SAMUT PRAKAN, Thailand -- Thongchai Jaidee's steady play kept him in the lead with an 11-under- par 205 after Saturday's third round of the Volvo Masters.

Determined to regain the title he won three years ago, Thailand's Thongchai carded a 3-under-par 69 to remain on track in his bid to win his first trophy of the 2006 Asian Tour season.

The two-time Asian Tour no. 1, whose last victory came in Malaysia in February 2005, stumbled on the third hole where he bogeyed before knocking down birdies in the fourth, seventh, ninth and 10th holes. He finished two shots ahead of fellow countryman Prayad Marksaeng and another Thai, Thaworn Wiratchant.

Veteran Marksaeng, 40, shot a 4-under 68 for a total of 207. He shares second place with Thaworn and Malaysian Iain Steel, who enjoyed the days best score with 6-under 66s.

Filipino Frankie Minoza is alone in fifth place after a 4-under 68 which left him at 8-under 208.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh, who will end the season as the new no. 1 on the Asian Circuit regardless of his results here, landed round three on even par for a 6-under 210 total. He is at joint sixth along with Australian Brad Kennedy, South Korean Charlie Wi, Thai Prom Meesawat, Australian David Bransdon and American Edward Loar.

"I stuck to my game plan and played very well. The greens are very hard. I am just trying to make two putts each time. It was also windy out there so hard to keep the ball on the fairway. I am sure the wind caused a big problem for the players today," Thongchai said at day's end.

"There are great players here so it will be tough," the Thai said. "I feel confident about tomorrow. I don't want to say too much but I came here to win. I have been working hard on my game to play well here for the past two weeks."

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