The 11th edition of the event is also being billed as the 7th SEABA Men's Championship, offering the top two teams berths into the Asian Championship in Japan.

Nipon believes his experience and the team's ability will bear fruit in the five-day event.

"Our players are the cream of the recent Division A competition and they have been training for more than a month. I'm certain I can help the Thai team secure a berth to Japan, even though I'm in charge of the team for the first time," he said.

The team, coached by Chinese trainer Zhao Shuan-min, have at centre Jakkrapan Sinlapapipat, Chaiwat Kae-dam, Thongchai Tipprapai, Nontaphop Wiwatthanapongpet, and Atthaporn Lertmalaiporn.

Wingers are Piyapong Pirun, Sophon Pinitpacharalert, Boonchai Ritthipanyawong, Ratchadech Krua-tiwa and Darongpan Apiromwilaichai, while the guards consist of Mana Jantuma and Kannat Samua-chai.

The round-robin tournament features teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, with the Thai manager singling out the Philippines as the strongest contenders.

"Our team are likely to have an easy match against the Singaporean team in the opener, but we cannot afford to underestimate any of the other teams in the remaining three matches.

"Especially the Filipinos, who are the top-ranked Asean team. Besides, we have not seen them play for a while since they've been out of international competition for the past two years because of an internal conflict," he said.

This year's venue was shifted from Songkhla to Ratchaburi due to the unrest in the southern provinces.

The tournament takes place at the 4,000-seat Provincial Gymnasium, with Malaysia facing Indonesia, and Thailand playing Singapore after the opening ceremony.