Thai Premier League

Thai League
Country Thailand Thailand
Confederation AFC
Founded 1996 (1996)
Number of teams 18
Level on pyramid 1
Relegation to Thai Division 1 League
Domestic cup(s) Thai FA Cup
Thai League Cup
Kor Royal Cup
International cup(s) AFC Champions League
Mekong Club Championship
Current champions Buriram United (5th title)
(2015)
Most championships Buriram United (5 titles)
TV partners True Visions
Website http://www.thaileague.co.th
2016 season

The Thai League (Thai: ไทยลีก) is a Thai professional league for Football Association of Thailand clubs. At the top of the Thai football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Thai Division 1 League. The Thai League is a corporation in which the 18 member clubs act as shareholders. Seasons run from March to October, with teams playing 34 games each totaling 306 games in the season. 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 during the weekdays.

History

Before the inception of Thai League, the highest level of club football was the Kor Royal Cup (Thai: ถ้วย ก.) which was contested in a tournament format from 1916 to 1995. Thai League was introduced in 1996 by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), with 18 clubs who earlier competed for the Kor Royal Cup, in a double round robin league system.[1]

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, three bottom placed clubs are relegated to the Thai Division 1 League.

And also in 2007, Thai Premier League was combined with Provincial League completely. Chonburi was the first club from Provincial League that was the champion of Thai League in 2007 season.

Official Logo History

Champions

Titles by season

1996–2015

# 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 Authority
5 2000 BEC Tero Sasana Royal Thai Air Force
6 2001–02 BEC Tero Sasana Osotspa M-150
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 Osotspa M-150
11 2007 Chonburi Krung Thai Bank
12 2008 PEA Chonburi
13 2009 Muangthong United Chonburi
14 2010 Muangthong United Buriram PEA
15 2011 Buriram PEA Chonburi
16 2012 Muangthong United Chonburi
17 2013 Buriram United Muangthong United
18 2014 Buriram United Chonburi
19 2015 Buriram United Muangthong United

Titles by club

Club Champions Runners-Up Winning Seasons Runners-Up Seasons
Buriram United
5
2
2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 2004–05, 2010
Muangthong United
3
2
2009, 2010, 2012 2013, 2015
BEC Tero Sasana
2
2
2000, 2001–02 2002–03, 2003–04
Air Force Central
2
2
1997, 1999 1998, 2000
Krung Thai Bank
2
1
2002–03, 2003–04 2007
Chonburi
1
5
2007 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
BBCU
1
1
1998 1997
Bangkok Bank
1
0
1996–97
Tobacco Monopoly
1
0
2004–05
Bangkok United
1
0
2006
Osotspa Samut Prakan
0
2
2001–02, 2006
Stock Exchange of Thailand
0
1
1996–97
Port F.C.
0
1
1999

Clubs

TOT and Port were relegated to the 2016 Thai Division 1 League after finishing the 2015 season in the bottom three places.

They were replaced by Pattaya United, Sukhothai and BBCU.

Stadiums and Location

Team Province Stadium Capacity
Army United Bangkok Thai Army Sports Stadium 20,000
Bangkok Glass Pathumthani Leo Stadium 13,000
Bangkok United Pathumthani Thammasat Stadium 25,000
BBCU Nonthaburi Nonthaburi Youth Centre Stadium 6,000
BEC Tero Sasana Bangkok 72-years Anniversary Stadium 10,000
Buriram United Buriram New I-Mobile Stadium 32,600
Chainat Hornbill Chainat Chainat Stadium 12,000
Chiangrai United Chiangrai United Stadium of Chiangrai 15,000
Chonburi Chonburi Chonburi Stadium 8,500
Muangthong United Nonthaburi SCG Stadium 15,000
Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Ratchasima 80th Birthday Stadium 28,000
Navy Chonburi Sattahip Navy Stadium 12,500
Osotspa Samut Prakan Samut Prakan M-Power Stadium 3,500
Pattaya United Chonburi Dolphins Stadium 5,000
Ratchaburi Ratchaburi Ratchaburi Stadium 10,000
Sisaket Sisaket Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium 10,000
Sukhothai Sukhothai Thung Thalay Luang Stadium 8,000
Suphanburi Suphanburi Suphanburi Municipality Stadium 25,000
Football clubs in Greater Bangkok

Stadiums (2016)

Army United Bangkok Glass Bangkok United BBCU BEC Tero Sasana Buriram United
Thai Army Sports Stadium Leo Stadium Thammasat Stadium Nonthaburi Youth Centre Stadium 72-years Anniversary Stadium New I-Mobile Stadium
Capacity: 20,000 Capacity: 13,000 Capacity: 20,000 Capacity: 6,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 32,600
Chainat Hornbill Chiangrai United Chonburi Muangthong United Nakhon Ratchasima Navy
Chainat Stadium United Stadium Chonburi Stadium SCG Stadium 80th Birthday Stadium Sattahip Navy Stadium
Capacity: 12,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 8,680 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 28,141 Capacity: 12,500
Osotspa Samut Prakan Pattaya United Ratchaburi Sisaket Sukhothai Suphanburi
M Power Stadium Nong Prue Stadium Ratchaburi Stadium Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium Thung Thalay Luang Stadium Suphanburi Municipality Stadium
Capacity: 3,500 Capacity: 6,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 8,000 Capacity: 25,000

Records

All-time top scorers

Rank Player Period Goals Apps
1 Thailand Sarayuth Chaikamdee 2001–2004, 2007–2012, 2013–2014 101 233
2 Brazil Cleiton Silva 2010–2014, 2015– 93 149
3 Thailand Teerasil Dangda 2009–2014, 2015– 88 189
4 Thailand Anon Sangsanoi 2006– 83 201
5 Thailand Teeratep Winothai 2006–2008, 2009–2014, 2016– 62 197
6 Thailand Worrawoot Srimaka 1996–2004, 2007–2009 59 156
7 East Timor Heberty Fernandes 2014– 52 76
8 Spain Carmelo González 2013– 40 69
9 Brazil Leandro Assumpção 2011– 34 82

Most appearances

Rank Player Apps Goals
1 Thailand Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool 322 0
2 Thailand Sarayuth Chaikamdee 233 101
3 Thailand Datsakorn Thonglao 239 40
4 Thailand Anon Sangsanoi 201 83
5 Thailand Teeratep Winothai 197 62
6 Thailand Kawin Thamsatchanan 190 0
7 Thailand Teerasil Dangda 189 88
8 Thailand Theeraton Bunmathan 188 15
9 Thailand Worrawoot Srimaka 156 59
10 Brazil Cleiton Silva 149 93

Awards

Trophy

  • 2011 – 2015 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 of 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.
  • 2016 – current Trophy After Somyot Poompanmoung won the election and became the president of Football Association in February of 2016, the new Association decided to promote Kor Royal Cup trophy from the Super Cup to be the reward of Thai League. Kor Royal Cup has returned to the top level trophy again since it was the highest level of club football competition which competed in the tournament in Thailand from 1916–1995.

Top scorers

Season Top scorer Club Goals
2015 Brazil Diogo Luís Santo Buriram United 33
2014 East Timor Heberty Fernandes Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 26
2013 Spain Carmelo González Buriram United 23
2012 Thailand Teerasil Dangda
Brazil Cleiton Silva
Muangthong United
BEC Tero Sasana
24
2011 Cameroon Frank Ohandza Buriram PEA 19
2010 Cameroon Kengne Ludovick Pattaya United 17
2009 Thailand Anon Sangsanoi BEC Tero Sasana 18
2008 Thailand Anon Sangsanoi BEC Tero Sasana 20
2007 Brazil Ney Fabiano de Oliveira Thailand Tobacco Monopoly 18
2006 Thailand Pipat Thonkanya BEC Tero Sasana 12
2004–05 Thailand Supakit Jinajai
Thailand Sarayoot Chaikamdee
Provincial Electricity Authority
Port Authority of Thailand
10
2003–04 Thailand Vimol Jankam Osotsapa 14
2002–03 Thailand Sarayoot Chaikamdee Port Authority of Thailand 12
2001–02 Thailand Worrawoot Srimaka
Thailand Pitipong Kuldilok
BEC Tero Sasana
Port Authority of Thailand
12
2000 Thailand Sutee Suksomkit Thai Farmer Bank 16
1999 Thailand Sutee Suksomkit Thai Farmer Bank 13
1998 Thailand Ronnachai Sayomchai Port Authority of Thailand 23
1997 Thailand Worrawoot Srimaka BEC Tero Sasana 17
1996–97 Thailand Amporn Amparnsuwan TOT 21

Coach of The Year

Season Coach Club
2015 Brazil Alexandre Gama Buriram United
2014 Japan Masahiro Wada Chonburi
2013 Thailand Attaphol Buspakom Bangkok Glass
2012 Serbia Slaviša Jokanović Muangthong United
2011 Thailand Chalermwoot Sa-ngapol Pattaya United
2010 Belgium René Desaeyere Muangthong United
2009 Thailand Attaphol Buspakom Muangthong United
2008 Thailand Prapol Pongpanich Provincial Electricity Authority
2007 Thailand Jadet Meelarp Chonburi
2006 Thailand Somchai Subpherm Bangkok University
2004–05 Brazil José Alves Borges Thailand Tobacco Monopoly
2003–04 Thailand Worrawoot Dangsamer Krung Thai Bank
2002–03 Thailand Narong Suwannachot Krung Thai Bank
2001–02 Thailand Attaphol Buspakom BEC Tero Sasana
2000 Thailand Pichai Pituwong BEC Tero Sasana
1999 Thailand Piyapong Piew-on Royal Thai Air Force
1998 Thailand Karoon Narksawat Sinthana
1997 Thailand Piyapong Piew-on Royal Thai Air Force
1996–97 Thailand Withaya Laohakul Bangkok Bank

Player of The Year

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

Competition format and sponsorship

Competition

There are 18 clubs in the Thai League. During the course of a season, which lasts from March 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 Division 1 League and the top three teams from the Division 1 League are promoted in their place.

Qualification for Asian competitions

In the past The Champion will play in AFC Champions League Playoffs and AFC Cup for the Champion 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 the Thai Champion, for the time being.[2] From 2012 Thai clubs has 1 automatic spot to the group stage and 1 playoff spot for the Thai FA Cup Winners.

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– )

Prize money

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

Match balls

The 2013 season uses the Grand Sport.

Former Thai League teams

Youth League

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

# Year U-15 D1 U-15 D2 U-13 D1 U-13 D2
1 2015–16 Assumption United Cha Choeng Sao Assumption United Suphanburi

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Football in Thailand.

Template:Sports leagues of Thailand

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, May 07, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.