Three-time Asian Tour winner Poom Saksansin posted a second six-under-par round of 64 to take a slender lead into the weekend at the Singha Pattaya Open, leading the field by one shot at the Laem Chabang International Country Club.

Poom, who dropped just one shot shot in his round, faces a strong challenge from some of Thailand’s best known golfers, including overnight leader Kosuke Hamamoto who shares second place on -11 with Heungchol Joo of Korea.

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit holds solo third place on -10 while Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, Sangchai Kaewcharoen, Natipong Srithong, Phachara Khongwatmai and Itthipat Buranatanyarat share fifth place with Matthew Cheung of Hong Kong and Korea’s Woohyun Kim. Danthai posted the best round of the day with an eight-under-par 62.

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

“I just tried to enjoy the game today,” said Poom after his round. “My putting is good right now and my driving was good, better than last week. My coach came down on Tuesday to help me with some things, helped to fix my swing.

“The course was nice, the greens are really fast but it was hot out there. No rain, which was good, better than last week,” he added.

“Tomorrow I’m just going to try to make as many birdies as possible. I think the winning score is going to be at least -20, and the course is quite open. It’s pretty soft and smooth so I think there are a lot of birdies out there.

“It’s a strong field, and it’s better to be in front than behind, but I think I’ll need to play well to win this tournament. It’s difficult to predict but I’ll try my best.”

Danthai Boonma of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.

In 12th place, on eight-under-par, Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei and Paul San of Malaysia maintained international honours against the Thai group of Pawan Petchyoo, Pawin Ingkhapradit, Tawit Polthai and Charng-Tai Sudsom.

Matt Killen of England, India’s Chikkarangappa S, Wocheng Ye of China and Justin Quiban of the Philippines finished the day with a share of 18th place on seven-under-par, together with Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha, Phanuvich Onchu, Ekpharit Wu, Supravee Phatam, KK Limbhasut, Weerawish Narkprachar, Nopparat Panicphol and Sarun Sirithon.

The second round of the THB4 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, enjoyed the benefit of fine weather and was completed on schedule. The cut at -3 will see 70 players making it to the weekend.

Main picture: Poom Saksansin of Thailand pictured in action at the Singha Pattaya Open. Picture courtesy of the All Thailand Golf Tour.