Thongchai, who won the tournament in 2003, carded a final round 72 for a one-stroke victory over Filipino legend Frankie Minoza at the magnificent Thai Country Club.

Minoza tied for the lead briefly at the halfway stage of an enthralling final day shootout before shooting a 70.

Charlie Wi of Korea took third place after a 69 in the 650,000-dollar event.

Thai Thaworn Wiratchant's hopes dipped dramatically on the back nine after he ran up a bogey and double-bogey on the 15th and 16th holes, finding water on both occasions, after battling hard for the lead with Thongchai.

Thongchai's popular home triumph extended his impressive streak of winning a title every year since 2000 and also tied Thaworn's record eight victories in Asia.

But the former paratrooper had a jittery finish, driving into thick rough on 18 and finding a bunker before getting to the green in four.

Two putts later, however, Thongchai was able to celebrate a first title of 2006, worth 104,000 dollars, after an 11-under-par 277 for the week.

"I feel very happy, I was very lucky this week," said Thongchai, whose victory moved him to second place on the final UBS Order of Merit.

"It is good to win in Thailand. I feel great as I tried my best. My driver and putting worked this week. My putting was good coming in and I made everything. I just missed a few putts this week. It was very good."

Taking a two-shot lead into the final round, Thongchai, whose last victory in Asia was at the 2005 Malaysian Open, started superbly with three birdies over his opening four holes.

But he made uncharacteristic errors by dropping three shots on the fifth and sixth holes.

He was caught by Thaworn and Minoza at the turn where the trio were tied on 11-under-par but Thongchai stepped up a gear by rattling home a 20-foot birdie on 11 to regain the lead.

Another eight foot birdie conversion on the 14th established a three-shot advantage as his rivals stumbled down the stretch.

Agence France-Presse