Both teams played attacking football in a lively encounter in Bangkok, with Thailand carving out the best chances of the game either side of the break but both keepers pulled off a number of good saves to ensure the game ended goalless.
The draw kept the three-time Asian champions on top of Group E, one point clear of Singapore.
"We didn't come here for one point, we came here for all three, but we have to be satisfied with this result," Daei said.
"I had said before the game this would be a difficult match. We started well, better than Thailand in the first half. Both teams played good football and created good opportunities.
"My players played very well. Overall I'm very happy with the way they played today," he added.
Daei praised the hosts, who lie third in the table, two points off the top following draws from their opening two games.
"We can't win all our games. We can't win everything. Sometimes this happens in football," he said.
"Thailand played well, they created a lot of chances. I knew this was going to be tough.
He added: "They are one of the best teams in Southeast Asia. We've seen their games and they have had positive results.”
Thailand's English coach Peter Reid was just as delighted with his players' performance, and expressed confidence his side was capable of reaching the finals. The top two teams qualify.
"I still think Iran are favorites but we've got as good a chance as anybody else," he said.
"They are a top side, they are very difficult.
"The Thai players acquitted themselves very, very well. We defended when we had to and we tried to create chances and possibly created the best chance of the game."
The former Manchester City and Sunderland manager, however, criticised his team for giving away too many free kicks in the final third of the field but was happy with his team's position in the group after successive draws in their opening two games, the first away to Jordan.
"They were two really tough sides," he said.
"Overall I'm pleased. It certainly gives us a real good chance, a foothold in the group. It is a good start for us."