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