Beijing Olympic Games

Updated：2008-04-19From：Xinhuanet

Local Chinese residents of Thailand welcomed the upcoming Olympic torch relay at China Gate, the start of the run in Bangkok, on April 19, 2008. Bangkok is the 12th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside of the Chinese mainland. (Xinhua/Gong Lei)

BANGKOK, April 19 (Xinhua) — The Olympic torch relay was welcomed by loud cheers in an overall festive mood on Saturday in Bangkok, the “City of Smiles.” Crowds flocked to the streets, jamming the flame relay route that traveled past the city’s most renowned landmarks and historic sites.

The launching ceremony was staged at China Gate, which was built in 1999 to celebrate HM the King’s 6th Cycle Anniversary at the former Odeon-Fountain site. It was a collaboration in Chinatown between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Thai-Chinese Association.

First torchbearer Anant Siripasraporn (C), Deputy Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, runs with the torch in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 19, 2008. Bangkok is the 12th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua/Qi Heng)

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart, chairman of the Olympic Torch Relay Organizing Committee of Thailand, delivered a speech during the launching ceremony.

“It is an important event and a first-time opportunity for Thailand to host the torch relay,” said Kaiornprasart.

“We have supported the Beijing Olympic Games since its bidding seven years ago. It’s a great privilege for Thailand and Bangkok to be one of the stopovers for the Olympic flame.

“In spite of the occurrence of attaching politics to sports in a few earlier relays, to us, we will stick to the principle of separating politics from sports, and ensure a memorable relay here.”

The highlighted sites en route include Sakchaiyasithi Gate, Democracy Monument, the UN office, Chitralada Palace, and Ananthasamakom Throne Hall. Historical sights along the route consist of Chinatown street, Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, City Pillar Shrine, Royal Field, Mae Phra Thorani, Maha Jessada Bodin Pavilion Ground, Golden Mount, and Chitralada Royal Residence.

First torchbearer Anant Siripasraporn (C), Deputy Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, runs with the torch in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 19, 2008. Bangkok is the 12th stop of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay outside the Chinese mainland. (Photo credit: Xinhua/Qi Heng)

All five Olympic champions in Thailand’s history were selected to bear the torch, namely Manus Boonjumnong, Somluck Kamsing, Udomporn Polsak, Vijan Ponlid, and Pawina Thongsuk.

Three of the five are boxing champions: Manus Boonjumnong competed in the light welterweight (64kg) in the Athens Olympics, Somluck Kamsing the featherweight (57kg) event in the Atlanta Games, and Vijan Ponlid was the flyweight (51kg) gold medaller in the Sydney Olympics.

Udomporn Polsak took the 53kg women’s weightlifting gold medal in the Athens Games. The last torchbearer, Pawina Thongsuk, is another weightlifting champion. She took the 75kg women’s event in Athens.

The first torchbearer was Anant Siripasraporn, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. “I am filled with the scenario of carrying the torch in mind. It’s so exciting,” said Siripasraporn after finishing his run.

“I feel so honored to welcome the Olympic flame here. It’s a great event to mark the close relations between the two countries, it’s a good opportunity to bring forth the city to the world, it’s a great day for the citizens to cheer,” added Siripasraporn, who is of Chinese descent.

Pawina Thongsuk just retired from weightlifting due to a knee injury, but to her, the experience of being a part of the torch relay somewhat makes up for leaving the competitive scene. “I suffered an injury in my training this year and have to retire from weightlifting, but being a torchbearer is making up for my retiring from the Olympic Games,” said Thongsuk.

“Though I can’t go to the Beijing Games, I think my teammates are capable of winning something there.”

The community celebration was set up by the Equestrian Monument of King Rama V, with throngs of people waiting at the site hours before the arrival of the Olympic flame. The bronze statue of King Rama V in a field marshal’s uniform mounted on a horse was cast in Paris by a French sculptor in 1907 when the king visited Europe, and was shipped to Bangkok in 1908. The statue stands six meters tall from the platform on which the horse stands to the top of the king’s helmet.

A day earlier, Thailand’s crown princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over a welcome party. There, she expressed her desire to attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games on August 8 on behalf of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The princess is well-known for her keen interest in Chinese culture and has been to China dozens of times.

Bangkok is the capital and primary city of Thailand, a country where Buddhism prevails. It is located on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, and has a huge population of over 10 million.

After wrapping up the 10km relay in Bangkok, the Olympic flame will head for its next journey in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.