BANGKOK - Thailand booked their ticket to the semi-finals of the Asean Football Championship with a 1-0 defeat of Malaysia, who also advanced after the Philippines held Myanmar to a goalless draw.

Sarayoot Chaikamdee's third goal of the campaign was all that separated the two Asian Cup 2007 co-hosts who both went into the final group fixture knowing that victory would guarantee a place in the knockout phase, while the losers would have to hope for a favourable result from the match taking place simultaneously at the Army Stadium.

Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar made just one change to his regular starting XI with Kedah's Thirumurugan Veeran making way for Johor FC midfielder Eddy Helmi, while Norizan's counterpart Chanvit Phalajivin made four changes to the side that started the 4-0 win over the Philippines.

Influential skipper Kiatisuk Senamuang returned to the fold along with Niweat Siriwong, fellow defender Natthaphong Samana and midfielder Pichitphong Choechiu with Choketawee Promrut, Datsakorn Thonglao, Pipat Thonkanya all dropping to the bench while illness ruled out Nataporn Phanrit.

Thailand dominated the opening exchanges but didn't create a clear-cut chance until the 19th minute when a poor goal-kick from Malaysia keeper Mohamad Syamsuri landed at the feet of Suchao Nutnum, whose cross into the box was headed back across goal by Chaikamdee to set up a shooting chance for Kiatisuk.

However, the veteran striker displayed an uncharacteristic lack of composure as he fired the ball high over the Malaysian crossbar.

Thailand should have gone into the break one up when, with a minute of the half left to play, a superb pass from Kiatisuk sent Sarayoot through on goal with only the keeper to beat.

But the 25-year-old hesitated in pulling the trigger allowing Syamsuri to close in on the Vietnam-based striker and block his shot.

Malaysia, whose first-half chances were restricted to a weak Hairuddin Omar header and close-range effort from Khyril Muhymeen, gave the Thais a scare one minute after the restart when a dangerous Hardi Jaafar free-kick was left untouched before being gathered by Kosin Hathairattanakool.

Barely a minute later Thailand took the lead as Sarayoot made amends for his first-half miss, stooping to head home Suree Sukha's cross from the right flank before Kiatisuk almost doubled the lead with a 59th-minute free-kick that rattled off the crossbar.

Things got worse for Malaysia two minutes from time when Irwan Fadzli Idrus picked up his second booking of the game after upending Suchao Nutnum but the Thais couldn't make the numerical advantage count in the remainder of regulation time or in the generous five minutes of stoppage time.