The girls coached by Yoong Sze Yuin were behind 12-26 in the first quarter and left for the break with the score standing at 35-39 in favour of the Thais.
In the third quarter, the Malaysians led by Nur Izzati Yaakob upped the ante and led 51-49.
Towards the end of the last quarter, the score was deadlocked at 60-60 but the it was the Malaysians who had the slight edge and won 65-60.
This is the 14th gold medal for Malaysia in SEA Games women’s basketball since it was introduced in 1977.
Yoong said she was proud of the performance of her charges, saying they did not buckle under the intense pressure.
“They gave it their all and the home crowd’s roar of support certainly helped,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia beat Indonesia 5-1 to claim the inaugural men’s indoor hockey which made its debut in 29th SEA Games.
In the final played at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre here today, Malaysia took the lead as early as the fourth minute through Mohd Shafiq Yaacob’s field goal, before adding two goals from penalty corner strikes in the 19th and 23rd minutes through Shazril Irwan Nazli and captain Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan.
Malaysia then scored another field goal in the 25th minute through Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan, while Muhammad Amirol Aideed Mohd Arshad added the fifth in the 39th minute.
Indonesia’s only goal of the match was scored by Alvin Nourul Saepul Mimbar in the 38th minute through a penalty corner strike.