After we had a closer look on Group A of the Regional League play-offs 2012  on Saturday, it is time to have one on Group B.

The big favorite in the so called "group of death" is, of course Chiang Mai. If one sees what the club has invested this year to build up a promising academy and training facilities, of those even players from the Thai Premier League are  enthusiastically talking bout, the only objective can be promotion. With Aliou Seck (18 goals), Aboubacar Sanogo (17) and Anucha Chaiyawong (14) Chiang Mai FC all alone provided the top three goal scorers from the North. Together they produced a total of 49 of the 78 goals. Anucha, Thai Premier League Champion in 2008 with PEA, already enjoyed promotion with his current club two years ago before he went off to Lamphun for a year. To give his players some extra motivation, the clubs president just this week, bought new shoes for all his players, each pair worth 7.800 Baht. Remains to hope they do not get blisters on their feet after the first match.

The 4th edition, of the so-called "Regional Champions League" which acts as play-off round to determine the teams getting promoted from Thailand's third to second Division is due to kick-off this weekend. The much-anticipated draw took place last weekend.

In the run-up of the draw, three cities applied to host the ceremony with Chiang Mai eventually making the race. The hosting city had to bear all the costs for the participants of the other clubs and the league officials. For the rules of the draw: the top two teams of its respective Division could not be drawn together in one group. Chance brought it about that at least the two hot favored sides - Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai - could avoid each other.

The coming weekend brings us the last matchday of the Regional League season 2012 with plenty of excitement. Because four, respectively five teams still battling for a play-off spot.

Out of all five Divisions so far, in just one Division all three play-off participants are already determined for the "Regional League Champions League". This is the North Division where Chiang Mai FC, Paknampho NSRU and Phitsanulok FC have qualified. For Paknampho this is the first participation in the final round and reconfirms the upward trend which they could prove last year when finishing fifth in the Bangkok Division.

AIS Regional League season 2012 is due to start on the weekend 18/19 February. On yesterday's league conference, which lasted more than 2,5 hours, further details were announced in addition. We took the time and followed an invitation to attend the meeting.

The Regional League season 2012 officially is going to be kicked off on 14 February with an opening match between Roi Et United and an opponent which is still to be named. Furthermore it is planned top have a TV broadcast from the game to ensure a nation wide coverage. For the first time since it's naugural Regional League season, 81 teams are going to participate. New teams are Sisaket United, Trat FC, as well as two teams still to be determined from the Khor Royal Cup. Some time ago though it was discussed to introduce a sixth division. However, it remains with five zones.

Thailand regular Regional League Season 2011 ended last weekend. Midweek the play-off draw was held in Ratchaburi. Our Regional League expert esgede is taking a closer look on the outcome of the draw and analyse each teams chances.

The draw for the Regional League play-offs 2011 was not just simply a draw as League officials arranged some activities around it. Ratchaburi Stadium was chosen as the venue, instead of a sterile conference room in Bangkok. Besides all the league officials FAT president Worawi Makudi insisted to be part of the event and he kicked the ball around in a friendly which took place later the night.