Thai League 3 or Thailand Regional Championship, commonly known as the T3, is the third level of
Thai football. It was started in 2017 First season. In 2017, the League is divided in 2 regions and participated by 32 clubs 1st-4th clubs from 8 regions which are former members
Regional League Division 2 and debutants in the season.
History of Thai third-tier football
Division 2 era (until 2017)
A national third tier of Football Association of Thailand was first established when the newly created
Division 2 Football League was formed in 2006 with 10 member clubs.
In 2006, the first season, 10 clubs played each other twice, with promotion going to the championship winner
Chula-Sinthana FC
BBCU Football Club, known fully as Big Bang Chula United Football Club ( th, สโมสรฟุตบอล บีบีซียู), is a defunct Thai professional football club based in Bangkok, Thailand, owned by Montri Suwannoi. Found ...
. No relegation occurred in 2006.
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. 2 Groups would be created. 11 clubs in Group A and 11 clubs in Group B.
In 2009,
Division 2 Football League renamed
Regional League Division 2 Division 2 League was combined with
Provincial League
Provincial League (formerly known as Professional League) also known as Pro League was the old regional Football league in Thailand in 1999–2008. It was founded in 1999 under the name "Provincial League" organized by Sports Authority of Thailan ...
by FAT. The league was again split from 2 groups into 5 groups 52 clubs played 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''. 5 group winners would enter a championship round to determine which three teams would gain promotion to the
Thai Division 1 League
Thai League 2 ( th, ไทยลีก 2), commonly known as the T2, formally called Thai Division 1 League, is the second-tier professional league in the Thai football league system. The top 3 are promoted to Thai League 1 at the end of the s ...
. Raj Pracha duly won the championship stage and were promoted with Chiangrai United of the Northern League and Narathiwat of the Southern League.
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.
Professionalization and establishment (2017)
Close to the end of 2016 about the upcoming professional third-tier league, referred to as either "Thai League 3" most of the sources agreed that the new league will feature around 32 clubs divided into Two Groups.
To participate a club must have held an associate membership, and then passed an inspection in order to obtain a participation licence issued by
Football Association of Thailand
The Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King ( th, สมาคมกีฬาฟุตบอลแห่งประเทศไทย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์), or FA Thailand for s ...
and passed club licensing regulation.
Combined with Thai League 4 and change the season period (2020)
Due to the epidemic of
Coronavirus disease 2019 also known as COVID-19, the season must be postponed to start in late 2020 and end in early 2021. In addition, the
Thai League 4
Thai League 4 ( th, 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 Southe ...
had combined with the Thai League 3 and compete as Thai League 3 since this season.
Thai League 3 seasons
Here you can view the season's in more detail.
2017
2018
2019
2020–21
:Due to the epidemic of
Coronavirus disease 2019 also known as COVID-19, the season must be postponed to start in late 2020 and end in early 2021. In addition, the
Thai League 4
Thai League 4 ( th, 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 Southe ...
had combined with the Thai League 3 and compete as Thai League 3 since this season and there is no relegation in this season.
2021–22
Champions history
Champions of the 3rd tier
Thai football league system Cup eligibility
Being members of a league at a particular level also affects the eligibility for Cup competitions.
*Thai FA Cup: Levels 1 to 5
*Thai League Cup: Levels 1 to 3
Current system
Former system
Before 1996 season
Before the top l ...
Sponsorship
The list below details of the Thai League 3 sponsors have been and what they called the competition:
* 2017: Euro Food (Euro Cake League Pro)
* 2018–2021:
Government Savings Bank (GSB League Pro in 2018–2020, GSB League Regional Championship in 2020–2021)
* 2021–2022: Blue Dragon (Blue Dragon League ())
* 2022–2023: Kongsalakplus (Kongsalakplus League ())
See also
*
Football records in Thailand This page details football records in Thailand.
Most successful teams
Top-performing clubs - league structures
Thai League 1
The Invincibles
Unbeatable champions:
* Muangthong United in 2012
* Buriram United in 2013
* Buriram United in 2015
...
References
External links
official Thai League T3 rules
{{AFC third leagues
3
Sports leagues established in 2017
2017 establishments in Thailand
Third level football leagues in Asia
Professional sports leagues in Thailand