The Thai women's volleyball team lost 3-0 to fourth-ranked Japan in the second match of their 2015 World Grand Prix campaign at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium on Saturday to even their record at 1-1.
Coming off a gruelling five-set win over Serbia the night before, 12th-ranked Thailand turned in a gritty performance over the three close sets (21-25, 22-25, 22-25) but struggled to overcome Japan's strong blockers.
Thailand will now face a crucial showdown on Sunday with the defending and 10-time winner Brazil, ranked second in the world. The match at 4.30pm will be televised live on Channel 7.
The straight-sets victory moves Japan up to second place in Pool A with three points. Brazil have six points, Thailand two and Serbia one.
In seven previous meetings at the tournament, Thailand had lost to Japan just twice. Thailand has now won just two of their last nine World Grand Prix encounters.
Thailand is making its 13th appearance at the annual tournament. The two-time Asian champions' best finish in the Grand Prix was fourth place in 2012. They ended last year's campaign in 12th spot.
Thailand hopes to finish this year's campaign in the 12-team Group 1 and avoid being relegated to a lower division next year.
After the three preliminary rounds (nine matches each), the top five out of the 12 teams will qualify for the Group 1 Finals from July 20-26 in Omaha, Nebraska, where five-time winners the United States have been guaranteed a place as the hosts.
In the other Pool A match on Saturday, Brazil overwhelmed Serbia 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19), following up on its 3-1 defeat of Japan on Friday.
Japan and Serbia will face off in Sunday's other match.