NEW ERA FOR THAI FOOTBALL AS RIVAL LEAGUES MERGE 12

January 9, 2007 (SINGAPORE): A long-running feud between rival football leagues in Thailand ended on a winning note as the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) agreed to merge their previously separately organised competitions.

The FAT organises the Thai Premier League while the SAT has its own Thailand Professional League.

The decision by both parties to join forces for the good of the game will surely benefit the sport in the country.

The all-important decision to merge leagues was reached at a meeting this week.

After the meeting, it was also revealed that a new revamped professional league would begin on March 18 this year.

The Premier League will comprise of 16 teams while the Division 1 will have 24 teams.

Football fans in Thailand will be thrilled with the new league which promises to be action-packed and competitive as all the best players in the country will be in action.

Previously, FAT in 2005, initiated a 12-team Premier League which was supposed to be for the very best teams in the country.

It was made up of teams that were mainly based in Bangkok.

But then the SAT, formed the Thailand Professional League which consisted of provincial teams.

As expected, both leagues were soon rivalling each other.

Thanks to the merger, professional football in Thailand is set to shift into a new era.

With all of the best playing in one league, fans can expect nothing but the best when the new league kicks-off in March.