Thai Football 2024/25

[PeteC]

"Revo" as in the Toyota pick-up truck model?

[Big Boy]

Yes, they have been HUGE Sponsors of Thai football.

[PeteC]

Yes, they have been HUGE Sponsors of Thai football.

You're reading the same stuff I do. Pick-Up sales and all vehicle sales here are down to historic lows, mainly due to NPL's and new financing rules. Toyota has to cut somewhere I guess.

[Big Boy]

To put some meat on that bone, from 2017 to 2020 Revo sponsored ฿700M.

[Big Boy]

Continuing on the theme of Thai football being in severe financial straits, I've just purchased my season ticket for the 2024/25 season. It has doubled in price.

IMHO a sensible move, providing admission cost at the turnstiles increases as well. With the exception of Buriram, all clubs are underselling themselves, and charging too little. I sincerely hope all clubs have followed suit, and increased their charges. Even now, I still think they are not charging enough.

[Big Boy]

I am flabbergasted. I paid double for this season's season ticket yesterday, assuming all admission prices would be increased. The club have just put Sunday's tickets on sale.................. no change.

The season ticket covers 15 home matches, and I sit in the East Stand Q to W (140฿) = 2,100฿. My season ticket cost 3,000฿ .

OK, there are other perks, so I won't be out of pocket, but what a strange way to try to sell season tickets - 900฿ over the face value. It must be a Thai thing.

[caller]

Are you not worried that increased ticket prices will affect attendances?

It did in Korat years ago, when the price of a match day ticket went up by 50%.

[Big Boy]

Yes, of course, but it is one solution to a very real problem. Thai football is not sustainable with current attendances/admission charges. I read somewhere that for a Thai football club to be self-sufficient, they need 20,000 attendance at matches. Outside of Buriram, and maybe now Korat, numbers like that are unthinkable. Many stadiums, including my team Ratchaburi (arguably, pound for pound, the best stadium in the league) could not accommodate such numbers.

Relying upon sponsors and TV money is risky. Sponsors pull out (Ratchaburi had Mitr Phol), and leave clubs high and dry. The Ratchaburi experience proves that it can happen with absolutely no notice. Ratchaburi had all of their shirts printed with Mitr Phol on the front when they pulled the plug. They started the season with no funding whatsoever, and wore plain shirts.

TV money - most Thais were quite happy with paying 50฿/month last season. True have increased that to 199฿/month for this season (a 400% rise). Many Thais are revolting, and saying they will not pay. If True aren't going to make the necessary profit, how long will TV money last?

I wish I knew the solution, but I don't. Do you have any ideas?

[caller]

I wish I knew the solution, but I don't. Do you have any ideas?

Let it find it's own level. If the fans are not that bothered, or can't afford to support their team, and sponsorship is weak, then just let it survive at a lower level.

[Big Boy]

I was talking a couple of days ago about Thai Football being in a financial mess. The following T1 logo is being banded about as the new logo of T1. Not much difference, but the key bit is where has Revo gone. Has the T1 sponsor pulled out? I don't know how much they sponsor league for, but be sure it will be a hell of a blow if true.

The Thai football season kicked off about 3 minutes ago, and as I feared, absolutely no sign of the Revo sponsorship.

[pharvey]

Bit of an Off Topic question perhaps, but one for you BB. My next-door neighbour has a Thai partner - both of which are friends of the LHG and I. Chatting today, I was told the Thai lady's brother has got himself in a spot of bother with betting on/in the Thai Football League and not an insignificant amount of money.

Having worked, lived and visited various places in Thailand over the years, I've seen the bad side - but is it really that bad with regards to betting and Football?

[Big Boy]

Sorry, but I've never been a betting man. I'm sure its there if you look for it, but I don't.

[pharvey]

Sorry, but I've never been a betting man. I'm sure its there if you look for it, but I don't.

No, I'm not one for the betting - aside from the odd £5 on the 6 Nations or the Rugby World Cup (or Welsh Football on the rare occasion we get anywhere) - I just found it a little surprising. The Premier League has massive money, but the Thai Football League? Not meant as an insult obviously.... Then again, of course it's illegal in Thailand - apologies for raising the subject

[Big Boy]

I'm sure it exists, and exists big time. It is most likely the catalyst for so much corruption in Thai Football. Every season referees get suspended for a few matches.

[Big Boy]

Tonight's T1 result:

Scores.jpg (61.49 KiB) Viewed 1285 times