Defending champions Thailand marched into the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games final after putting on a masterclass to rout Indonesia 5-0 in the second semifinal at the Singapore Sports Hub on Saturday night.
It was an Indonesian fan's worst nightmare as the young Garudas struggled to cope with the swift passing style of the Thais, with Nurul Sriyankem and Rungrat Phumichantuk playing their wide roles to perfection.
A brace from Rungrat and one apiece for Chanathip Songkrasin, Thitiphan Puangjan and Narubadin Weeratwatnodom put them through to Monday's final where they will face Myanmar, who defeated Vietnam 2-1 in Saturday's first semifinal.
Rungrat carved out the first chance of the game in the third minute when he provided a cut-back to Chananan Pombubpha, who failed to connect his shot cleanly.
Indonesia had a free kick in the 11th minute when Narubadin was adjudged to have fouled Yandi Sofyan Munawar. Syaiful Indra Cahya curled a brilliant effort towards goal only for goalkeeper Chanin Sae-ear to pull off a superb save.
The Indonesians simply had no answer to Thailand's slick pass-and-move style which saw them dominate proceedings for much of the game.
Choketawee Promrut's team got their second goal of the night in the 29th minute when Nurul's pinpoint corner fell to the head of Thitiphan who made no mistake.
It was target practice for the junior War Elephants for the rest of the half, with the likes of Nurul, Rungrat and Thitiphan taking turns to shoot at will.
Aji Santoso brought in striker Muchlis Hadi Ning in the 50th minute to try and turn things around. But before he could touch the ball, Thailand went three up.
Another cross by Nurul in the 51st minute found Rungrat unmarked in the box and the winger headed in his second of the game with deadly accuracy.
Indonesia were faced with further embarrassment some six minutes later when right-back Narubadin netted his second goal of the tournament. After a surging run he whipped his shot past Tegu Amiruddin for Thailand's fourth of the game and 20th of the tournament.
Thai coach Choketawee showed that the win was only a formality when he took off captain Sarach Yooyen. The War Elephants still continued to dominate possession while the Indonesians chased shadows and never saw much of the ball.
Frustration began creeping into Santoso's team and tackles went flying in on Artit Daosawang and Nurul. Their teammates were left seething when Japanese referee Hiroyuki Kimura ignored their pleas to penalise the Indonesians.
With one minute remaining, Thailand's star playmaker Chanathip put the icing on the cake with a cool finish into the bottom left corner after Peerapat Notechaiya found him with a simple pass.
With the blue half of the stadium cheering in unison, the referee blew the full time whistle to put Thailand through to their second consecutive SEA Games final.
They will take on Myanmar on Monday with their sights set on retaining the gold medal they won in 2013.
Thailand: Chanin Sae-ear (GK), Peerapat Notechaiya, Artit Puangjan, Tanaboon Kesarat (Adison Promrak 65'), Narubadin Weerawatnodom, Sarach Yooyen (C) (Siwakorn Chakkuprasart 60'), Thitiphan Puangjan, Nurul Sriyanjem, Rungrat Phumichantuk, Chanathip Songkrasin, Chananan Pombubpha (Chenrop Samphaodi 69')
Indonesia: Teguh Amiruddin (GK), Vava Mario Yagalo (Zalnando 61'), Syaiful Indra Cahya, Hansamu Yama Pranata, Manahati Lestusen (C), Evan Dimas, Adam Alis Setyano, Yandi Sofyan Munawar (Muchlis Hadi Ning 50'), Zulfiandi Zulfiandi, Paulo Aktavianus (Muhammad Hargianto 64'), Ahmad Nufiandani