Regarding Opportunities for Thai Footballers!! The final round of the knockout football tournament, the Chang FA Cup, marks the last competition of the season.
It concluded with the success of the “Thunder Castle” champions, Buriram United, who clinched three trophies to achieve another "treble championship"—a dominant feat once again.
After a hard-fought battle, they narrowly defeated the finalist, PT Prachuap FC, coached by “Coach Tia” Sasom Pobprasert, who played with 10 men, with a 1-0 victory in extra time.
As a result, two other clubs also benefited: Ratchaburi FC advanced to compete in the premier Asian tournament, the AFC Champions League Elite.
Meanwhile, “The Rabbits,” BG Pathum United, secured a ticket to the secondary Asian tournament, the AFC Champions League 2, for the next season.
Although the Thai League football season and the two major cup competitions have already concluded this year,
there is still value in extracting lessons and analyzing various aspects—both positive and negative—for reflection and critique.
Together with Professor Ratpong Boonyanuwat, Director of the Human Capital Development Innovation Center at Kasem Bundit University, I share the following thoughts.
On the positive side, examining recent valuations from Transfermarkt.com reveals that at the end of the 2025-26 season, Thai League ranks 12th in Asia and second in ASEAN in terms of market value.
The total estimated value amounts to approximately 86.48 million euros, or about 3.281 billion baht, an increase of 9.64 million euros from before.
This calculation reflects that the Thai League is rising to become one of Asia’s leading professional football competitions.
However, as the league grows more interesting and valuable, the competition among clubs for prestige and benefits—including rights and income—will intensify as they seek success.
Notably, the contest for players to showcase their skills under a prize pool of 10 million baht in the 2026/27 season will require clubs to remain committed and invest diverse resources as before.
Clubs with deeper financial reserves and liquidity will have better chances to compete and win trophies over less well-funded teams.
Comparing well-funded teams to those with moderate budgets is like pitting a ten-wheeler truck against a tuk-tuk or a motorized tricycle.
For the upcoming Thai League 1 season, the Football Association and Thai League Company will adjust their approach, especially changing the foreign player quota as agreed in the January meeting with Thai League 1 member clubs.
The approved change concerns foreign players for the 2026/27 season.
Twelve Thai League 1 clubs agreed to alter the foreign player registration from the 2025/26 rules, which allowed registering up to 7 foreign players (including Asian nationals) plus unlimited ASEAN players, with a maximum of 5 foreign players and 2 ASEAN players allowed on the field.
The new rule permits registering up to 10 foreign players of any nationality and allows up to 7 foreign players to play on the field.
This shift will delight top clubs aiming to win every tournament, as the change aligns perfectly with their goals.
From the perspective of entertainment and match intensity, loyal Thai League fans will surely benefit, enjoying more displays from foreign players, especially on their favorite teams.
Conversely, when comparing Thai players’ chances to demonstrate their abilities against expensive foreign signings, it is clear that unless Thai players are outstanding and catch the coaches’ eyes, their opportunities to break through will be limited.
This adjustment in rules and directions, approved by the majority of member clubs, has clear implications for opportunities available to Thai football talent.
Another consequence is the impact on the development and enhancement of the “War Elephants,” Thailand’s national team, as they compete in various tournaments.
Today, as Thai League—the country’s premier professional football competition—reaches a crossroads, those involved, especially the association president as the lead figure and the Thai League executive board,
must study, analyze, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully.
When the effects on Thai players and the national team become tangible and significant,
we hope the pursuit of better opportunities for Thai youth and the national team will be a priority for the association under the leadership of President Nualphan Lamsam.
Adjustments should be considered and made to better suit the current situation.
- Bee Bangpakong -
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