August 7, 2008
Bangkok - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the Olympic Village on Thursday to give 51 athletes a last-minute boost one day before the Beijing Games open.
The princess who speaks fluent Chinese was welcomed by Village Mayor Chen Zhili.
Athens bronze medallist Wandee Kameai, boxer Manus Boonjumnong and other athletes got an audience with the princess at the Thai apartments.
"I feel very proud to be here representing Thailand," said Wandee, who at the age of 30 will again be competing in the 58kg weightlifting class.
"The Princess really inspires us to do well by coming here and giving us all her heart."
It was reported that HRH Princess Siridhorn planned to cook the squad dinner later Thursday at the Thai embassy.
"It will help the athletes to know that they have never been forgotten, not by the common people nor by the highest-ranking people in Thailand," said Weerasak Kowsurut, Thailand's minister of tourism and sports.
This is only the second time a member of the Thai royal family has paid such a visit after the Crown Prince did so at the Barcelona Games in 1992, he added.
