Worrawoot Srimaka, assistant coach of Thailand's U23 team, is hoping North Korea will wilt under the burden of expectations when the two sides meet in their opening Group B game of the AFC U23 Championship on Wednesday.
Thailand have been drawn in the same group as defending champions Japan, North Korea and Palestine for the first round action.
The championship kicks off tomorrow with two Group A matches between China and Oman and Qatar and Uzbekistan.
Thailand will play Japan on Saturday and take on Palestine on Jan 16.
Group C consists of Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, while South Korea, Australia, Syria and Vietnam are in Group D.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
After a training session of the national squad at their new practice base at Jiangyin Faster Sport Pitch, where a light drizzle plunged the mercury to 6C, Worrawoot said the prevailing weather would not affect the team's performance.
"We are grateful to the Football Association of Thailand for letting us come here early," said Worrawoot.
"It has helped the team to get used to the cold here. I think it will not cause any problems because we have been here for many days now."
Worrawoot added: "We lost to North Korea in the M-150 Cup in Buri Ram last month, so we know a great deal about their game.
"It [the M-150 Cup] was a warm-up event. Since the North Koreans beat us in that tournament, they will be under pressure to repeat that performance, which should be a good thing for our team."
Worrawoot said: "Our goal is to make it to the knockout stage of the tournament.
"All the players are feeling very motivated and are looking forward to the match with North Korea. It should be an exciting game."
Theerathon joins Kobe
SCG Muang Thong United star Theerathon Bunmathan will join J-League side Vissel Kobe on a one-year loan deal next season.
Vissel Kobe officials will soon be in Thailand to finalise the deal with the defender, who is regarded as Thailand's best left-back at the moment.
The 27-year-old is the third Muang Thong player to join a J-League club.
Midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin is at Consadole Sapporo on a 18-month loan deal, while striker Teerasil Dangda recently signed a one-year loan contract with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.