Former champions BG Pathum United fended off a spirited challenge by Khon Kaen United and claimed a narrow 3-2 victory in their Thai League 1 encounter on Friday night.
Pathum United coach Makoto Teguramori was happy with the outcome but rued the mistakes committed by his men.
"It was a good game. We got the first goal very early, but let them equalise because of our own mistake," he said.
"We fared better after the break and got two goals. Khon Kaen put us under a lot of pressure and although we conceded another goal, we were able to claim three points."
Danilo Alves put the Rabbits ahead in the fifth minute, but the King Cobras levelled the score on 31 minutes when Steeven Langil converted a penalty after Warit Choothong fouled Khon Kaen's Pattarapol Jansuwan inside the box.
Veteran Thailand striker Teerasil Dangda struck early in the second half and Singapore's Ikhsan Fandi made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute. Khon Kaen were awarded another spot kick late in the match when Chanathip Songkrasin fouled Khon Kaen's Chitnupong Choti and Langil converted it.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Thiland (FAT) president Nualphan Lamsam had a meeting with national team coach Masatada Ishii on Saturday to discuss the War Elephants' two remaining 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying games against China and Singapore.
The team will start training on May 29. They play China away on June 6 before hosting Singapore on June 11.
Thailand still have chance to qualify for the third and final stage of the Asian zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.