The 2024–25 Thai League 3 marks the eighth season of the Thai League 3, Thailand's third-tier professional football league.[1] This season retains the structure of 69 clubs divided into six regional groups, with an adjusted regional distribution to better reflect geographical locations.
For the 2024–25 season, the regions are organized as follows: Northern (11 clubs), Central (11 clubs), Northeastern (11 clubs), Eastern (12 clubs), Western (12 clubs), and Southern (12 clubs). Notably, the Bangkok Metropolitan Region has been replaced by the Central Region. Clubs previously competing in the Bangkok Metropolitan, Eastern, and Western regions have been reallocated to the new regional groups based on their geographical positions.
The league maintains a two-stage format, beginning with the Regional Stage, where clubs compete within their respective regions. The 2024–25 season kicks off on 14 September 2024 with the first match of the Regional Stage,[2] and the top two clubs from each region, the champions and runners-up, advance to the National Championship Stage. This final phase, featuring 12 clubs, culminates with the second leg of the national final on TBD, marking the official close of the season. In this phase, clubs compete for the national title and the opportunity for promotion to Thai League 2 for the next season. By reorganizing the regional groups, Thai League 3 continues to play a crucial role in the development of football nationwide, ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all participating clubs. This revised regional structure aims to promote competitive balance and foster the growth of football across all regions of Thailand.
Seasonal Changes
The 2024–25 Thai League 3 season introduces several significant changes from the previous season, impacting club composition, league structure, and regional distribution.
Relegation from Thai League 2
Chiangmai, who originally secured their spot in Thai League 2, were relegated to Thai League 3 after failing to meet the club licensing standards.[3] As a result, Kasetsart, which had the best ranking among the clubs in the relegation zone, remained in Thai League 2 instead.[4]Toko Customs United (formerly Customs United) and Krabi were also relegated to Thai League 3 and will compete in the Eastern and Southern Regions, respectively.[5][6] Chiangmai will compete in the Northern Region.
Promotions from Thailand Semi-pro League
Six clubs have earned promotion to Thai League 3 from the Thailand Semi-pro League:
Several clubs from Thai League 3 that met competitive criteria failed to pass the club licensing for the 2024–25 season, resulting in their relegation to the Thailand Semi-pro League:
These clubs have been relegated to the Thailand Semi-pro League for the 2025 season.
Regional redistribution and renaming
A significant change this season is the renaming of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region to the Central Region. This renaming was part of a broader effort to align the regions more closely with the geographical locations of the clubs. To further support this adjustment:
Samut Prakan, which previously competed in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (currently Central Region), has been moved to the Eastern Region.
These changes ensure that clubs are placed in regions that better reflect their actual geographical locations, promoting a more balanced and competitive league structure. The renaming of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region to the Central Region, along with the redistribution of clubs, is intended to create clarity and prevent confusion as the league continues to evolve.[22]
Club name and logo changes
Several clubs have rebranded or changed their logos for the 2024–25 season:
TPF Uttaradit (formerly Uttaradit Saksiam), a club in the Northern Region, changed both its name and logo, retaining the iconic image of Phraya Phichai.[24]
Kasem Bundit University, a club in the Central Region, underwent a full logo redesign to modernize its image.[25]
ACDC, a club in the Eastern Region, updated its logo's typography to a more modern design.
Navy, a club in the Eastern Region, introduced a completely new logo that emphasizes its naval roots but with a contemporary look.[26]
Toko Customs United (formerly Customs United), a club in the Eastern Region, updated its logo, changing the text to reflect its new name.[27]
Nonthaburi United, a club in the Western Region, changed its logo, replacing the bear-and-durian tree design with a crow, representing strength and resilience.[28]
Pattani, a club in the Southern Region, updated its logo by changing the cannon from black to gold, adding two hibiscus flowers, and incorporating a floral pattern.
PSU Surat Thani City (formerly Wiang Sa Surat Thani City), a club in the Southern Region, updated its logo, keeping the Arowana fish but changing the text to reflect its new name.[29]
Regional stage
The Regional Stage of the 2024–25 Thai League 3 includes 69 clubs divided into six regions: Northern (11 clubs), Central (11 clubs), Northeastern (11 clubs), Eastern (12 clubs), Western (12 clubs), and Southern (12 clubs). Each region operates in a round-robin format where clubs play each other in both home and away matches. The top two clubs from each region, the champion and the runner-up, qualify for the National Championship Stage. This stage serves to determine the regional winners and which clubs advance to the national competition.
Updated to match(es) played on 24 November 2024. Source: Thai League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Updated to match(es) played on 24 November 2024. Source: Thai League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Updated to match(es) played on 24 November 2024. Source: Thai League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Updated to match(es) played on 27 November 2024. Source: Thai League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Updated to match(es) played on 24 November 2024. Source: Thai League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
Updated to match(es) played on 24 November 2024. Source: Thai League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goal scored; 5) Overall goal difference; 6) Overall goal scored; 7) Fair play points; 8) Play-off without extra time).
The 2024–25 National Championship Stage features 12 clubs from the Regional Stage, including champions and runners-up from six regions. These clubs are divided into three groups: Group A (Northern and Central), Group B (Northeastern and Eastern), and Group C (Western and Southern). Each group plays in a round-robin, home-and-away format. The top club from each group advances to the semi-finals, along with the best second-placed club from all groups.
The knockout stage, held over two legs, uses aggregate scoring, with the away goals rule applied in case of a tie. If still level, extra time and penalties will decide the winner. Semi-final winners reach the final and secure promotion to Thai League 2, while the semi-final losers compete for third place, with the winner also earning promotion. This format ensures strong competition and offers promotion opportunities to the top clubs.
