MUANG THONG AIM FOR CONTINENTAL DOMINATION

Immediately after picking up the THB10 million (USD330,000) prize money for winning the league the Muang Thong United bosses announced that they will be pumping in more money to make sure that the team continues with their winning tradition.

“We will not stop here,” said Muang Thong general manager Ronnarit Suewaja.

“Other teams will be better prepared for next season so we have to strengthen our squad to cope with them.”

Muang Thong are backed by media empire Siam Sport Syndicate with their Yamaha Stadium often packed to its 15,000 capacity.

The team which is also known as the Kirins were eliminated from the AFC Champions League 2010 at the qualifying stage and were dropped down to the AFC Cup where they reached the semi-finals before losing to Syria’s Al Ittihad 2-1 on aggregate.

In the meantime, the three bottom side at the end of the Thai Premier League season – Army, Bangkok United and Si Sa Ket – will get the chance to stay in the top flight following the decision of the FA of Thailand (FAT) to increase the number of teams from 16 to 18 next season.

But Army, Bangkok United and Si Sa Ket will have to battle against the fourth, fifth and sixth placed teams from the First Division – Songkhla, Nakhon Pathom and Air Force United respectively – in the play-offs.

The top two teams in the play-offs will join promoted Sri Racha FC (first division champions), Khon Kaen (second) and Chiang Rai (third) in the top flight next season.