Structure of Thai Football

Thailand is starting to bring a bit of structure to its League system:



Currently the structure is the following:



Level 1: Thailand Premier League

Level 2: Thailand Division One

Level 3: Thailand Division Two

Level 4: Thailand Pro League





In the past, the Pro League which currently sits at level four, played at Level one.



The reason behind this was that the league was set up by the governement, but as FIFA an all, don't like goverenment run leagues, this league had no where to go, no promotion, no relegation.



Hell, the winners of the Pro League at one stage, knew there was no further to go, so they joined the TPL (Thai Premier League). This team was current TPL Champions Chonburi.



The Pro League, in general, looked good on paper, this competition was for everyone, the whole country took part.



But it had no direction, the winners, simply had no where to play, no continental action which Chonburi wanted so much and this year have got.



The Pro league had no where to go, but 6 foot under, so they took the decision and formed up with FAT - the head of Thai football and now start right at the bottom of the pile, but now have an aim, promotion to the next step.



The TPL is the very top level and a route into Asia, it is very Bangkok based, but when you have a main city with about 9 million registered people and possibly even 15 million if you add the non-governement voters then you have a hell of a catchment area.





Stay tuned and the following weeks, i'll bring a run down of who plays in what division

TPL - Matchday 7

Thailand Premier League Matchday 7 – 02/04/08 (Midweek)

Fixtures:

1. Osotspa M-150 – TOT
2. BEC Tero Sasana – Samut Songkhram
3. Krung Thai Bank – Port Authority
4. Royal Thai Army – Bangkok University
5. Nakhon Pathom – Customs Department
6. PEA – Bangkok Bank
7. Coke Bangpra – Chula Sinthana
8. Tobacco Monopoly - Chonburi

Matchday 7 notes:

1. TOT Undefeated play against Osotspa who haven’t conceded in last two games.

2. BEC scored most in league with 9

3. Port Authority conceded most in league with 9, KTB in bottom 3.

4. Army looking for first win, 5 points adrift from everyone although played a lot less games

5.Customs Department not conceded in last 2 games, Nakon play much better at home

6.Bangkok Bank kept 3 clean sheets in 4 games, still undefeated.

7. Both Coke and Chula are slowly adjusting to the season, at this stage, both teams would be happy with a win to create a bit of space between themselves

8. Tobacco won first 3 games of season, then failed to claim a victory in the next 3. Chonburi have 2 out of 2 wins away from home, play much better away from home.

Return of Thai Football!!

Been a while since i last updated, send most of my documents to www.bigsoccer.com/forum
But i'll try and keep everyone updated on the domestic scene of Thailand football.

Matchday 6 Results:

Thailand Premier League - Matchday 6 (29-03-08)

Results:
Bangkok Bank 0 - 0 Tobacco Monopoly
Chonburi 1 -1 Krung Thai Bank
Port Authority 1 - 0 Royal Thai Army
BEC Tero Sasana 3 - 1 Nakhon Pathom
Customs Department 1 - 0 Coke Bangpra
Chula-Sinthana 0 - 1 Osotspa M-150
TOT FC 2 - 0 Provincal Electricity Authority
Samut Songkham 0 - 2 Bangkok University

Thailand take on Hyde Utd

Thailand are set to take on English Conference North outfit Hdye United on the 21st January according t oreports in teh English paper the Daily Mirror.

Should be a good work out as Hyde players will be eager to take on a national team

Thai Latest Preparation

bangkokpost.com

Thailand began their training for World Cup qualification yesterday and officials are confident the kingdom will get a point in their opener against Japan in Tokyo next month. The team started their preparations at Rajamangala National Stadium and will fly to England later this week to train with Manchester City for two weeks.

The trip is sponsored by Thaicom Foundation, which is owned by Thaksin Shinawatra.
Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), said the training will help the national side prepare for the group phrase of Asia's qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

Thailand are grouped with Japan, Oman and Bahrain with the top two teams in each of the five groups advancing to Asia's final qualifying stage.

The Thais will begin their campaign against Japan in Tokyo on February 6 and Worawi believes his men are good enough to return home with a point.

''We hope the training in Manchester will be useful,'' he said. ''Playing Japan first is tough so we must be well-prepared.''
Thailand coach Chanvit Phalajivin said training in England would give his players the chance to see what professional players do.

Also, Worawi said Suree Sukha, Teerasil Dangda and Kiatprawut Saiwaew's contracts at Man City began on January 1.
Only Suree could get a work permit while the other two are likely be loaned to Swiss clubs, he said.

Thailand to play English teams

TOR CHITTINAND - bangkokpost.com

Thailand will play two warm-up matches against a Championship side and a League One team during their training in Manchester, Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawi Makudi said yesterday.

The two-week training at Manchester City is part of Thailand's preparations for the World Cup qualification.

Worawi said the Thai team would fly to England next Friday or Saturday depending on the availability of air tickets. City coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will supervise the training and the club will provide everything Thailand need during their stay, Worawi said.

City doctors will help look after injured Thais such as Kiatprawut Saiwaew, Suree Sukha and Tawan Sripan. Kiatprawut and Suree are on City's books. The Thais will have two warm-up games against a Champioship team and a League One side who are yet to be named.

Thailand are grouped with Japan, Oman and Bahrain in Asia's last 20 teams of qualification for the 2010 World Cup. Thailand will begin their campaign against Japan in Tokyo on January 6.
The top two teams in each of the five group advancing to the final qualifying stage. Four teams will represent Asian in South Africa and a fifth side will take on Oceania champions in a play-off for another slot.

Confirmed clubs for 2008 Thai Premier League

Port Authority
Chonburi FC
Krung Thai
Bangkok University
Prov Electricity
Royal Thai Army
BEC Tero Sasana
Customs Department
Coke-Bangpra Chonburi
TOT FC
Nakhon Pathom
Samut Songkhram
Chula-Sinthana
Bangkok Bank
Tobacco Monopoly
Osotsapa M-150