The veteran forward capped his emotional return to the national team after more than two years by inspiring Chanwit Pholchivin's side to victory in the King's Cup tournament last month.

Kiartisak took the brunt of criticism following an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at home to North Korea in the World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign. Left out in the cold since the North Korea nightmare, the veteran captain showed he still has a huge desire with a string of impressive displays. He led the team by example by scoring two goals to help Thailand lift the title in the quadrangular event.

The 33-year-old Kiartisak is now looking forward to the Asean Football Championship, formerly known as the Tiger Cup, where he aims to help the three-time champions get back to winning ways after a disastrous campaign in the previous edition where Thailand, as the title holders, suffered a premature exit.

The Kingdom has been drawn in Group B along with Burma, Malaysia and the Philippines, with the top two teams progressing into the semi-finals.

The Khon Kaen-born striker knows Chanwit's men need to be at their best if they are to avoid a repeat embarrassment, particularly against the Burmese.

"The strongest opponents are the Burmese as they won the Merdeka Cup last year while Malaysia and the Philippines can be managed," said Kiartisak, who had a brief spell at English League One outfit Huddersfield Town.

"I don't expect to win the group because we've had a relatively short time for preparation so it would be more reasonable to focus on each game and play to our capacity in every match."

Kiartisak said he felt uncomfortable when people seemed to look at him as the team's saviour. He said he could not achieve anything of his own without the help of the other players.

"When I play in the Asean Championship, it doesn't mean we'll be successful. That is because football is a team sport not an individual one. If it was an individual sport, I could have won only a few matches.

"In fact, what I can do for the team is to use my experience in controlling the play, passing the ball for goal attempts and encouraging the players," added Kiartisak, who is undecided on playing in the Asian Cup in July.

Thailand play Burma tomorrow at Suphachalasai stadium. Channel 7 will televise the match live from 7pm.