Robson, who has not managed since leaving Sheffield United in February 2008, will combine the Thai job with his existing duties as an ambassador for Manchester United.
 

The 52-year-old said: "The reason the job was appealing is because I get the best of both worlds.

"It's a great opportunity to get back into management, but hopefully I'll continue to be an asset to United, perhaps even more so now that I'm based in Asia.
 

"I have challenging targets, starting with achieving qualification for the Asian Cup finals.

"I'll also take charge of the under-23 team and hopefully we'll qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London."

Thailand have twice qualified for the Olympic football tournament.

The first occasion was at the Melbourne Games in 1956 when they were beaten 9-0 by Britain.

The second was at Mexico City in 1968 when they lost all three of their group matches, conceding 19 goals and scoring only once.
 

Robson's first match with the senior team will be against Singapore in November.

He replaced former England midfielder Peter Reid, who quit earlier this month only a year into a four-year contract to become assistant manager at Premier League club Stoke City.

Robson's coaching record is mixed.

Although he twice guided Middlesbrough to promotion into the Premier League, he also has been sacked several times, including at Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion and Bradford City.
 

He began his playing career in 1974 with West Bromwich Albion. Robson moved to Man United in 1981 and stayed for 13 years before finishing his career at Middlesbrough, where he also began his coaching career.

He scored 99 goals in 461 games for United and was capped 90 times by England, scoring 26 times.