Football in Thailand

Football in Thailand is organized by the Football Association of Thailand, short ( FAT). Currently, the football in Thailand consists of separate leagues. The Thailand Provincial League, which is an amateur league, organized by Sports Authority of Thailand, short ( SAT), and the Thailand Premier League or even Thai League organized by the FAT. The latter is a semi-professional football league consisting of the Thailand Premier League, Division 1 Thailand and the Thailand Division 2 League.

Football is the most popular sport in Thailand. Although professional football is very new in Thailand, the football was introduced in itself but as early as 1897 in Thailand.

In Thailand you can very many football games on live television, the English Premier League has the most fans and spectators. But the German Bundesliga and the DFB Cup can be followed on television here. Each game of the soccer World Cup in 2006 was televised.

2007 Thailand next to Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia hosted the Asian Cup. It was the second time after 1972 that Thailand has hosted the Asia Cup.

The average attendance in the Thailand Premier League is very low. This is justified on the one hand so that the English Premier League is the towering football league in Thailand, and on the other, that most clubs in the Thailand Premier League clubs by public or private institutions in Bangkok and thus do not represent a city or region.

History

Football was introduced in 1897 in Thailand. 1916 founded by King Vajiravudh "The Football Association of Thailand " or full name "The Football Association of Thailand under the patronage of His Majesty the King" ( in German: The Football Association of Thailand under the patronage of His Majesty the King ) (Rama VI ).. Under the auspices of the Association stands today.

The Thai Football Association joined FIFA in 1925 and 1957, the AFC.

The Thai national football team took time in 1956 at the Olympic games.

The first football stadium was built in 1935. It was the Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok.

1968, the so-called King's Cup was held for the first time. The King's Cup is a competition at the international level, held in Thailand. In 1970, the first time the Queen's Cup was held, the national cup competition. Which, however, current data According until further no longer to be discharged.

Leagues and competitions

There are currently two national leagues systems in Thailand:

  • The Thai League of the Football Association of Thailand - the semi- professional league consisting of 16 teams. Most of the teams belong to Thai authorities, the military, or large private companies. In a few cases they represent a city or region, such as Chonburi FC. There are a total of six leagues, including the Thailand Premier League, Division 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
  • The Thailand Provincial League of the Sports Authority of Thailand - consists of 18 amateur teams from different provinces of Thailand.
  • King's Cup - a football tournament held annually for teams fought in Thailand.
  • Queen's Cup - one taking place annually national cup competition.

Current league system

League system in 2006

Despite two separate leagues systems in Thailand may only be the winner and runner-up of the Thai league, which is organized by the Football Association of Thailand, to participate in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.

As of 2005, the Teacher and the runner-up of the Pro League in the Thai League were allowed to play. The proposed merger between Thai League and Pro League to a single league, also supported by the Football Association of Thailand, failed despite several attempts. 2007 ultimately (FAT ) announced that the Pro League League is a part of the Thai, but continue to operate under the umbrella of the Sports Authority of Thailand ( SAT).

The Thai league system in 2007 as below list:

Player

Other competitions

  • The Chula - Thammasat football match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University are held annually. There will always be held in January in Suphachalasai Stadium. The first time this game took place in 1934.
  • The Jaturamitr - Samakkee football tournament takes place every two years between the four oldest high schools in Thailand, the Suankularb - Wittayalai School, Thepsirin School, Assumption College and Bangkok Christian College. This tournament was first held in 1964.

Youth Football

Youth football is very popular in Thailand and there are various competitions and many active clubs. The Bangkok Soccer League is a specially organized for youth teams league. Especially for children who attend international schools in Bangkok. Regularly take part in it about 500 children, both children of Thais and expats. Currently, many considerations are made on how to improve youth football to reach international standard. So there is a request to bring the Thai youth football in the Thai Premier clubs. Here then are trainers work with relevant football coach licenses. This league has improved enormously in 2009 compared to previous years.

Thai Division 1 League Asian Football Confederation Piyapong Pue-on
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