International Rugby League continues to expand, with the Sports Authority of Thailand recently approving the Rugby League XIII Sports Association as the registered body to conduct and control the game of Rugby League in the Kingdom of Thailand.
To launch this new chapter in the game's development, Rugby League XIII Sports Association is playing a sanctioned international match against Malta Rugby League on Friday 28 October in the Chiang Mai Provence.
A representative regional match between the Chang Mai Royals (Lanna region representative) vs. Esarn Eagles (Isaan region representative team) will be part of this historic double header.
David Collier, CEO of the Rugby League International Federation, was delighted with the news and looked forward to further advancement of rugby league throughout the ASEAN region.
Over the past five years, Thailand has played matches against, Greece, Japan, the Philippines, Latin Heat and the Cabramatta 9's, while also running a modified domestic competition.
Players from Thailand and Australian eligible Thais have contributed to the ongoing development and progress of the game, with a concentrated effort this year in focusing on the Chiang Mai Provence and the regions north and east of the country.
