After drawing 0-0 in the first leg at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday, Tan Cheng Hoe's side knew any score draw would be enough to seal their spot in the final due to the tournament's away goal rule.
The War Elephants took the lead twice at the Rajamangala Stadium, but the Harimau Malaya responded accordingly each time.
Malaysia defender Irfan Zakaria unfortunately scored an own goal in the 21st minute, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute replacing the injured Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak.
The Thais' joy only lasted six minutes though, as Malaysia full-back Syahmi Safari made it 1-1 with a contender for the goal of the tournament.UNLUCKY ?? MALAYSIA! ?
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) December 5, 2018
Irfan Zakaria inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to open the scoring for ?? Thailand!#THAvMAS #AFFSuzukiCup18 #WearYourPride pic.twitter.com/yoKvQI6AJI
Malaysia found themselves behind again in the 64th minute with Pansa Hemviboon finding the back of the net, but Norshahrul Idlan Talaha bagged his fifth goal of the tournament from close range seven minutes later.WHAT A GOAL!
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) December 5, 2018
Syahmi Safari puts ?? Malaysia in charge of the tie with a ?? stunner from distance against ?? Thailand!#THAvMAS #AFFSuzukiCup18 #WearYourPride pic.twitter.com/J7Hb7Iclh0
Thailand had an opportunity to regain the lead from the penalty spot in injury time when Syahmi was sent off for a handball inside the penalty area.71' GOAL! Malaysia are level! 2-2!
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) December 5, 2018
Who else but Norshahrul Idlan Talaha! The forward is on hand to convert Syamer's low cross after some good wing play by Malaysia.
If it stays like this, Malaysia will be through to the Final! #THAvMAS #AFFSuzukiCup18 #WearYourPride pic.twitter.com/8wtBfXwLZn
However, Adisak Kraisorn, the tournament's top scorer with eight goals, uncharacteristically blasted it over the bar and ended his side's hopes of reaching the final.
Malaysia, who won the tournament once in 2010, will face either Vietnam or the Philippines in the final, with the former having a 2-1 aggregate lead ahead of Thursday's match.