Thailand will bid for hosting the 2004 Asian Cup Soccer Championship finals along with four countries, the Nation reported in Bangkok on January 13.

Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and China are the others in the bidding to host the 13th edition of the championship.

Worawi Makudi, secretary-general of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), was quoted as saying that Thailand would make a strong bid to host the 2004 finals. This year's edition was scheduled from October 12 to 29 in Lebanon.

Of the five bidders, the three Middle East countries have already organized the event once apiece.

The 2004 host should be a country from East Asia as the last two hosts, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon, were from West Asia, Worawi said.

"Thailand and China have a better chance of winning the bid," he said.

Worawi said Thailand, with its rich experience from hosting the Asian Games, should be ready to stage the event, recognized as the most elite soccer tournament in the continent.

The result of the bid will be decided by 19 Asian Football Council (AFC) executives during this year's Cup in October. (Xinhua)