More than 300 players from around the world will participate in the fifth edition as it offers ranking points that will help them qualify for the Beijing Olympics Games besides a handsome prize money of US$120,000. A year ago it was just US$80,000.

Lady luck smiled on Sudket and Saralee in the draw and the two have a smoother route to the title than other Thais.

The top seeds were placed in the top part of the draw, where the only dangerous players are Chinese world No 10 Yu Yang and He Hanbin.

"Our goal is a place in the semi-finals, where we are likely to face either Yu and He or South Koreans Lee Yong-dae, who has a new partner in veteran Lee Hyo-jung," said Saralee, who insisted that her injury, which has not healed completely, will not affect her game.

Sudket said the pair will try their best to win the title as a tribute to His Majesty the King on his 80th birthday this year.

Without the shadow of three elite players - Lin Dan, Chen Yu and Lee Chong-wei - local ace Boosak Ponsana also has the possibility of taking the men's singles crown if he gets past South Korean veteran Lee Hyun-il.

"I am not in the best physical shape right now but I think I will be fully fit in time. The second round against Lee Hyun-il will be tough. But I'm quite confident that I can beat him, if I am in a good shape," said the Thai world No 8, who finished runner-up last time.

The draw was quite cruel for Thai women in the singles. Soratja Chansrisukot and Monthila Meemek will have stiff openers against top seed Zhu Lin and second seed Xu Hauiwen respectively, while Salakjit Ponsana faces Canadian Anna Rice.

Chareon Wattanasin, president of Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT), said that the time is crucial factor for the Thai squad.

"Our players should accumulate ranking points as much as they can as we are competing with Indonesia to qualify for the Olympic Games. I think our team have a chance," he said.

"I think our players should change their style. I want them to be aggressive and play with plenty of passion and confidence," said Chareon.

Mattana Luangnakthong-dee, chief, corporate communications, Siam Cement Group, said her company, which is sponsoring the event, will reward richly the Thai players who finish among the top three.

"We hope the special bonus will encourage them to raise their performance. If they win the title, we will award them the same amount they will get from the event," she said.

Somporn Suphop

 The Nation