Thai League 4 Explained

Pixels:250px
Country:Thailand
Organiser:Thai League
Confed:AFC
Founded:2006
Folded:2020
Promotion:Thai League 3
Relegation:Thailand Amateur League

Thai League 4 (Thai: ไทยลีก 4), commonly known as the T4, was the fourth level association football league in Thailand. In 2009, it was divided into five groups by geographic region. Each group contained 16 clubs except for the Southern Region group which contained 13 clubs. It was sponsored by AIS and therefore officially known as the AIS Regional League Division 2. In 2016, Khor Royal Cup became a trophy for Regional League Division 2.

In 2017, Football Association of Thailand rebranded the league to Thai League 4.[1]

League history

The 3rd Level League was formed in 2006 with ten member clubs. The league was created so that clubs from regional leagues could come together and play in a national league with the onus being on promotion and relegation so clubs could easily move up the Thai football system ladder depending on performances on the football pitch rather than performances behind the scenes.[2]

The league was also created so it would combat against the rival Provincial League. With future growth moving the Pro League to join the 2nd Division.

The league suffered another contraction after 2016 season, as 31 teams joined the newly created Thai League Championship. It also moved a tier down the pyramid, making it 4th Level League since 2017.

In 2006, the first season, ten clubs played each other twice, with promotion going to the championship winner Chula-Sinthana FC. No relegation occurred in 2006.

In 2007, the league was expanded to twelve clubs, with the top two in the championship achieving promotion (Mueang Thong NongJork United and PTT FC) and the bottom two clubs getting relegated (Thai Christian Sports Club and Thai Department of Agriculture).

In 2008, although two clubs were relegated at the end of the 2007 season, the league was again expanded the following year, to 22 clubs. Two groups would be created: 11 clubs in Group A and 11 clubs in Group B.

At the end of the season, two clubs from each group would be promoted with the league receiving four relegated teams from the Thailand Division 1 League. At the end of the season, the four clubs who achieved promotion would play off in an end of year competition to determine the overall league winner.

No clubs would be relegated due to re-structuring of the league system again for the 2009 season. But all clubs who wish to play at this level were asked to re-submit to the league and each club would be graded such items as club structure and ground stadium. Each club was expected to have certain criteria in place to achieve league status.

In 2009, 52 clubs played Division 2 League was combined with Provincial League by Football Association of Thailand. The league was again split from two groups into five groups covering the North of Thailand, North East (Isan) region, Central East Zone, Bangkok central zone and South of Thailand. The league was also renamed as the Regional League Division 2. Five group winners would enter a championship round to determine which three teams would gain promotion to the Thai Division 1 League. Rajpracha duly won the championship stage and were promoted with Chiangrai United of the Northern League and Narathiwat of the Southern League.

75 teams were confirmed to play in the Regional League for the 2010 season. The number of teams in each region were as follows: North Region - 16 Teams, North East Region - 16 Teams, Central Region - 16 Teams, Southern Region - 14 Teams, Bangkok Region - 13 Teams

Four teams would automatically be promoted to Division 1. The four promoted teams would be decided by two mini leagues at the conclusion of the regular season. The total number of teams competing in the mini leagues will be 12, they will be made up of the top two from each league with the best two third placed teams from the Northern, North-east and Central-East leagues The top two from each mini league will gain promotion. The sides coming in third and fourth position in the mini leagues would again play playoff matches against the bottom four clubs of Division 1 in order to gain promotion.

94 teams were confirmed to play in the Regional League for the 2016 season. The number of teams in each region were as follows: North Region - 12 Teams, North East Region - 14 Teams, East Region - 12 Teams, West Region - 12 Teams, South Region - 12 Teams, Bangkok Region - 11 Teams, Bangkok-East Region - 10 Teams, Central Region - 11 Teams

In 2017, FA Thailand rebranded the Regional League as Thai League 4 and separated it into six zones: the northern region, northeastern region, eastern region, western region, Bangkok metropolitan region and southern region.[3]

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was postponed to start in late 2020 and end in early 2021. In addition, the Thai League 4 had combined with the Thai League 3 and will compete as Thai League 3 as of this season.[4] [5]

Promotion and relegation

2008 promotion and relegation

The top two sides at the end of the 2008 season from A & B will be promoted to Thai Division 1 League. No teams would be relegated due to a re-structuring process.

2009 promotion and relegation

The league winner of the five groups (North-east, Northern, Central & East, Bangkok Metropolitan, Southern) entered a final round group, Regional League Championships 2009, played on a home and away basis. The top three teams of this championship group will achieve promotion to Thai Division 1 League. No teams would be relegated.

2010 promotion and relegation

The league winners and runners up of the five regional groups (North-east, Northern, Central & East, Bangkok Metropolitan, Southern) along with the two best third placed teams from the North, North-east and Central/East would enter the championships stage. From here, the top two teams from two groups of five would be promoted, the teams finishing in third and fourth place would enter another round of playoffs with the bottom four clubs of the 2010 Thai Division 1 League to determine if any more clubs would be promoted. No teams would be relegated.

2016 promotion and relegation

The league winners and runners up of the eight regional groups (16 team) entered a final round group Regional League Championships Knockout 3 team best promotion to the Thai Division 1 League and 4-5 team best of the eight regional Promotion to the Thai League Championship. Team worst of the eight regional groups (8 team) relegated to the Thai Football Division 3.

2017 promotion and relegation

The league winners of the six regional groups and runners up of North-east, Central, East, Bangkok Metropolitan and third place of North-east and playoff winner with runners up of Northern-Southern (12 teams) entered the Champions League Knockout stage, The best five team in this stage will promoted to Thai League 3. Team worst of all regional groups relegated to the Thailand Amateur League.

Season records

Thailand League Division 2 seasons

2007

See main article: Thailand Division 2 League 2007.

2008

See main article: 2008 Thailand League Division 2 (Group A).

See main article: 2008 Thailand League Division 2 (Group B).

See main article: 2008 Thailand League Division 2.

Regional League Division 2 seasons

2009

See main article: 2009 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2009 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2009 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2009 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2009 Regional League Division 2.

2010

See main article: 2010 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2010 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2010 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2010 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2010 Regional League Division 2.

2011

See main article: 2011 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2011 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2011 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2011 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2011 Regional League Division 2.

2012

See main article: 2012 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2012 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2012 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2012 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2012 Regional League Division 2.

2013

See main article: 2013 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2013 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2013 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2013 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2013 Regional League Division 2.

2014

See main article: 2014 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2014 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2014 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2014 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2014 Regional League Division 2.

2015

See main article: 2015 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2015 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2015 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2015 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2015 Regional League Division 2.

2016

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 Northern Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 Eastern Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 Western Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 Southern Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2 Central Region.

See main article: 2016 Regional League Division 2.

Thai League 4 seasons

2017

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Northern Region.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Northeastern Region.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Eastern Region.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Western Region.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Southern Region.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4 Champions League.

See main article: 2017 Thai League 4.

2018

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Northern Region.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Northeastern Region.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Eastern Region.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Western Region.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Southern Region.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4 Champions League.

See main article: 2018 Thai League 4.

2019

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Northern Region.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Northeastern Region.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Eastern Region.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Western Region.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Southern Region.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4 Champions League.

See main article: 2019 Thai League 4.

Champions history

Champions of the third tier Thai football league system (Division 2)

SeasonNumber
of teams
WinnerRunner UpThird placeFourth Place
1200610Chula-Sinthana
2200712Muangthong UnitedPTTPrachinburi
3200822PrachinburiArmy Welfare DepartmentSongkhla
4200952Raj Pracha-NonthaburiChiangrai UnitedNarathiwat
5201075Songkhla UnitedPhuketChiangmaiChainat
6201177RatchaburiNakhon RatchasimaPhattalungKrabi
7201281AyutthayaTratRayongRayong United
8201384Roi Et UnitedChiang MaiPhitsanulokAngthong
9201483Prachuap Khiri KhanThai HondaSukhothaiPhichit
10201583Ubon UMT UnitedSatun UnitedKhonkaen UnitedRayong
11201694TratKasetsartNongbua PitchayaSurat Thani

Champions of the fourth tier Thai football league system (Thai League 4)

SeasonNumber
of teams
Promoted
(Group A winners)
Promoted
(Group B winners)
Promoted
12201761BTU UnitedJL Chiangmai UnitedChiangrai City, Marines Eureka, Muangkan United
SeasonNumber
of teams
Winner Runner Up Promoted
13201857Nakhon Pathom UnitedKhon Kaen UnitedNorth Bangkok University
SeasonNumber
of teams
Winner Runner Up Promoted
14201960Wat Bot CityPattaniMuang Loei United, Pathumthani University

Regional league winners

RegionWinnerRunner Up
2009 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionRaj Pracha-NonthaburiKasem Bundit University
Central & Eastern RegionSamut PrakanAyutthaya
North Eastern RegionLoei CityNakhon Ratchasima
Northern RegionChiangrai UnitedPhichit
Southern RegionNarathiwatSatun
2010 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionBangkokRangsit University JW
Central & Eastern RegionSaraburiSamut Prakan
North Eastern RegionLoei CitySongkhla United
Northern RegionChiangmaiChainat
Southern RegionPhuketTrang
2011 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionKasetsartNorth Bangkok College
Central & Eastern RegionRatchaburiRayong
North Eastern RegionRoi Et UnitedLoei City
Northern RegionPhitsanulokLamphun Warrior
Southern RegionKrabiPhattalung
2012 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionThai HondaRayong United
Central & Eastern RegionAyutthayaRayong
North Eastern RegionRoi Et UnitedSisaket United F.C.
Northern RegionChiangmaiPhitsanulok
Southern RegionTrangPattani
2013 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionPaknampho NSRUKasetsart University
Central & Eastern RegionLook Isan-Thai AirwaysNakhon Nayok
Central & Western RegionAng ThongPrachuap
North Eastern RegionRoi Et UnitedUdon Thani
Northern RegionChiangmaiPhitsanulok
Southern RegionNara UnitedChumphon
2014 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionThai HondaBCC Tero
Central & Eastern RegionPrachinburi UnitedMaptaphut Rayong
Central & Western RegionHua HinPhetchaburi
North Eastern RegionUbon UMTUdon Thani
Northern RegionSukhothaiPhichit
Southern RegionPrachuap Khiri KhanSatun United
2015 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionCustoms UnitedChamchuri United
Central & Eastern RegionRayongCha Choeng Sao
Central & Western RegionSamut SakhonThonburi City
North Eastern RegionKhonkaen UnitedUbon UMT United
Northern RegionLampangChiangrai City
Southern RegionSatun UnitedPattani
2016 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionChamchuri UnitedKasetsart
Bangkok & Eastern RegionRaj PrachaCustoms United
Central RegionAyutthaya WarriorAyutthaya
Eastern RegionTratCha Choeng Sao
Western RegionSamut SakhonKrung Thonburi
North Eastern RegionUdon ThaniUbon Ratchathani
Northern RegionNongbua PitchayaKamphaengphet
Southern RegionSurat ThaniNara United
2017 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionNorth Bangkok UniversitySamut Prakan
Eastern RegionChanthaburiMarines Eureka
Western RegionSuphanburi BMuangkan United
North Eastern RegionSisaket UnitedChaiyaphum United
Northern RegionJL Chiangmai UnitedChiangrai City
Southern RegionSatun UnitedPhuket
2018 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionNorth Bangkok UniversityBangkok United U-23
Eastern RegionBankhai UnitedChanthaburi
Western RegionNakhon Pathom UnitedIPE Samut Sakhon United
North Eastern RegionMuang Loei UnitedKhonkaen United
Northern RegionUttaraditNan
Southern RegionSatun UnitedPattani
2019 season
Bangkok Metropolitan RegionMuangthong United (ฺB)Bangkok United (ฺB)
Eastern RegionBankhai UnitedKohkwang
Western RegionHua Hin CityChainat United
North Eastern RegionMuang Loei UnitedHuai Thalaeng United
Northern RegionUttaraditWat Bot City
Southern RegionSatun UnitedPattani

See also

References

  1. https://www.smmsport.com/reader/article/23187 จาก"ดิวิชั่น2"มาเป็น"ไทยลีก4"
  2. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/kjss/article/view/242581/164831 View of Factors influencing achievement of Regional League
  3. https://siamrath.co.th/n/462361 “ตลาดนัดคนข่าวกีฬา” วันที่สองคึกคัก “ลีซอ” ชี้ฟุตบอลต้องมีรากฐานดี “วันกล้า” มองบอลไทยดูงานตปท.แต่ยังไม่ใช้ “เจ วรปัฐ” เผยลีกรากหญ้าสมัยนี้ความนิยมถอย
  4. https://www.nationtv.tv/sport/378771739 "ไทยลีก 3" กลุ่มบนยืนกรานค้านควบรวม "ไทยลีก 4"
  5. https://www.matichon.co.th/sport/news_2142350 บิ๊กอ๊อด ตั้งคณะทำงานหาแนวทางควบรวมไทยลีก3-4 ยันต้องยกเลิกผล4นัดแรก

External links