# Football in Thailand

Football is the most popular sport in Thailand. Although the professional football leagues are new to Thai people, football was introduced to Thailand as far back as 1897. Many Thais also watch football on local and paid-cable TV. Many matches, especially those in the English FA Premier League can be watched free on local channels. Thai channels broadcast every match of the 2006 World Cup.
Football in Thailand is organised by Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
In 2007, Thailand co-hosted the Asian Cup 2007 with three other countries. This was the second time the event had been held in Thailand, the first being in 1972.
The most popular football clubs in Thailand are Premier League clubs Liverpool and Manchester United and Thai League 1 club Buriram United.

## History

Football was introduced into Thailand in 1897 by the Siamese-English Students. After that Football was popular in the Royal students and the Armies. First Association football matches in Thailand was held in 1900 by the English people in Siam between Bangkok Team against Ministry of Education Team. The result is 2-2. In 1901 student association football tournament by Ministry of Education has established.
In 1915, first official association football club tournament in Siam was officially founded. It's call "The Royal Golden Trophy". Later this tournament becomes to Kor Royal Cup. Later the first national team match has begun. The match between Siam National Team and Royal Sports Club by the English Players. The winner are the Siamese Footballer by 2-1
In 1916, King Vajiravudh founded "The Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King."
The first Siamese match against National Team as long as can be founded by historical evidence was in 1930, between Siam and French Indochinese Union Team with the state visit of King Prajadhipok. The result is the big win for the Siamese for 4-0.
After the 1932 Revolution. The Royal Golden Trophy has been stopped by the Political reason as Khana Ratsadon is anti-imperialism ideology political group, the tournament replaced by The DPE Students Cup (DPE - Department of Physical Education) after 1934.
After that the association joined the FIFA in 1925 and AFC in 1957.
Thailand national football team joined Olympic Games first time in Australia in 1956.
The first football stadium, Suphachalasai Stadium, was built in 1935. King's Cup, the first football cup was introduced in 1968. And then two years later, Queen's Cup, a national cup competition, started in 1970.

## Thai football competitions
### Leagues and tournaments

League competitions in Thailand include :
* Thai League 1
* Thai League 2
* Thai League 3
* Thailand Semi-Pro League
* Thailand Amateur League
(See also: Thai football league system for the additional detail about league system.)

### Domestic Cup competitions

* Thai FA Cup - an annual tournament of football clubs in Thailand.
* Thai League Cup - an annual tournament of football clubs in Thailand.
* Thai League 3 Cup - an annual tournament for third tier football clubs in Thailand.
* Champions Cup - an annual match between the champions of the Thai League 1 and the champions of the Thai FA Cup

### International Cup competitions

* King's Cup - an annual international football competition for national teams.
* Queen's Cup - an annual international football cup competition for football club teams.

### Other competitions

* Chula-Thammasat Traditional Football Match, an annual match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University on January at Suphachalasai Stadium. It first started in 1934.
* Jaturamitr Samakkee a bi-annual competition of four oldest high schools in Thailand (Suankularb Wittayalai School, Debsirin School, Assumption College, and Bangkok Christian College). It first started 1964.

## Youth football

Youth football is very popular in Thailand, with several competitions and clubs being active. Bangkok Youth League provides the top level of youth football in Bangkok with a membership that includes teams from Thai Premiership Academies, such as BEC Tero and Chonburi Sharks, as well as local and International Academies such as iPlay Soccer Schools. It provides a structured, competitive environment for over 1000 players aged 6–16 years. Bangkok Soccer League is a youth football club organised for children attending international schools in Thailand and provides regular football for over 500 kids, both Thai and expat. 555
* Thailand Youth League
* Thailand University League
* U-19 Thailand Championship
* Thai U23 League

## Support

A 2022 telephone poll conducted for The Nation found that 31.16% of respondents watched the English Premier League (17.33% of whom described themselves as hardcore fans) and 29.60% watched the Thai League 1 (9.59% of whom described themselves as hardcore fans). A 2023 poll conducted by the NIDA Poll Research Centre found that 61.52% of respondents followed the Premier League and 53.80% followed the Thai League 1.

### Most popular clubs

Polling consistently shows that Buriram United is by far the most supported club in the Thai League 1. Polling also consistently shows that Liverpool and Manchester United are by far the most supported Premier League clubs in Thailand.
Compared to other countries outside the United Kingdom, Leicester City has a notable following in Thailand due to the fact that it is owned by Thai businessman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. However, it is still not one of the most popular clubs in Thailand.

#### English Premier League

NIDA Poll Research Centre (2023) :
| Club | % |
| Arsenal | 5.27% |
| Chelsea | 7.09% |
| Liverpool | 31.79% |
| Manchester City | 5.72% |
| Manchester United | 34.59% |
| Other | 1.37% |
| None | 14.17% |
The Nation (2022) :
| Club | % |
| Arsenal | 3.85% |
| Chelsea | 9.37% |
| Leicester City | 2.82% |
| Liverpool | 31.32% |
| Manchester City | 2.95% |
| Manchester United | 30.42% |

#### Thai League 1

NIDA Poll Research Centre (2023) :
| Club | % |
| BG Pathum United | 4.46% |
| Buriram United | 36.13% |
| Chiangrai United | 2.97% |
| Chonburi | 3.79% |
| Khon Kaen United | 2.01% |
| Muangthong United | 11.67% |
| Port | 12.49% |
| Sukhothai | 1.41% |
| Other | 3.88% |
| None | 21.19% |
The Nation (2022) :
| Club | % |
| BG Pathum United | 2.97% |
| Buriram United | 32.43% |
| Chonburi | 4.73% |
| Muangthong United | 11.49% |
| Port | 6.49% |

## Thai notable players

* Bamrung Boonprom
* Chanathip Songkrasin ("Jay")
* Choketawee Promrut ("Choke")
* Datsakorn Thonglao ("Go")
* Kawin Thamsatchanan ("Tong")
* Kiatisuk Senamuang ("Zico")
* Kroekrit Thaweekarn ("Kong")
* Narubadin Weerawatnodom ("Ton")
* Piyapong Pue-on ("Took")
* Sarach Yooyen ("Tang")
* Sarayuth Chaikamdee ("Joe 5 yards")
* Seksan Piturat ("James")
* Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool ("Tee")
* Surat Sukha
* Suree Sukha
* Sutee Suksomkit
* Tanaboon Kesarat ("Tum")
* Totchtawan Sripan ("Ban")
* Teerasil Dangda ("Mui")
* Teeratep Winothai ("Leesaw")
* Theerathon Bunmathan ("Aum")
* Therdsak Chaiman ("Uncle Therd")
* Dusit Chalermsan ("Ong")
* Natipong Sritong-In ("Alfred")
* Natee Thongsookkaew
* Witthaya Hloagune ("Oji") previously ("Heng")