MUANG THONG STILL LEAD; REID WILL STAY WITH THAILAND

Thai international midfielder Phichipong Cheuichiew scored the only goal in the game off in the 63rd minute to fend off Chonburi FC, who remained on second, after their easy 3-0 victory over defending champions Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).

Ekaphan Inthasen scored the opener on 34 minutes as Welshman Michael Byrne nailed the second goal of the game two minutes before the break.

Pipop On-mo then put the match beyond contention with the third and final goal in the 55th minute.

The win has allowed Chonburi to remain on second with a point adrift of Muang Thong.

Bangkok Glass are still third when they came from behind to beat Samut Songkhram 2-1 as BEC Tero Sasana thrashed hosts Osotspa 3-0 at the Thanarom Ground.

In the other matches, Thai Port FC’s Pipat Thonkanya netted the winner in their 2-1 victory over Navy Rayong at the Rayong Stadium, Pattaya United beating Bangkok United 2-0 and Chula United drew 1-1 with TOT FC at the Chulalongkorn Stadium.

In the meantime, Dato Worawi Makudi, the president of the FA of Thailand (FAT), said that Peter Reid will continue as the national coach of Thailand.

Worawi’s statement came after he met the Englishman at a Thai restaurant in Manchester on Saturday night.

“Everything has become clear. We have reached a conclusion that Reid will remain as Thailand’s coach. He is likely to return to Thailand this week,” said Worawi.

“He did not sign a contract with Stoke. He just helped his friend. He cannot go anywhere at the moment because he is still under contract with the FAT.”

Reid had signed a four-year contract with the FAT last September but earlier this week, he told the English media that he wanted to return to England as the assistant coach to Tony Pulis at Stoke City.

The former Sunderland and Leeds manager will return to Thailand to prepare his squad for their next Asian Cup 2011 qualifying matches.

Thailand travel to Singapore on 14 November before the return tie in Bangkok four days later.

Reid is also in charge of Thailand’s Under-23 squad for the SEA Games.

CURRENT THAI PREMIER LEAGUE STANDINGS (after 22 matches)

1. Muang Thong United 47pts (+20)

2. Chonburi FC 46pts (+15)

3. Bangkok Glass 43pts (+11)

4. Osotspa M-150 38pts (+5)

5. BEC Tero 37pts (+12)

6. Thai Port FC 36pts (+6)

7. TOT FC 28pts (-2)

8. Pattaya United 26pts (+1)

9. Bangkok United 25pts (-7)

10. TTM-Samut Sakhon 24pts (-2)

11. Samut Songkhram 24pts (-8)

12. Navy Rayong 23pts (-4)

13. PEA 23pts (-7)

14. Nakhon Pathom 21pts (-10)

15. Sri Racha 17pts (-10)

16. Chula United 15pts (-20)