Defending champion Rory McIlroy dropped a shot at his first hole on day three of the Dubai Desert Classic following a wayward opening tee shot.
He made amends with two gains before the turn.
Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee opened up a commanding three-shot lead midway through the third round on a low scoring day at Emirates Golf Club.
Jaidee looked in a relaxed mood as the four-time European Tour winner needed just 10 putts to pick up three birdies over his opening nine holes of the Majlis course to move onto 10 under par overall.
Miguel Angel Jimenez had moved alongside the overnight leader at the start of the third round, but a dropped shot and back-to-back birdies by Jaidee left the Spaniard and Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari heading the chasing pack at eight under par.
European number one Lee Westwood, Alvaro Quiros and McIlroy sit a further shot back.
A frustrated Westwood reached the turn in level par, while Quiros and McIlroy picked up solitary gains through nine holes of their third rounds.
© Press Association