The 2015 Thai Premier League season, which kicked off on Friday, is expected to be one of the most exciting campaigns.
Buriram United celebrate winning the TPL title.
The TPL now has 18 teams after it had 20 teams last season following legal problems. The three newcomers are Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi and Navy.
While champions Buriram United are favourites to win their third straight title, bitter rivals SCG Muang Thong United are returning with a vengeance after settling for fifth place last season.
Chonburi, who were second-best in the TPL and FA Cup last term, hope to move a step farther this season.
BEC Tero's Chanathip Songkrasin.
BEC Tero, who ended their title drought with win against Buriram in last season’s League Cup final, and FA Cup winners Bangkok Glass could also be contenders.
Buriram surprisingly released three forwards — Adisak Kraisorn, Javier Patino and Carmelo Gonzalez — after winning the title last term.
However, they could be stronger with their new players including Thailand internationals Prakit Deeprom and Naruebodin Weerawatnodom, who both played well for the national team, which won the AFF Suzuki Cup in December.
As for foreign players, Buriram signed New Zealand international Kayne Vincent, South Korean Go Seul-Ki and Brazilian strikers Diogo Luis Santo and Gilberto Macena.
Santo quickly made his presence felt by scoring the only goal in Buriram’s win against Bangkok Glass in the recent King’s Trophy match.
Buriram are coached by Brazilian Alexandre Gama and the Thunder Castle have vowed to sweep all domestic titles.
“We want to win all three titles [the TPL, FA Cup and League Cup],’’ said club chairman Newin Chidchob, whose team claimed the three crowns in 2013.
Muang Thong had an embarrassing campaign last year when they were empty-handed and finished fifth in the TPL for their lowest league position since gaining promotion to the top flight in 2009.
The Kirins lost their top striker Teerasil Dangda in mid-season after the Thailand international joined Spanish La Liga club Almeria in July in a one-year loan deal.
Army United president Udomdej Sitabutr.
However, Teerasil terminated his contract with Almeria last month and will play for Muang Thong this season.
Teerasil will play alongside Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva, who joined Muang Thong in mid-season last year.
Owned by sports media empire Siam Sport Syndicate, Muang Thong have brought in former Japan defender Naoaki Aoyama and Thailand forward Chananan Pombupha, who is nursing an injury and expected to return in April.
Club director Ronnarit Suewaja is confident that Muang Thong will become successful again.
“We are at the beginning of a new era. Croatian coach Dragan Talajic is in his second season with us and should know the players better,’’ he said.
“We have several dangerous attacking players including Teerasil, Cleiton, Wuthichai [Tathong] and Chananan. I want to say that we are ready to bring back glory.”
Chonburi came close to winning two titles last year but finished empty-handed.
Japanese Masahiro Wada resigned as coach of Chonburi to shoulder responsibility for the failure.
Jadet Meelarp rejoins Chonburi from Chainat, having guided the Sharks to win the TPL title in 2007 and the FA Cup in 2008.
With Jadet as coach, Chonburi are confident that they should do better than last season.
“Our goal is to win at least one trophy. We have several good players such as Warut Supsoh from Port and Puritat Jarikanon from BEC Tero Sasana,’’ said Jadet.
Chonburi have one of the most lethal strikeforces in the league with Brizilian forwards Leandro Assumpcao and Thiago Cunha, he said.
Bangkok Glass lift the FA Cup trophy after beating Chonburi.
They also have several Thailand internationals including Adul Lasoh, Suttinun Phukhom, Kroekrit Taweekarn and Nurul Sriyamkem.
Veteran stars Therdsak Chaiman and Pipob On-mo remain with the team.
“I believe this will be a good season for Chonburi,’’ Jadet said.
BEC Tero finished third last season behind Buriram and Chonburi.
Under new coach Bozidar Bandovic, who previously worked with Buriram, BEC are led by Chanathip Songkrasin.
The diminutive star is regarded as Thailand’s best midfielder at the moment. He was a key member of the Thai team which won the AFF Suzuki Cup in December and was named the best player of the tournament.
Chonburi striker Thiago Cunha, left.
The Fire Dragons have signed Brazilian striker Rodrigo Dias from Cruzeiro and Thailand striker Adisak from Buriram. Other key players include defenders Adisorn Promrak, Tanaboon Ketsarat and Diakite. Captain Rangsan Viwatchaichok will partner Jirawat Makarom in midfield.
“We aim to win at least one trophy,’’ said club director Robert Procureur. “We have a strong academy. We also have several Thailand internationals including Chanathip who will help bring success.”
Bangkok Glass finished a disappointing 10th last season but they won the FA Cup for their first trophy since their establishment in 2006.
The Glass Rabbits have hired a new coach in Spaniard Ricardo Rodriguez. They have brought in striker Leandro de Oliveira from Port and former Australia defender Matt Smith from Brisbane Roar.
Club president Pavin Bhirombhakdi said: “After we won the FA Cup, we are looking forward to more success. We aim to win the TPL title although it will not be easy.”
Port have become Port MTI after Muang Thai Insurance chief Nuanphan Lamsam and the club made a joint venture agreement.
Teerasil Dangda, right, trains at Muang Thong United.
Nuanphan is now CEO of the team whose new logo is a horse, replacing a lion.
“A horse can move forward fast,’’ she said. “We are like a war horse which is ready for any battles.”
Port are notorious for their rowdy fans and Nuanphan said she would hold activities for fans in an attempt to change their attitude.
Nuanphan, who is also manager of the national women’s team, is confident that the team, coached by Somchai Chuayboonchum, is good enough to finish in the top five.
Normally a relegation struggler, Army United defied all the odds to finish ninth last season.
New Army United president Gen Udomdej Sitabutr said that was a good performance but he wanted to see the club become better this term.
“We aim to become one of the top teams this season,’’ said Udomdej, who is also army chief.
Army United are coached by former Tottenham Hotspur and England star Gary Stevens.
Suphanburi could be a dark horse in the title race with Thailand midfielder Charyl Chappuis and Spanish forward Carmelo Gonzalez.
Navy and Saraburi are among the favourites to make a quick return to League One, while fellow newcomers Nakhon Ratchasima, backed by Mazda, should be able to avoid the drop.