BANGKOK, 29 Nov 2014 (AFP) - India's Lahiri saw his lead reduced to just one on the third day of the 72-par $500,000 event, teeing up a dramatic showdown with local hero Thaworn ahead of Sunday's last round.
Lahiri, 27, expressed surprise he managed to end the day still in the lead -- a position he has held since the King's Cup kicked off on Thursday.
A birdie was off-set by a bogey-four on the fifth hole but he later recovered to shoot a four-under-par 68.
"I'm actually surprised to find myself in the lead as I didn't play well today especially on the front-nine. It was quite a struggle there. It felt like every step I took, I took two steps back again," he said after day three, according to a statement released by organisers.
Thaworn -- a comparative veteran at 47 years old who holds an unprecedented 17 titles on the Asian Tour -- put on a masterful round dressed in yellow to honour Thailand's ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrates his 87th birthday next Friday.
"I want more wins. 17 titles is not enough and I'm going for more. It's going to be an exciting day tomorrow as anything can happen and may the best man win," Thaworn said.
Australia's Andrew Dodt ended day three sharing third place with Sutijet Kooratanapisan, Panuphol Pittayarat and Jakraphan Premsirigorn, in a leaderboard heavy with local Thai players.
Leading third round scores at the King's Cup in Khon Kaen:
200 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 65-67-68
201 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68-67-66
203 - Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) 70-68-65
203 - Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 68-69-66
203 - Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 69-65-69
203 - Andrew Dodt (AUS) 69-65-69
204 - Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-69-67
204 - Paul Peterson (USA) 69-68-67
204 - Danthai Boonma (THA) 66-70-68