The local side, featuring stars Paradorn Srichaphan and Danai Udomchoke, will try to reverse their surprising 1-4 defeat to the Japanese squad in Osaka last year.

World 41st-ranked Paradorn is set to kick off the tie against veteran Gouichi Motomura, ranked 473 in the world.

Danai, ranked 115 in the world, will then take on Japanese number one Go Soeda, who is ranked 260 in the world.

Paradorn and his 32-year-old opponent are tied at 3-3 in their head-to-head record.

But the fact that Motomura stunned him in three sets in the 2002 tie at Muang Thong Thani is a reminder for the Thai ace that the Japanese veteran can cause damage despite the heat advantage.

"Last time we played, we both got cramp and I ended up losing the match. I can never write him off because he has also been playing on the pro tour," said Paradorn, who tamed Motomura in three sets last year in Osaka.

Motomura is known for his persistent baseline play, which can force his opponents to lose patience and commit errors. That was the case when he upset Paradorn four years ago at Muang Thong Thani.

"Paradorn is a player with great ability. But I will try my best out there and never give up," said the Japanese number two.

With the absence of Japanese ace Takao Suzuki, who is suffering with a shoulder injury, and the heat of Bangkok, Japan is likely to find it tough going.

But captain Eiji Takeuchi is still confident his team can put up a good fight.

"Although we don't have Takao, our team consists of players who are very fit. We are very well prepared for this tie and will do our best," said Takeuchi, a former Davis Cup player.

Thailand's non-playing captain Thanakorn Sricha-phan said his team had the edge over the visitors but pointed out that the right mental condition would be the key factor that would decide the result.

"Our players are not second to the Japanese side and if you ask if we can finish the tie by the first three rubbers, we have to say we stand a good chance.

"But what I'm concerned about is the mental condition of the players. They are fine now but that may not be the case in the match," he said.

Thailand named Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana for Saturday's doubles against Satoshi Iwabuchi and Toshihide Matsui.

Sunday's reversed singles will start with Paradorn facing Soeda, followed by Danai versus Motomura.

Japan holds a solid record of five wins against one loss over Thailand.

The Kingdom's only victory came on a hot, sunny day in April 2002 at Nonthaburi.

Thailand are bidding to return to the World Group playoffs after making three straight appearances from 2002 to 2004, missing only last year through a first round defeat to Pakistan.

UBC Channel 35 will be screening the matches from 2pm onwards between Friday and Sunday. 

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation