Prom Meesawat will be seeking his third successive win and fourth overall when the Singha Pattaya Open tees off today.
Prom Messawat is determined to add to his three Pattaya Open titles this week.
But he will face a tough challenge from his compatriots, led by Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng, at the Asean PGA Tour event at Burapha Golf Club in Chon Buri.
The 28-year-old Prom, who won last year's edition by three strokes, said he wants to win to boost his confidence for the rest of the season.
"I really want to win three times in a row," said the player known as the 'Big Dolphin', who also won in Pattaya in 2006. "Winning here is important. The previous two wins revived my career."
Prayad confirmed his participation at the last minute. He had been scheduled to play at this week's Koen Homemate Cup in Japan but had to withdraw from the tournament due to a sore elbow.
Prayad is seeking his fourth tittle of the year and second on the Asean PGA Tour after his win at the season-opening Singha Esan Open in Khon Kan.
Other Thai contenders include Chawalit Plaphol, Thammanoon Sriroj, Thanyakon Khrongpha and Gunn Charoennkul.
In Taiwan, Thailand yesterday shared the lead with Japan after the opening round of the Queen Sirikit Cup.
Ornnicha Konsunthea (72) and Benyapa Niphatsophon (73) scored a total of 145 in the team event.
Supamas Sangchan, considered Thailand's best player, failed to live up to expectations by shooting a 75.
Thailand, who are looking for their maiden title at the annual competition, and Japan were two shots ahead of South Korea on 147.
In the individual event, Ornnicha posted a 72 to be tied for second with Park Gyeol of South Korea and Chang Yu-Hsin of Taiwan, two strokes behind Haruka Morita in the lead.