Thai Championship. League 2. Women
The Thai Women's League 2 Championship is the second tier in Thailand's women's football pyramid, fostering emerging talents and regional clubs aiming for promotion to the top flight. It plays a crucial role in expanding women's soccer across the kingdom, backed by the Football Association of Thailand and a burgeoning fanbase eager for competitive action.
History and foundation
Women's football in Thailand surged in the 2000s, but Women's League 2 was formally established in 2018 to create a robust competitive structure. The inaugural season featured 8 teams, with Bangkok FC Women clinching the title and promotion. A notable highlight: in 2020, amid the pandemic-shortened season, Chonburi FC Ladies set a record 12-match unbeaten streak. Reforms in 2022 introduced VAR, enhancing officiating standards and drawing more spectators.
Tournament format
The league features 10–12 teams in a double round-robin format—home and away—totaling 20–22 matches per side. Top two teams earn promotion to League 1, while the bottom two face relegation to regional divisions. A playoff determines survival for 9th and 10th places. Games occur on mid-sized regional stadiums (5,000–15,000 capacity), with increasing broadcast coverage.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, reflecting solid defenses and improving attacks. All-time top scorer is Nungnap 'Nung' Srichai (45 goals over three seasons with Sinamas FC), renowned for her pace and dribbling. Standouts include playmaker Pimpimon Pansook (28 assists for Pathum Women) and goalkeeper Chatkali Pongsri (75% save rate in 2023). The league has produced national team stars like Bao Bai.