Four rounds of fixtures had taken place when COVID-19 brought the season to a temporary halt at the beginning of March, with Bangkok United and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol out in front with 100 percent records.
The powers that be then took the opportunity during the enforced hiatus to switch the league to the European calendar and now, after more than six months without football, the 16 sides will finally return to the playing field.
With Chiangrai United looking to defend their title, Buriram United desperate to return to their perch and several other suitors also aiming high, the-AFC.com picks out three stories to follow ahead of the big kick-off.
1. Will it finally be Bangkok United’s year?
Second, third, second, fourth. Bangkok United have been in the upper echelons of Thai League 1 for the past four seasons and, even though the 2019 campaign was their lowest finish since 2015, that does not tell the whole story.
Bangkok were part of an enthralling four-way title chase and only dropped off when their form took a dip in the final weeks of the season. They started the current campaign like they meant business, however, with four wins from four an indication they are ready to make up for missed opportunities.
Brenner was the major signing ahead of the season, while Hajime Hosogai joined on loan from Buriram, but this is largely a settled side that have already gelled. Thai internationals Tristan Do, Manuel Bihr and Sanrawat Dechmitr, as well as Brazilian duo Everton and Vander Luiz, already offered plenty of quality within the ranks.
In their perfect start to the season Bangkok netted 10 times, with nine different players on the scoresheet (the other was an own goal). While the ability to spread the goals around is a plus, perhaps one cause for concern will be who steps in for Nelson Bonilla, last season’s top scorer who departed for Port FC.
But overall the capital city side look perfectly placed to put in a real title charge in the 2020-21 season. After last year’s end-of-season frailty, Do admitted it takes time to build a team, perhaps the time for Bangkok to rise to the fore is now.
2. Ambitious duo add intrigue and excitement
When Chiangrai United claimed their first Thai League 1 title in 2019, they upset the established duopoly of Buriram United and Muangthong United, who had between them won the previous 10 championships.
The aforementioned four-way title race was a sign that things may be much more open than previously and a handful of sides will feel they have a realistic chance of being crowned champions this time round, notably the big-spending pair of Port FC and BG Pathum United.
One of Thailand’s more historic clubs, Port finished third in 2019 and also won the FA Cup. Building on that momentum they made a host of exciting signings, with Charyl Chappuis, Adisak Kraisorn and the prolific Heberty – the league’s all-time second-highest scorer – joining from Muangthong, in addition to the arrival of Bonilla.
Perhaps the league’s most intriguing side, Pathum United won Thai League 2 at a canter in 2019. Since returning to the top tier they have signed, among others, Sarach Yooyen from Muangthong, experienced Venezuelan defender Andres Tunez from Buriram and former Borussia Dortmund player Mitsuru Maruoka, while Thitiphan Puangjan returned from a loan spell in Japan.
As the season gets set to resume Port and Pathum occupy third and fourth place respectively, unbeaten and on 10 points apiece. While the pair's title credentials remain to be seen, their respective signings acted as an indication of their aspirations ahead of a season that is sure to excite.
3. What next for Chiangrai United?
Chiangrai United’s rise to the pinnacle of Thai football has been remarkable, with back-to-back FA Cups in 2017 and 2018 – and a League Cup in the latter – followed by the most dramatic of season finales in 2019 as they were crowned champions of their country on the final day of the season.
The question for the provincial northern club is can they maintain such high standards? With a debut AFC Champions League campaign set to resume in the weeks ahead and challenges likely to come from the aforementioned trio, as well as Buriram, they face a hugely demanding campaign.
The defending champions will also have to contend with being the team everyone wants to beat, Bangkok United’s 4-1 win over them in late February a sign of how wrong things can go when off their game.
Chiangrai have largely put their faith in the side that won the title, although Brazilian Jaja joins countrymen Bill and Brinner. The trio of captain Phitiwat Sukjittammakul, Sivakorn Tiatrakul and emerging youngster Ekanit Panya, all of who made their international debuts in 2019, will undoubtedly be key once more.
A win, two draws and a defeat was hardly the worst start to the season but Chiangrai already find themselves seven points off the pace. With the AFC Champions League’s resumption around the corner, a strong September, starting at home to Prachuap on Saturday, could be crucial to their title aspirations.
Photos: Bangkok United, Port FC
