The athletes included HRH Princess Sirivannavari Narirattana, as well as officials and contestants from the Thailand Bowling Association and the Amateur Equestrian Association.

Four weightlifters - Thongyim Boonpitak, Pensiri Saelao, Chanpim Kantatian and Suda Chaleephay - along with team manager Chairat Udomkitpanya also left Bangkok yesterday. Olympic weightlifting gold medallist Pawina Thongsuk, who is injured, is trying to recover in time to join the competition.

After arriving in Doha, the weightlifters will rest before their coaches give them a soft training programme. Pawina and other star lifter, Wandee Kam-iam, who won bronze in Athens, are due to leave for Doha with a large group of Thai representatives this morning.