From Thailand Cup to Provincial League : The Dynamic of “Provincialism” and the Power of Patronage System in Thai Football Society

Abstract

           This article aims to study the history of Football in Thai society which focuses on the change in the region. The football competition has constructed the new meaning of each province in nationwide. This phenomenon was different from the former football competitions those included especially teams in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and stick with the ideology of Nationalism or the Elite’s institution. The provinces in Thailand have changed rapidly since the 1980s along the state policy that emphasized the role of central and provincial administration that created the term of “Provincialism” by centralized political power and public resources for the city where provincial offices located. The football teams in provinces were built under the patronage structure in province areas by politicians, provincial capitalists through the organization such as sports association of provinces. It was clear that the success of teams came from the efficiency of these networks. So, the provincialism is distinct from the term of localism which someone claims. It rather reinforced the state ideology.