A Glimpse into the Lower Echelons

Thai League 2 Weekly Roundup with Phil Williams

The Final Whistle (Or Is It?)

So that's that, or so we think. The automatic promotion places are decided with a double whammy of Sisaket teams clinching the spots. The play-offs have been scheduled with Pattani facing Chainat and Police Tero scheduled to play Nongbua. On paper, we know the relegated teams with Bangkok FC, Nakhonsi United, and Kasetsart going down... But hark, what is that noise! The Thai football klaxon... Three clubs in T2 might disband or get new owners next season due to financial problems. The three clubs are from the Northeast, East, and Bangkok. If any club withdraws from the league, or doesn't get a licence, relegated clubs will survive. The clubs in question are rumoured to be Kasetsart, Mahasarakham, and Chantaburi... if this is the case, all teams could survive to 'fight another day'. (Simon Causton)

Phrae United 0 - 2 Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom conjured up a minor miracle on the last day of the season with a 2-0 away win at Phrae. A goal in each half from Tanakrit and Douglas Tardin meant The King Tigers escaped relegation by just one point. Phrae United had a poor run-in and finish a disappointing 11th.

Kasetsart FC 3 - 4 Chiang Mai United

Kasetsart needed just a point to survive but a disastrous home loss means their 9-year stay in Thailand's second tier comes to an end. And they are relegated to T3 along with Nakhonsi United and Bangkok FC.

Sisaket United 5 - 1 Songkhla United

Sisaket thrashed Songkhla United at home in front of a crowd of over 7,000 to grab the second automatic promotion spot and a place in the Thai Premier League. Songkhla had midfielder Sittichok Paso shown a red card in the first half - and from then on the outcome was never in doubt.

Nakhonsi United 0 - 0 Pattani FC

A goalless draw means Nakhonsi United are relegated to T3 as the 17th place club, while Pattani FC will face Chainat Hornbill in the T2 play-off semi-finals.

Chainat Hornbill 1 - 2 Pattaya United

Chainat clung on to the 6th place play-off spot despite losing at home to Pattaya. Gustavo Apis netted a brace for the away side.

Mahasarakham 2 - 2 Khon Kaen United

Either of these teams could have qualified for the play-offs with a win - but it just wasn't to be. In an end-to-end game, Khon Kaen twice took the lead through Palitchok and Pongsakon, but The Purple Crabs fought back with equalisers from Jetjinn and Waradorn.

Chantaburi 1 - 1 Police Tero

Chantaburi are safe for another season in T2 and Police Tero finish 5th and will meet Nongbua Pichaya in the play-off semi-finals. Pedro put Police Tero in front on the half hour but Luan Costa levelled things early in the second half.

Nongbua Pichaya 3 - 3 Rasisalai United

A goal-fest at The Pichaya Stadium but a result that didn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Rasisalai were already promoted as champions, and if 4th place Nongbua are to join them, they need to first get past Police Tero in the play-off semi-finals.

Bangkok FC 1 - 1 Trat FC

The only fixture from the final day that had nothing riding on it. Bangkok FC already relegated and Trat FC with no chance of making the play-offs. A share of the points probably a fitting conclusion.

Phil Williams is co-host of the Chiang Mai is Blue Podcast.

Listen on Spotify: Chiang Mai is Blue

Follow Phil on Twitter/X: @Ajarncom