30 Years of Thailand's Professional Football League
Thailand's professional football league, the "Thai League 2026/27 season," is about to kick off the new season.
From the very first Thailand League founded in 1996, it has swiftly reached its 30th full year today.
The league has gradually developed from a semi-amateur competition into a fully professional league today.
This season comes with the concept "New Era Thai League – RAISING THE GAME," aiming to elevate the game, standards, and Thai football together.
“Madam Pang” Nualphan Lamsam, head of Thai football, held a grand press conference for the league launch last Friday at Siam Paragon.
Over the past three decades, I have been a reporter, starting with a portable typewriter by the sidelines in the early days, then switching to a laptop.
And now, I can quickly send news using a tiny mobile phone.
Everything has evolved with the times and our increasing age every day.
So I understand well what “President Pang” conveyed on stage at the launch event:
Before reaching today, the Thai League went through many struggles—no fans, no live broadcasts, and no sponsors.
From then until now, the Thai League has grown strong, stable, and become a fully professional football league.
Pang wants to emphasize the Thai League’s growth so everyone can take pride together once again.
Currently, the Thai League is the most valuable league in ASEAN.
It holds a coefficient ranking by the AFC at 7th place in Asia.
It ranks 3rd in East Asia, behind only Japan and South Korea.
It also stands at 47th worldwide, according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.
Importantly, this season the Thai League has earned the most slots ever for Asian club competitions, with four teams qualifying.
The ACL Elite group includes Buriram United, Port FC, and Ratchaburi FC.
Plus, BG Pathum United qualifies for the ACL Two group.
Not only has quality risen each year, but the Thai League’s popularity continues to grow steadily.
This is evident from the increasing fan attendance in the 2025/26 season across all professional leagues.
Starting with Thai League 1, total attendance reached 1.2 million, up 8%.
Thai League 2 attracted 500,000 fans, an increase of 9%.
Thai League 3 saw 400,000 fans, growing by 5%.
Meanwhile, major broadcast rights holders, including AIS, GULF, and JAS, have secured contracts through the 2028/29 season.
The deal is valued at 500 million baht per year, with options to extend for another two years.
For the 2026/27 season, Thailand's professional football league features 103 clubs competing, divided as follows:
BYD SEALION 6 LEAGUE1 (Thai League 1), the top division, with 16 teams.
The second tier, BYD SEAL 5 LEAGUE 2 (Thai League 2), includes 18 teams.
Both leagues will kick off their first matches simultaneously on Friday, 4 September 2026.
In the first week, all teams will play on Saturday and Sunday, 5-6 September, across both leagues.
Meanwhile, Thai League 3, BYD DOLPHIN LEAGUE 3, will start its first matches from 19 September 2026 onward.
The U21 league, the PEA U-21 Youngster League, which promises to be more intense this year, will begin on 15 September 2026.
Thus, entering the fourth decade is not just a celebration of the past.
It is a commitment to further develop Thai football leagues to be stronger.
Improving competition quality, management standards, business value, and fan base.
Over 30 years, Thai football leagues have been managed by four presidents.
Starting with “Big VJ,” Professor Wijit Ketkaew.
Then “Bang Yi,” Worawi Makudi.
Followed by “Big Odd,” Pol. Lt. Gen. Dr. Somyot Poompanmoung.
And currently, “Madam Pang” Nualphan Lamsam, the strong female leader.
There have been ups and downs, including the most flourishing times.
Also, periods of failure and decline, requiring rebuilding from scratch.
I believe football fans nationwide are fully aware of this truth by now!!!
- Bee Bangpakong -