The country's biggest sporting competition will be officially declared open by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop.

Former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa said on behalf of the host province that Suphan Buri was ready for the 10-day meet, while a budget of Bt20 million was spent on today's opening ceremony.

"We [Suphan Buri] hope that the opening ceremony, in which more than 4,000 students will take part, will impress all visitors. Well-known designer Suppawat Jongsiri, or Suppaksorn, who oversaw the opening and closing ceremonies of the Chiang Mai SEA Games in 1985 - one of the most magnificent - will be on duty again and I don't think he will let the visitors down," Banharn said.

"The letter formations to be performed by 3,080 students on the grandstand during the opening ceremony will be the biggest card display ever seen in Thailand. Therefore, to watch such a graceful ceremony will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"The highlight of the ceremony will be the magnificent fireworks display and the flame ignition at the cauldron, to be performed by our famous athletes led by sprinter Oranuch Klomdee and weightlifter Thongyim Boonpitak," he said.

At the previous edition in Ratchaburi two years ago - at that time, the National Games were held biennially - Bangkok reigned supreme with 165 gold medals, while Chiang Mai and Chon Buri came in distant second and third places with 35 and 33 golds respectively.

With some of their athletes now competing for other provinces, Bangkok has only a fair chance of winning 87 gold medals this time round. Chiang Mai is aiming for only 15 golds, while Chon Buri has its sights set on 37 golds.

Hosts Suphan Buri believes its athletes will win more than 100 golds, including the coveted football event.

The softball and football competitions started on Thursday, while five gold medals will be on offer today - four in taekwondo and one in billiards.

Channel 3 will televise the opening ceremony live today from 6pm.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation