Milovan Rajevac new Thailand football coach

FAT technical chief Witthaya Laohakul announces the appointment of the new national coach at a media conference on Wednesday. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has appointed front-runner Milovan Rajevac from Serbia the new head coach of the national football team.

He will start work on May 4, before Thailand's next scheduled match, against the United Arab Emirates, in a World Cup qualifier in Bangkok on June 13.

Milovan Rajevac

The announcement of the new coach for the War Elephants was made at a packed press conference by FAT technical chief Witthaya Laohakul.

Rajevac, 63, will replace Thai coach Kiatisak Senamuang. who stepped down on March 31 following heavy defeats in World Cup qualifiers.

Thailand are out of contention for a ticket to Russia 2018 after six losses and one draw in Group B of Asia's final qualifying round, with three games remaining.

Rajevac steered Ghana to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup. He has also coached Qatar and Algeria and is renowned for instilling discipline.

According to reports, his asking salary was two million baht a month - the same amount the FAT paid Kiatisak.