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Published on December 29, 2007

The decision to increase the number of members representing the teams is a gesture of appreciation for His Majesty the King's gracious donation of the 16kg solid-silver Royal Trophy. 

The Royal Trophy has featured eight players in each of the two teams for the first two editions - both held in the Kingdom of Thailand in 2006 and 2007. The extension to nine players being featured in each team is being implemented as a way to welcome one additional new member, a 'ninth member', to each team in honour of the King. 

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the longest serving monarch in the world, and, it can be suggested, probably the most respected by his subjects. Throughout the past six decades His Majesty the King has led, helped and guided his people of Thailand to a better understanding of each other and a better future and is highly regarded by his subjects as "The Light of Thailand."

The Kings is the present representative of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand.

"As a Thai and a member of the Asian team for the Royal Trophy for the third year, I am delighted with the extension of the number of players representing each team from eight to nine. This is our very humble way of honouring His Majesty the King, Rama IX of Thailand," said an emotional Asian Team veteran Thongchai Jaidee.

"As Thais, Thongchai, Prayad and I would love to be able to give a win for Asia as a gift to our beloved King. We will pull together and play for the Thai people and the Asian people. We will follow the leadership of captain Joe Ozaki and work in concert with all of our Asian Team partners. This is an opportunity of a life time for our Asian team," said new Asian team member Chapchai Nirat.

Already confirmed to represent the European Team  are Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Anders Hanson, Robert Karlsson and Niclas Fasth. The Joe Ozaki-led Asian team will count with  Jeev Milkha Singh, Charlie Wi, Hideto Tanihara, Toru Taniguchi  and the Thai trio.

The Royal Trophy sponsors include Heineken, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), PTT, Siam Commercial Bank and Toyota Camry.  For further information, call +662 651 9499 or visit www.TheRoyalTrophy.com.

Agencies

The Nation