Thai football’s league system traces back to 1916 with the semi-professional Kor Royal Cup, a tournament-style competition. The modern professional era began in 1996 when the Football Association of Thailand launched the Thailand Soccer League (now Thai League 1), featuring 18 clubs in a double round-robin format.
Rebranded as Thai League 1 in 2017, it has grown into a competitive 16-team division sponsored by BYD Auto (BYD Sealion 6 League I). Highlights include Buriram United’s dominant “Buriram Era” (2013-2015, with two unbeaten seasons) and Chiangrai United’s surprise 2019 title. Matches typically occur weekends, with promotion/relegation to Thai League 2, fostering growing international interest.
This Thai League 1 fixture pits Bangkok-based Port FC (known as “The Lions” for their fierce home support) against Chonburi FC (“The Sharks”) at PAT Stadium in Bangkok. It’s a mid-season clash in the 2025/26 campaign, with Port FC hosting as the more established ...
The Si Mahosot Buddha footprints are Thailand’s oldest replica footprints, carved into a large laterite slab. They feature a central Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) with a swastika-shaped hole, an ancient auspicious symbol. Housed in an open pavilion, they are among the largest in Thailand and are venerated with offerings like flowers, incense, and gold leaf.
These carvings mark the spread of Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka to Thailand during the decline of Khmer influence. Discovered in modern times (post-20th century) in Dong Si Mahasot, they reflect a shift from Mahayana to Theravada traditions, symbolizing the Buddha’s presence in an aniconic form.
The Khmer hospital temple (likely part of the Noen Phra or nearby ruins) is a laterite and sandstone structure typical of Khmer architecture. It was one of the 102 arogayasala (hospital temples) built by King Jayavarman VII (1181–1218) across the Khmer Empire to provide medical care and spiritual healing.
Constructed in the 12th–13th centuries, ...
Wat Phanom Yong วัดพนมยงค์
Wat Phanom Yong or the Monastery of Wet nurse Yong is an active monastery located off the city island in the northern area in Tha Wasukri sub-district. It is situated on the north bank of Khlong Mueang, the old Lopburi River.
The history of this monastery is rather vague (as most of the ancient monasteries in Ayutthaya). The monastery was likely built in the reign of King Narai (1656-1688).
The story goes that the area once was a garden owned by a wet nurse of King Narai. This wet nurse (Phra Nom) was named Phrayong. Upon her death a monastery was built and named in her honor. Its initial name was Wat Phranom Yong an aggregation of Phranom and Yong. Around 1923, someone spelled the name of the temple slightly
differently, deviating the original meaning of its original name - local people tended not to pronounce the letter "r" and the temple became known as Phanom Yong. The temple was deserted after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.
Wat Phanom Yong was ...
Wat Thammaram (วัดธรรมาราม)
Wat Thammaram prior called Wat Thamma or the Monastery of the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) is located off the city island in the western area of Ayutthaya north of Wat Kasatrathirat.
In situ are monastic structures of modern construction. Remains of the old outer wall, the crystal wall, and the lower part of the old gates still can still be seen.
It is related in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya that on this spot during the siege of Ayutthaya in 1569 Phraya Thamma had set up his stockade to defend the west side of the city of Ayutthaya against the Burmese; an important strategical position because it lies across from Sop Sawan Monastery and was in front of the Rear Palace.
The King of Hongsawadi, Bhureng Noung, planned to launch a decisive attack to seize
Ayutthaya, although Prince Thammaracha of Phitsanulok feared that an attack on the city
would cost dearly in soldiers. He decided to use a ruse instead. He summoned Phraya Chakri, who was one of ...
