As the Thai Premier League takes an extended break, we decided to take a look at some alternative footy action courtesy of the Bangkok & Vicinity Division of the Regional League. With games either free or as little as B20, the Regional League offers an affordable and regular alternative to the TPL and Division 1. No long breaks here: matches are played every weekend and quite often on Friday and Monday nights too. Most importantly of the sixteen teams in the division, twelve play in Bangkok and surrounding areas making it a great option for those for soccer crazy fans in need of a fix.
The clubs below span the capital – from Pathum Thani in the north to Minburi in the east to Samut Prakan in the south to Bang Khun Thian in the west to Pathum Wan in the heart of the city – so there should be a club near you.
Name: Assumption Thonburi The Pac F.C
Nickname: The Pac
Stadium: The Pac Sports Center, Samae Dam, Bang Khun Thian (just by the Rama II/Highway 37 intersection)
Website: www.actthepacfc.com
Name: Bangkok Christian College FC
Nickname: Christians
Stadium: Thephasadin Stadium, Pathum Wan (the smaller stadium next to the Supachalasai Stadium. Easily visible from National Stadium BTS station)
Website: www.bccfootballclub.com
Name: Chamchuri United
Won promotion to the Regional League in 2011 as ‘Chulalongkorn University’, subsequently renamed
Stadium: Chulalongkorn University Stadium, Pathum Wan (a stone’s throw from the Thephasadin)
Website: www.chulautd.com (website shared with BBCU of Division 1)
Name: Globlex F.C
Nickname: The Bulls
Stadium: Ramkamhaeng University Stadium, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi (very close to Rajamangala National Stadium)
Website: www.globlexfc.com
Name: Kasem Bundit University
Nickname: The Intellectual Light
Stadium: 72nd Anniversary Stadium, Minburi (groundshare with Thai Honda of Division 1)
Website: Facebook only
Name: Kasetsart University
Nickname: The Emerald Nagas
Stadium: Intree Chantarasatit Stadium, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak.
Website: www.kasetfc.com
Name: Nonthaburi F.C
Nickname: The Crows
Stadium: Nonthaburi Provincial Stadium
Website: www.nonthaburifc.com
Name: North Bangkok F.C
Nickname: The Horsemen
Stadium: Army Stadium, Din Daeng (groundshare with Army United and BBCU)
Website: n/a (currently top of the league but no website!)
Name: Rajvithi FC
Stadium: Regency Stadium, Khlong Chan (on Nawamin Road, formerly known as National Housing Stadium)
Website: www.rajvithifc.com
Name: Samut Prakan United
Formed in 2009 as Thai Summit Samut Prakan FC
Nickname: The Crab Devils
Stadium: SAT Sports centre, Bang Phli
Website: www.samutprakarn-united.com
Name: Thai Airways Luk Isaan FC
Nickname: The Serpent
Stadium: Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Stadium, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani
Website: www.lookesanfc.com (apparently not working at the moment)
Name: Thanyaburi United
Formed in 2008 as Rose Asia Pathum Thani FC
Nickname: The Rhinos
Stadium: Queen Sikrit Stadium, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani
Website: (under construction)
(the four teams missing from this list are Prachinburi FC, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, Mapataphut Marine Rayong, and Thai Fleet who play in Sattahip.)