Thai princess on badminton team

Thai princess on badminton team

MANILA: Some of the world's best-known badminton players will
be upstaged by royalty at the Southeast Asian Games.

Princess Sirivannari Nariratana of Thailand, a 19-year-old
fashion designer, is a member of her country's badminton team
which is one of the favorites for a medal. She arrived in the
Philippine capital two days ago with her father, Crown Prince
Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Princess Sirivannari will be paired with Sujitra
Ekmongkolpaisarm in the women's doubles competition, up against
Irene Chiu and Vanessa Tanco of the Philippines.

With basketball dropped from the Games after an organizational
dispute, badminton is expected be one of the main drawcards.

"We're entertaining calls from the provinces inquiring about
the schedules of the games and where to purchase tickets," said
Steve Hontiveros, secretary general of the Philippine Southeast
Asian Games Organizing Committee.

Hontiveros said local fans are eager to see some of world's
best badminton players in action, led by Indonesia's Taufik
Hidayat. -- AP