The win assured Korea Republic a top two finish irrespective of their final Group D clash against Japan, who drew 2-2 with Syria earlier on Monday.
The defeat eliminates Thailand, who lost 3-0 to Japan in their first match.
Korea Republic had the first look at goal in the second minute when Yoon Do-yong’s volley from inside the box crashed against the underside of the bar.
Thai keeper Anut Samran then almost sent the ball into his own net in the sixth minute when his clearance hit Kim Tae-won in the face and bounced just wide of the right post.
Anut was in action again three minutes later, when he tipped a header from striker Kim Gyeol over the bar.
The 12-time champions pushed forward, but it was Thailand who scored in the 23rd minute. Receiving a through ball from Pongsakorn Sangkasopha following a fast break, Yotsakon Burapha ran down the middle of the pitch, evaded a defender’s tackle and sent a fierce shot from outside the box past a rooted Park Sang-young.
Korea Republic, however, were unperturbed and their constant pressure bore fruit in the 32nd minute when Yoon scrambled the ball home from inside a crowded goalmouth following a corner from Lee Chang-woo.
Group D – MD2: Thailand v Korea Republic
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They went on the offensive after the break, and deservedly claimed their second in the 59th minute when Park Seung-soo’s pin-point pass from the left found an unmarked Kim, who had the easiest of tasks of heading the ball in.
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Kim almost netted his second in the 65th minute but saw his shot from the edge of the box take a deflection off Jirapol Sae Lio’s leg before being palmed away by Anut.
The midfielder, however, was not to be denied at his next attempt and found the back of the net in the 86th minute when headed Son Seung-min’s cross past a diving Anut.
Park Seung-Soo added Korea Republic’s fourth just before the 90th minute mark when he received a pass from Kim Seo-jin, ran down the left and curled the ball past the keeper as Korea Republic advanced to the next stage in style.
