Thailand
Thailand Tobacco Monopoly Football Club was a Thai football club founded in 1963 and originally based in Bangkok. The club competed in the Thai Premier League and their home ground varied throughout their history due to multiple relocations. Their most notable achievement was winning the Thai Premier League title in 2005, along with one Thai League 2 title and one Kor Royal Cup. The club was dissolved in 2015 after being relegated to the Regional League.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Thailand Tobacco Monopoly Football Club was formed in 1963 as the works team of the company of the same name. The club was one of the oldest football clubs in Thailand and maintained a presence in Thai football since the game became professional in the 1996-97 season. The club underwent numerous name changes and relocations throughout its existence, operating under various identities including TTM-Samut Sakhon F.C., TTM F.C.-Phichit, TTM-Chiangmai F.C., and others before ultimately being dissolved.
Most recent season and achievements
In their final season in 2015, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly F.C. finished 19th in the second tier and were relegated to the Regional League. Following this relegation, the club made the decision to dissolve, ending their 52-year existence in Thai football.
History
Early years
TTM began their professional era in the 1996-97 Thailand Soccer League alongside 17 other teams. As this inaugural season used a traditional league format, the bottom six teams faced relegation to form a new feeder league. TTM was among these relegated clubs and would not return to the Thai Premier League until the 2001-02 season, when they won their first silverware by claiming the Thai Division 1 League title.
Successful period
Upon their return to the top flight, TTM established themselves as a mid-table team, finishing 8th in their first three seasons back. While they remained comfortably above the relegation zone, they struggled to challenge the league's leading teams. Their breakthrough came in the 2004-05 Thai League season when they achieved their greatest success, winning their first and only league title with a record of 9 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses.
Crisis and recovery
Following their championship triumph, TTM faced disappointment in continental competition. In July 2005, they participated in the ASEAN Club Championship but performed poorly, letting a 2-goal lead slip against hosts DPMM and suffering a 3-1 defeat to Tampines Rovers. Their continental struggles continued when they were disqualified from the 2006 AFC Champions League for failing to register paperwork on time, despite being drawn in Group F with Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, Tokyo Verdy, and Arema.
Current period
The 2009 restructuring of Thai football forced company-based teams to become sports entities, leading to TTM's series of relocations. They first moved to Samut Sakhon Province, becoming TTM F.C. Samut Sakhon, then relocated to Phichit Province as TTM F.C. Phichit for the 2010 season. In 2012, they moved to Chiang Mai, but this proved disastrous as they finished bottom and were relegated from the Thai Premier League. The club was largely rejected by local supporters who remained loyal to Chiang Mai FC. After brief stays in Lopburi (2013) and a return to Bangkok (2014), the club's decline culminated in their 2015 dissolution.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Thailand Tobacco Monopoly F.C. achieved notable success in domestic competitions throughout their history. Their crowning achievement was winning the Thai League 1 championship in 2005. The club also claimed the Thailand League 2 title in 2000, which secured their promotion back to the top flight. Additionally, they won the Kor Royal Cup in 2006, adding to their domestic trophy collection.
Traditional Rivals
The source material does not provide specific information about traditional rivals of Thailand Tobacco Monopoly F.C.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Nicknames
The club was commonly known as TTM, an abbreviation of their full name Thailand Tobacco Monopoly.
Stadium
Throughout their existence, TTM played at various stadiums due to their multiple relocations. During their time in Samut Sakhon, games were played at the Samut Sakhon Stadium. In their final years, when they returned to Bangkok in 2014, the club ground-shared with Customs United F.C.