Thai League 1 is the top tournament of Thai football, attracting the attention of millions of fans across Asia. With fierce competition and exciting matches, this tournament has become a place for Thai football talents to flourish and is also a stepping stone for these players to shine on the international field.
What is Thai League 1 football tournament?
SEA Games 2019 experts commented that Thai League 1 (also known as Thai Premier League) is Thailand’s top professional football tournament. Established in 1996, this tournament has undergone many changes in name and competition format. Since 2017, the tournament has been known as Thai League 1 and has 16 participating clubs.
With the development of Thai football in recent years, Thai League 1 football tournament has become one of the leading tournaments in Southeast Asia. The clubs participating in this tournament are also considered to be highly competitive in international tournaments.
History of formation and development of Thai League 1 football tournament
Early period (1996-2007)
TOYOTA THAI LEAGUE was established in 1996 with the name Thailand Soccer League. Initially, the tournament had only 10 participating clubs and was held in a two-legged round-robin format. During this period, BEC Tero Sasana (currently named BG Pathum United) was the first team to win the championship.
Since 2002, the tournament was renamed Thai Premier League and the number of participating clubs was also expanded to 12 teams. In 2007, the tournament was officially renamed Hilux Revo Thai League and had 16 participating clubs.
Development period (2008-2016)
During this period, TOYOTA THAI LEAGUE football tournament became one of the leading tournaments in Southeast Asia. Thai clubs also began to feature foreign players, especially from neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
In 2013, the tournament was renamed Toyota Thai Premier League because Toyota car company became the main sponsor. During this period, Buriram United was the team with the most titles with 5 championships.
Current period (2017-present)
Since 2017, the tournament has been known as Hilux Revo Thai League and has the participation of 16 clubs. This tournament is also managed more professionally with support from the Football Federation of Thailand (FAT) and major sponsoring companies such as Toyota, Chang Beer and True Corporation.
In recent years, the Thai League 1 football tournament has attracted the attention of many world-famous football stars such as Mario Götze, Fernando Torres and David Beckham. This shows that the appeal of this tournament has gone beyond Thailand’s borders and become an international playground.
Thai League 1 football tournament format
Thai League 1 football tournament is held in a round-robin format with two rounds of first and second legs. In total, each club will have to play 30 matches during the season. Scores are calculated based on a system of 3 points for each win, 1 point for each draw and no points for each loss.
If two or more clubs have the same number of points at the end of the season, the ranking will be determined based on the following criteria:
- Goal difference
- Number of goals scored
- Confrontation results
- Number of red and yellow cards
- The club’s position in the Fair Play rankings
If the clubs’ positions still cannot be determined, a play-off will be held to decide the final position.
Thai League 1 football tournament schedule for the 2022-2023 season
The 2022-2023 season of the Thai League 1 football tournament is expected to take place from February 2022 to October 2023. Below is the detailed match schedule of this tournament:
Latest rankings of Thai League 1 football tournament
elow is the latest rankings of the Thai League 1 football tournament after the 20th round:
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Top clubs in Thai League 1 football tournament
Currently, there are many clubs that are considered the top teams in the Thai League 1 football tournament. Below are the clubs that are performing well and are considered strong candidates for the championship. :
BG Pathum United
- BG Pathum United is one of the most successful clubs in Thai League 1 football tournament in recent years. This team won the Thai League 1 championship twice in a row in 2020 and 2021. In addition, BG Pathum United is also the only team in Thailand to win the treble (championship, national cup and Super Cup) in one season.
Buriram United
- Buriram United is one of the clubs with a long history and impressive achievements in the Thai League 1 football tournament. This team has won the Thai League 1 championship 6 times and is also the only team to ever win. treble at this tournament in 2015. In addition, Buriram United is also the only Thai team to ever participate in the AFC Champions League.
Port FC
- Port FC (formerly known as Port Authority of Thailand) is one of the clubs with the longest history in the Thai League 1 football tournament. This team has won the Thai League 1 championship twice. times in 2009 and 2010. In addition, Port FC is also the team with the largest number of fans in Thailand.
Famous players of Thai League 1 football tournament
Thai League 1 is not only a place for famous young Thai players to shine, but also a destination for many international football stars. Below are famous players who have played in this tournament:
Chanathip Songkrasin
- Chanathip Songkrasin (also known as “Thailand’s Messi”) is one of the most famous players in Thai football today. He played for Consadole Sapporo club in Japan before returning to Thailand and joining Port FC. With his skillful technique and assistive ability, Chanathip helped Port FC win the Hilux Revo Thai League championship in 2019.
Teerasil Dangda
- Teerasil Dangda is one of the players with the largest fan base in Thailand. He played for famous clubs such as Muangthong United and Buriram United before going to Japan to play for Shimizu S-Pulse club. With his scoring ability and skillful technique, Teerasil helped Buriram United win the Thai League championship 1 to 4 times.
Mario Götze
- Mario Götze is one of the most famous players to ever play in the Thai League 1 football tournament. He won the treble with Bayern Munich and also scored the decisive goal to help Germany win the 2014 World Cup. After leaving Bayern Munich, Mario Götze moved to Thailand and played for Buriram United club in the 2020 season.
Achievements of Thai football teams at international tournaments
Thai football teams have had remarkable achievements in international tournaments, especially in Southeast Asia. Below are the most notable achievements of Thai football teams at international tournaments:
Participate in the AFC Champions League
- Buriram United is the only Thai team to have ever participated in the AFC Champions League. They achieved their best result in 2013 when they reached the group stage and finished third in the group.
Won the AFF Suzuki Cup championship
- The Thai men’s soccer team has won the AFF Suzuki Cup (Southeast Asian soccer tournament) 5 times in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2014 and 2016.
Attend the Asian Cup
- The Thai men’s football team has participated in the Asian Cup (Asian football tournament) 6 times and achieved its best result in 1972 when it reached the quarter-finals.
Awards and titles of Thai League 1 football tournament
Thai League 1 is not only a place for clubs to compete, but also a place for players to have the opportunity to win individual awards and titles. Below are the important awards and titles of this tournament:
Thai League Golden Ball 1
- The Hilux Revo Thai League Golden Ball is an award given to the player who scores the most goals in a season. Currently, player Teerasil Dangda of Buriram United club is the person who has won the most times with 4 times.
Thai League 1 Silver Ball
- The Thai League 1 Silver Ball is an award for the player with the most assists in a season. Currently, Port FC player Chanathip Songkrasin is the person who has won the most times with 3 times.
Thai League 1 bronze ball
- The Thai League 1 bronze ball is an award for the player who is voted the best player in a season. Currently, player Teerasil Dangda of Buriram United club and player Chanathip Songkrasin of Port FC club have won this award once.
Conclude
Since its establishment in 1996, Thai League 1 has become the top tournament of Thai football. With an impressive history of formation and development, professional competition format and the presence of top clubs, this tournament has attracted the attention of a large number of football fans as well as football fans. Famous players at home and abroad. Hopefully through this article, you will have more information about the Thai League 1 football tournament and the famous clubs and players of this tournament.