Friday night's draw for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup first around action has left Thailand fancying a place in the knockout stages of the continent's premier football competition.
The War Elephants are in Group A which is led by former champions and hosts the United Arab Emirates, with the other two countries in the group being India and Bahrain.
The tournament will take place from Jan 5-Feb 1.
The top two teams of each group and four best third-place sides reach the next round.
Thailand's last appearance in the Asian Cup finals was in 2007 when they played host to the tournament along with Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, and were knocked out at the group stage.
The War Elephants' best result in the Asian Cup was recorded in 1972, when they finished third. Thailand hosted that tournament with only six teams participating.
Thailand will meet India for their first match at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, a day after the tournament opener between the two Gulf sides -- the UAE and Bahrain -- on Jan 5.
The War Elephants will then face Bahrain on Jan 10 and take on the hosts on Jan 14, the last day of the round-robin battles.
Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac said he was happy with the outcome of the draw.
"I am pleased with it," said Rajevac, who attended the draw in Dubai.
"The other three teams in the group have a higher Fifa ranking than Thailand, but we are ready to play against every team in the group.
"I believe that we can qualify for the knockout stages. However, we have to study the opponents very carefully. We would also have to adjust our own style of play. I would say everything would depend on our own team.
UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni said: "I am comfortable with the draw and believe that we have a good chance of advancing to the last 16.
"Thailand are an improved side and they have shown their strength in the qualifiers and the recent King's Cup in Thailand. They will be a difficult opponent for the UAE."
India coach Stephen Constantine said: "I think it's a group that gives us expectations. I believe on our day we can beat anybody. Obviously it will not be easy but I think there are possibilities to qualify from this group."
Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup said: "What can I say, we have a very interesting group. We're playing against the hosts in the opening game in front of 50,000 to 60,000 spectators which should be a great game for our team.
"I have heard people saying that our group is not difficult, but whoever has qualified for the Asian Cup finals, they are all strong and have quality."
Meanwhile, defending champions Australia were handed an intriguing draw.
The Socceroos, who beat South Korea 2-1 in the final of the 2015 edition as hosts, have been drawn in Group B with Syria, Jordan and Palestine.
Australia and Jordan have faced each other four times -- all in World Cup qualifying -- with each side winning two games, while Syria's gallant but eventually unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia has made football fans sit up and take notice.
The expanded tournament will see 24 teams battle it out for a US$5 million top prize and a brand new trophy, which was also unveiled at the draw on Friday.
The runners-up in the richest-ever Asian Cup will pocket $3 million while all 24 teams taking part will be awarded $200,000 for merely qualifying.
