Junpim Kntatien trains for the first time in Doha.

The 31-year-old Tavarit, who hails from Lampang, has a history of failing and he hopes to make amends this time. He famously lost in the first round in Busan, South Korea, four years ago.

Tavarit, who will be making his third appearance in the Games, remains Thailand's best hope for a gold. In 2001, he created a sensation when he set a world record in the men's 10m air rifle with 600 points in a major competition in Malaysia.

He also went to two Olympic Games, but returned empty-handed from both. However, he reckons that the experience was valuable and will help in the competition in Doha.

In weightlifting, Thailand will today field four powerful lifters - Thongyim Boonpitak and Pensiri Sae Lao in the women's 48kg category, and Junpim Kantatien and Suda Chaleephay in the women's 53kg event.

In the 48kg event, rising star Thongyim may attempt to wrest the gold the same way she stunned the crowd in Manila in the SEA Games last year to win the title. Pensiri had proved to be a strong contender in the category by picking up a silver medal at the World Championships in Doha last year.

However, all eyes are on Junpim in the women's 53kg category. Junpim, heir to Athens Olympic heroine Udomporn Polsak, was simply sensational in several major competitions. She not only won the gold medal in the World Junior Championships, but also the last year's World Championships in Doha, the World University Weightlifting Championships in Turkey and the SEA Games in Manila.

Team-mate Suda, a gold medallist at the World Juniors Championships, is a force to be reckoned with in the 53kg category. In the recent World Championships in the Dominican Republic, Suda performed superbly to win three medals, including a silver.

Eight Thai boxers, spearheaded by three Athens Olympic heroes - gold winner Manus Boonjumnong, silver medallist Vorapoj Petchkoom and bronze medallist Suriya Prasarthinpimai - take part in the weighing-in today.

In sepak takraw, the Thai women's team will lock horns with South Korea in the triple team competition, while the Thais meet Mongolia in the women's indoor volleyball event. Thai swimmers will also get a chance to prove their talent on the opening day of the pool event.

In today's opening ceremony, athletes will march in an alphabetical order. A total of 150 Thai athletes, including HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, will participate. Volleyball player Suppachai Jitrchamroon will be the flag-bearer for the Kingdom.

The opening ceremony will be televised live on Channels 3, 9 and 11 from 7pm local time (10.45pm Bangkok time).

The flags of 14 participating countries - including Thailand, Burma and India - were raised yesterday at the Athletes Village.

More than 13,000 athletes from 45 nations will be taking part in the Games. "It will be a secure Games and a Games that everyone will enjoy," said a spokesman.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha