Thailand face a tough assignment at the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup after having been drawn against title-holders Singapore and arch-rivals Malaysia.
According to the draw, released yesterday, they will be joined in Group B by the winner of the qualifying round, which will be played in October between hosts Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Brunei.
Co-hosts and 2008 champions Vietnam are in Group A alongside the Philippines, Indonesia and the qualifying round runners-up.
This year's tournament, co-hosted by four-time winners Singapore, will run from Nov 22-Dec 20. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals.
The semi-finals and the final will be played on a home and away basis from Dec 6-20.
Three-time champions Thailand
lost to Singapore in the 2012 final.
While both Vietnam and Indonesia failed to make it out of their respective groups two years ago and they will be hoping to atone in this year's competition.
Worawi Makudi, the president of the Football Association of Thailand, predicted a closely fought tournament.
"The standard of football in Southeast Asian has improved a lot and all the teams now have practically the same standard," he said. "Therefore, we have to prepare our team well and must not underestimate anyone.
"To play in Singapore will be good for us because we have many Thai workers in Singapore and they are ready to come and support our team."
Worawi added he will hold a meeting to discuss with Kiatisak 'Zico' Senamuang whether he would like to take on the job as head coach of the senior national team. The former Thailand striker is currently coach of the Asian Games (U23) squad.
"It depends on him [Kiatisak], whether he wants to be the coach for the senior team or not," Worawi said.
Thailand will begin their campaign with a match against Singapore on Nov 23. Their second match will be against on Malaysia on Nov 26 and on Nov 29 they will face the qualifying round winner.
Meanwhile Vietnam's Japanese coach Toshiya Miura has high hopes for his team.
"We are a developing squad but go into the AFF Suzuki Cup with great optimism!," said Miura.