Thai football league system


Cup eligibility
Being members of a league at a particular level also affects the eligibility for Cup competitions.

Former system

Before 1996 season

Before the top level of Thai football league, Thai Premier League was constituted in 1996, the Football Royal Cup was the football competitions of Thailand at that time.
The Thailand football competition system before 1996 is listed below:

1916–1961 seasons

In 1916, Football Association of Thailand was found Yai Cup and Noi Cup for the purpose of annual football competitions in Thailand.

1962–1995 seasons

In 1962, because of the abundant football clubs in Thailand then the Football Association of Thailand changed the name of Yai Cup to the Kor Royal Cup and changed the name of Noi Cup to the Khǒr Royal Cup and added the Khor Royal Cup and the Ngor Royal Cup to the Football Royal Cup competitions.

1996–1998 seasons

In 1996 season, The Thai Premier League, The top level of football league was constituted by Football Association of Thailand rather than Kor Royal Cup. and FAT also found Division 1 League in the next season.
Kor Royal Cup The trophy contested in an annual Super Cup competition match between the champions of Thai Premier League and the runners-up of Thai Premier League or Thai FA Cup
The Thailand football league system in 1996–1998 season before Division 2 League and Provincial League was created is listed below:

1999–2002 seasons

In 1999 season, Provincial League was found by the Football Association of Thailand for this reason, There are two separate football league competitions in Thailand in the meantime.
Although there are two separate leagues in Thailand, only the winner and runner-up from the Thai Premier League, which is controlled by Football Association of Thailand, are eligible to play in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup respectively.

2003 season

In 2003 season, the Provincial League was organized by the Sports Authority of Thailand; relegation was to the Pro League 2 for the next season. There are two separate football league competitions in Thailand in the meantime.
Although there are two separate leagues in Thailand, only the winner and runner-up from the Thai Premier League, which is controlled by Football Association of Thailand, are eligible to play in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup respectively.

2004 season

In 2004 season, Provincial League was found Pro League 1 and Pro League 2 by the Sports Authority of Thailand for this reason

2005 season

In 2005 season the winner and runner-up of the Provincial League 2005, Chonburi FC and Suphanburi FC began the practice of move to play in the Thai Premier League 2006.
Although there are two separate leagues in Thailand, only the winner and runner-up from the Thai Premier League, which is controlled by Football Association of Thailand, are eligible to play in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup respectively.

2006 season

In 2006 season Provincial League renamed Professional League by the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Division 2 League was founded by the Football Association of Thailand in this season,
1st and 3rd of the Provincial League 2006, TOT and Nakhon Pathom began the practice of moving to play in the Thai Premier League 2007.
The proposed merger of the Provincial League and Thai Premier League into one entity, though supported by the Football Association of Thailand, had been attempted several times without success. Finally, in January 2007, the FAT announced a merger that would make the Provincial League a part of the Thai Premier League.
The Thailand football league system in 2006 season before combined the Thai Premier League , Division 1 , Division 2 and Provincial League together in 2007 is listed below:
In the 2007 season, Division 1 was divided into two groups. In the 2008 season, Division 2 also was divided into two groups. Until the 2009 season, the number of teams from all leagues in the High division will consist of 16 clubs.
In 2008 season no team in Provincial League was promoted to Division 2 League.
However, in the 2009 season, FAT needed to develop the Thai football league system and specify the quality of the team in high-division for conforming to AFC regulation. Consequently, they determined to adjust the Division 2 competition form by combining it with Provincial League and dividing Division 2 league into 5 regions.
The Thailand football league system in 2007–2008 season before combined Division 2 League and Provincial League together in 2009 is listed below:

2009–2012 seasons

2013–2015 seasons

2016 season

2017–2018 seasons