Thai tennis stars put up a gallant fightback on the last day of their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group 2 third-round encounter but couldn't stop Lebanon from claiming the coveted elevation to Group 1 next year.
Twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana kicked off the Thai rally with a crushing doubles victory before Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul evened the odds for the home team by taking the first reverse singles, but inexperienced Phalaphoom Kovapitukted lost the deciding rubber at the National Tennis Centre, Muang Thong Thani.
Trailing 2-0 after conceding both singles rubbers on the opening day on Saturday, Sonchat and Sanchai proved too good for the Lebanese pair of Giovani Samaha and Jad Ballout to win 6-0, 6-3.
The magnitude of the twins' victory jolted the confidence of Lebanon players and Wishaya benefitted from it a great deal as he prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 over Benjamin Hassan in a battle that lasted more than two hours.
Phalapoom was never expected to pose any serious challenge to Lebanon's No.1 Hady Habib and his best was not enough to help Thailand realise their dream of making it to the region's top group next year. Phalapoom was beaten 6-3, 6-3.
Pol Col Wassa Wassanon, assistant manager of the Thai team, said: "Though we lost today, it was an encouraging show by our young players. They need a couple of years to develop into better players."
Thai team captain Weerapat Dokmaiklee said: "I only have praise for my players. We were down 2-0 after the first day so it was always going to be an uphill battle. They all put in their best efforts."
Veteran Sanchai played down the Thai failure to earn promotion, saying: "We have a young lot of players and they have all improved. I would say our performances in the Davis Cup matches have been satisfactory."
Wishaya also echoed Sanchai's sentiments, but added: "Personally I am relieved. I had to retire from the opening singles yesterday [Saturday] so I am happy to have made amends today."
Phalapoom admitted that he couldn't match his opponent. "Everyone knew that I was the underdog," he said. "I tried my best but I think I need to learn a lot more and improve my game a great deal."