Provincial Stadium 5,000

Stadiums (2020)

Bangkok United BG Pathum United Buriram United Chiangrai United Chonburi Muangthong United
Thammasat Stadium Leo Stadium Chang Arena Singha Stadium Chonburi Stadium SCG Stadium
Capacity: 25,000 Capacity: 16,014 Capacity: 32,600 Capacity: 11,354 Capacity: 8,680 Capacity: 15,000
Nakhon Ratchasima Police Tero Port PT Prachuap Rayong Ratchaburi Mitr Phol
80th Birthday Stadium Boonyachinda Stadium PAT Stadium Sam Ao Stadium Rayong Province Stadium Mitr Phol Stadium
Capacity: 24,641 Capacity: 3,550 Capacity: 12,000 Capacity: 2,700 Capacity: 7,500 Capacity: 10,000
Samut Prakan City Sukhothai Suphanburi Trat
Samut Prakarn SAT Stadium Thalay Luang Stadium Suphan Buri Provincial Stadium Trat Province Stadium
Capacity: 5,100 Capacity: 8,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 6,000

Records

All-time top scorers

As of 9 February 2021
Thai League
Rank Player Period Goals Apps
1 Cleiton Silva 2010–2014, 2015–2017, 2018–2019 141 193
2 Heberty 2014–2016, 2017– 122 170
3 Teerasil Dangda 2009–2014, 2015–2017, 2019 , 2021– 117 270
4 Dragan Boškovic 2013– 110 182
5 Pipob On-Mo 2006–2019 108 404
6 Leandro Assumpção[9] 2011– 105 203
7 Diogo 2015–2019, 2020– 102 107
Sarayuth Chaikamdee 2001–2004, 2007–2012, 2013–2014 101 233
9 Chatree Chimtalay 2009– 100 175
10 Mario Gjurovski 2012–2019 93 197

Figures for active players (in bold).

Most appearances

As of 1 January 2019
Rank Player Position Apps Goals
1 Rangsan Viwatchaichok MF 439 49
2 Pipob On-Mo FW 402 108
3 Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool GK 353 1
4 Siwarak Tedsungnoen GK 345 0
5 Pichitphong Choeichiu MF 340 62
6 Nattaporn Phanrit DF 335 19
7 Narit Taweekul GK 315 1
8 Apichet Puttan DF 262 7
9 Kittisak Rawangpa GK 254 0
10 Jetsada Jitsawad DF 253 4

Figures for active players (in bold) .

Player statistics

Awards

Thai League trophy from 2011 to 2016
Thai League trophy from 2017 to present

Prize money

  • Champion: 10,000,000 Baht
  • Runner-up: 2,000,000
  • Third place: 1,500,000
  • Fourth place: 800,000

Trophy

  • 2011 – 2016 trophy: In 2010, Football Association of Thailand and Thai Premier League Co. Ltd considered to improve the image of Thai Premier League Trophy. The trophy itself was designed by Glue Creative from England and produced by British Silverware of Sheffield. The trophy was crafted by silver with the European style of a crown. Three divas are holding up the trophy and three golden elephants are standing on the base. The trophy is 75 cm tall and weighs more than 30 kg. The production used 250-man hours of work and the finished trophy worth 2 million baht.
  • 2017 – current trophy: In 2017, Football Association of Thailand order the trophy produced from England that was created by Royal Jewellers Asprey of London to be new champions trophy. The trophy reflecting Thai identity by the use of Kranok pattern mixed with modern pattern and sculpt it pieces by piece.[10][11]

Top scorers

Season Top scorer Club Goals
1996–97 Amporn Amparnsuwan TOT 21
1997 Worrawoot Srimaka BEC Tero Sasana 17
1998 Ronnachai Sayomchai Port Authority 23
1999 Sutee Suksomkit Thai Farmer Bank 13
2000 Sutee Suksomkit Thai Farmer Bank 16
2001–02 Worrawoot Srimaka
Pitipong Kuldilok
BEC Tero Sasana
Port Authority
12
2002–03 Sarayoot Chaikamdee Port Authority 12
2003–04 Vimol Jankam Osotsapa 14
2004–05 Supakit Jinajai
Sarayoot Chaikamdee
Provincial Electricity Authority
Port Authority
10
2006 Pipat Thonkanya BEC Tero Sasana 12
2007 Ney Fabiano Thailand Tobacco Monopoly 18
2008 Anon Sangsanoi BEC Tero Sasana 20
2009 Anon Sangsanoi BEC Tero Sasana 18
2010 Ludovick Takam Pattaya United 17
2011 Franck Ohandza Buriram PEA 19
2012 Teerasil Dangda
Cleiton Silva
Muangthong United
BEC Tero Sasana
24
2013 Carmelo González Buriram United 23
2014 Heberty Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 26
2015 Diogo Luís Santo Buriram United 33
2016 Cleiton Silva Muangthong United 27
2017 Dragan Bošković Bangkok United 38
2018 Diogo Luís Santo Buriram United 34
2019 Lonsana Doumbouya Trat 20
2020–21
Season Top scorer Club Goals
2021–22

Player of the Year

Season Player Club
1996–97 Amporn Amparnsuwan TOT
1997 Seksan Piturat Sinthana
1998 Niweat Siriwong Sinthana
2000 Anurak Srikerd BEC Tero Sasana
2001–02 Apichad Thaveechalermdit Bangkok Bank
2002–03 Cumpee Pintrakul Bangkok Bank
2003–04 Pichitphong Choeichiu Krung Thai Bank
2004–05 José Carlos da Silva Thailand Tobacco Monopoly
2006 Punnarat Klinsukon Bangkok University
2007 Pipob On-Mo Chonburi
2008 Narongchai Vachiraban Provincial Electricity Authority
2009 Jetsada Jitsawad (Defender)
Kittipol Paphunga (Midfielder)
Pipat Thonkanya (Striker)
Muangthong United
BEC Tero Sasana
Thai Port
2010 Datsakorn Thonglao Muangthong United
2011 Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool Chonburi
2012 Teerasil Dangda Muangthong United
2013 Theerathon Bunmathan Buriram United
2014 Suchao Nuchnum Buriram United
2015 Diogo Luís Santo Buriram United
2017 Jakkaphan Kaewprom Buriram United
2018 Diogo Luís Santo Buriram United
2019 Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul Chiangrai United
2020–21
Season Player Club
2021–22

Coach of the Year

Season Coach Club
1996–97 Witthaya Laohakul Bangkok Bank
1997 Piyapong Pue-on Royal Thai Air Force
1998 Karoon Narksawat Sinthana
1999 Piyapong Pue-on Royal Thai Air Force
2000 Pichai Pituwong BEC Tero Sasana
2001–02 Attaphol Buspakom BEC Tero Sasana
2002–03 Narong Suwannachot Krung Thai Bank
2003–04 Worrawoot Dangsamer Krung Thai Bank
2004–05 Jose Alves Borges Thailand Tobacco Monopoly
2006 Somchai Subpherm Bangkok University
2007 Jadet Meelarp Chonburi
2008 Prapol Pongpanich Provincial Electricity Authority
2009 Attaphol Buspakom Muangthong United
2010 René Desaeyere Muangthong United
2011 Chalermwoot Sa-ngapol Pattaya United
2012 Slaviša Jokanović Muangthong United
2013 Attaphol Buspakom Bangkok Glass
2014 Masahiro Wada Chonburi
2015 Alexandre Gama Buriram United
2017 Totchtawan Sripan Muangthong United
2018 Božidar Bandović Buriram United
2019 Ailton dos Santos Silva Chiangrai United
2020–21
Season Coach Club
2021–22

Competition format and sponsorship

Competition

There are 18 clubs in the Thai League. During the course of a season, which lasts from February to October, each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 34 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then head-to-head, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion. If points are equal, the head-to-head, the goal difference and then goals scored determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank. The three lowest placed teams are relegated into the Thai League 2 and the top three teams from the Thai League 2 are promoted in their place.

Qualification for Asian competitions

In the past the champions will play in AFC Champions League playoffs and AFC Cup for the champions of Thai FA Cup. Due to reforms from the AFC for the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup format, there will be no more a direct qualification spot for the AFC Champions League for that Thai Champion, for the time being.[12] From 2012 Thai clubs has 1 automatic spot to the group stage and 1 playoff spot for the Thai FA Cup Winners and 1 playoff spot for the thai league runner-up.

Ranking

As of 20 October 2018[13]

Extracted from the 2018 ranking of nations by their AFC Club Competitions Ranking[14]
Ranking Member Association Total Points FIFA Points Club Points 2018 2017 2016 2015
20182017MvmtPoints(10%)Points(90%)
13 +2 China95.9284315.92870.51790.000 15.45024.56714.75015.750
26 +4 Qatar94.0033394.66370.00089.340 15.60013.40022.00019.000
32 -1 South Korea86.0285207.15361.80078.875 14.3509.95020.75016.750
41 -3 United Arab Emirates85.2754055.57162.45079.7048.10011.35018.00025.000
57 +2 Iran78.98372710.00054.05068.983 13.60016.20013.00011.250
65 -1 Japan78.3525287.26355.70071.089 8.10021.85010.50015.250
74 -3 Saudi Arabia74.4454626.35553.35068.090 5.00018.6009.50015.250
810 +2 Thailand57.4032533.48042.25053.923 16.20015.0501.00010.000
98 -1 Australia53.9167009.62934.70044.287 7.3005.90014.0007.500
109 -1 Uzbekistan42.1903815.24128.95036.949 9.4005.0509.7504.750

Thai League All-Star Exhibition game

Sponsorship

The Thai League has been sponsored since 1996 until 2003 and has been sponsored again since 2010. The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they called the competition:

  • 1996–1997: Johnnie Walker (Johnnie Walker Thailand Soccer League)
  • 1998–2000: Caltex (Caltex Premier League)
  • 2001–2003: Advanced Info Service (GSM Thai League)
  • 2003–2005: None (Thai League)
  • 2006–2008: None (Thailand Premier League)
  • 2009: None (Thai Premier League)
  • 2010–2012: Sponsor (Sponsor Thai Premier League)
  • 2013–present: Toyota (Toyota Thai Premier League in 2013–2015, Toyota Thai League in 2016–present )

Match balls

The 2016–2020 season uses the Grand Sport while 2021–2028 season uses the Molten.[15]

Youth League

Like the reserve league, the youth league is open to all the youth teams of all professional clubs in Thailand.

Other tournaments

Domestic tournaments
International tournaments
Defunct tournaments

Ranking Asian

Asia Football / Soccer Clubs Ranking

As of 22 November 2020.[16]
Current Rank Points Team
171503Buriram United
291454Muangthong United
431422Bangkok United
501407BG Pathum United
601391Chiangrai United
621386Chonburi
661384Port
941346Ratchaburi Mitr Phol
1271316Suphanburi
1481298Samut Prakan

See also

References

  1. Thai Premier League 1996 summary Archived 30 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ACL Criteria for 2011
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) AFC Club License Criterea
  4. http://backpagefootball.com/are-bandovics-buriram-the-best-thai-league-side-ever/118100/
  5. http://www.buriramtimes.com/burirams-31-game-unbeaten-league-run-comes-to-an-end-at-chiang-rai/
  6. รีแบรนด์ไทยลีก : การปรับภาพลักษณ์ครั้งใหญ่ที่ฉีกทุกภาพจำของฟุตบอลไทยลีก
  7. OFFICIAL : ส.บอล รีแบรนด์ไทยลีกเผยโฉมโลโกใหม่-แบ่งเป็น 5 ลีก
  8. 'ตราสัญลักษณ์ไทยลีก' คว้ารางวัลออกแบบยอดเยี่ยมของญี่ปุ่น
  9. รายที่ 8! "อัสซัมเซา"จารึกประวัติศาสตร์ ยิงครบ 100 ประตูในไทยลีก
  10. "เผยโฉมถ้วยแชมป์ไทยลีก1–4,ช้างเอฟเอคัพใบใหม่".
  11. "OFFICIAL : จากช่างระดับโลก! ส.บอลเปิดตัว 5 ถ้วยแชมป์ไทยลีก,เอฟเอ คัพ".
  12. AFC PRO-LEAGUE AD-HOC COMMITTEE ASSESSMENT CHARTS
  13. "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". Asian Football Confederation.
  14. "AFC CLUB COMPETITIONS RANKING". the-afc.com.
  15. FA Thailand – The Association and Plan B announce the selection results for the soccer ball production licensee.
  16. "AFC Football / Soccer Clubs Ranking".
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