Regional League: New season to kick off in February

Image: © thai-fussball.com

But Division North, Central East and Bangkok are increased to 18 clubs, while the North-East zone remains with 16 teams. South Division is going to be reduced to 11 teams only, because Krabi and Pattalung gained promotion. This affects the number of places which are entitled for the play-offs. As known from previous years, they will take place after the season in two groups with six teams for a total of four promotion places. Hence, quite hotly it will be in the south, because now only the champion is entitled to participate. For the other divisions, play-off spots allocated as follow, North-East: Champion and runners-up and for the other zones the top three clubs qualify.

In the course of the restructuring and because there are three clubs from Bangkok (respectively Chanthaburi) relegated, it means that clubs have to be shifted. In detail Paknampho NSRU, up to now Bangkok division, is moving into North, as well as Mapthaput-Rayong. Samut Prakan United, up to now Bangkok will have to move to Central-East. It was considered to put teams like Prachuap Khiri Khan or Kanchanaburi into the Bangkok group, to shorten travel distance, but it has been dropped.

Moreover, with the licensing of Sisaket United, the project continues to integrate more than one team per province into professional football in Thailand. Like up to now has happened with Chiang Rai FC, Prachinburi United and Hat Yai FC. While Thai Premier League is still lacking of a clear statement,
the foreign player rule in the Regional League is to remain. Namely, seven foreigners in the squad with a maximum of five on the field the same time.

During the conference several points were addressed by different advisers, like alcoholic beverages in the stadium, security, state of the fields, sponsorship and management. Here, one wants to work more professionally and in addition one may expect one or another decision in the course of the season.

From Dr. Sumet, we got to know that the league wants to stick to the so-called "Monday Night match" with which the football fans in Bangkok are again able to follow one additional game day.

For the realisation of the league in 2012 the SAT provides a budget of 153 million Baht. 81 million Baht of them are allocated to the participating teams. For referees as well as match commissioners approx. 30 million Baht are estimated, The rest is reserved as prize money. Indeed, currently only 100 million Baht by now are just available from the promised money.

Acting Deputy governor of the sports ministry, Sakon Wanpong was also present at the meeting. He stressed at the same time that all the money should not serve to finance professional football, rather it should be used for further development of football in Thailand. Moreover, one expects a return of investment especially from the tourism sector as well as other positive effects, like in social and economic areas.

Hat Yai's bid to take over the license from Division One side Songkhla FC, latter bought his way into the TPL this week, was turned down.