The 16-year-old from Bangkok, a junior champion four years ago, scored 1,331 points to finish third behind winner Malaysian Esther Cheah Mei Lan and first runner-up Indonesian Insavilla Armein Putty, with scores of 1,444 and 1,395 respectively.

Her unexpected bronze brought Thailand its fifth medal in the sports extravaganza after the female weightlifters produced three silvers and one bronze.

Meanwhile, Jakkrit Panichpatikum and Tavarit Majchacheep failed to lived up expectations yesterday as neither made it to the finals in the shooting competition.

Pistol specialist Jakkrit was in dismal form with a below-par 576 points to finish a distant 12th in the men's 10m air pistol qualifier.

"I think I started shooting a bit late, which allowed me a short time to fire the following shots. In that situation, I could not hold my nerve," said Jakkrit, who finished second in this year's World Championships in Croatia.

World 10m air rifle record-holder Tavarit tried to come back from his poor form on the previous day. He restored some pride, finishing third in the 50m rifle prone elimination round with 591 points.

In the pool, Nimitta Thaveesupsoonthorn, a gold medallist at last year's SEA Games in Manila, was the lone Thai swimmer to advance to the evening's final round, proving her talent in the 400m individual medley to finish second.

Team-mate Vorrawuti Aumpiwan, a SEA Games triple silver medallist, could not make the grade as he came in fifth place in the 50m breaststroke heats.

In badminton, Thailand left the Aspire Hall with their heads down after failing to make the semi-finals.

However, Thai fans will today keep their eyes on Pawina Thongsuk as she seeks her first gold medal in the Asian Games. The Athens Olympic heroine and world champion will be out to end the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association's 40-year gold-medal drought in the Games.

Preechachan   Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha