A late goal from Sasalak Haiprakhon piled more misery on struggling SCG Muang Thong United as champions Buriram United took all three points with a 1-0 win in the Thai League action at their Chang Arena on Sunday night.
Sasalak's long range shot from just outside the box deflected off Muang Thong midfielder Sarach Yooyen and flew past the wrong-footed Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam with 11 minutes remaining.
The Thunder Castle moved up to second place with 22 points from 10 matches, just three behind leaders Port FC, with two games in hand.
Chiang Rai, also on 22 points from 12 games, slipped to third place.
The Kirins remained at the bottom of the 16-team standings with just eight points from 12 games.
Earlier, True Bangkok United defeated Samut Prakan City 2-1 at Thammasat stadium.
After a controversial 1-1 draw against leaders Port last Sunday which saw their midfielder Sanrawat Detchmitr receiving an eight-game ban for punching the referee, Bangkok United returned to winning ways with goals from Nelson Bonilla (49th) and Tristan Do (56th) after Ibson Melo had put the visitors ahead on 36th minutes.
Bangkok United are fourth on 19 points while Samut Prakan, also on 19, are fifth.
In the other game, Worachit Kanitsribampen scored the only goal of the match in the 41st minute as the Sharks beat Ratchaburi at their Chonburi Stadium.
Chonburi moved up to ninth in the standings with 15 points while Ratchaburi are 11th with 13 points.
In Saturday's late game, Suphanburi failed to win for the fourth successive game, managing only a goalless draw at home against PTT Rayong.
