China´s Ambassador to Thailand: Relay in Bangkok will be successful

China's Ambassador to Thailand spoke to CCTV ahead of the Olympic flames' arrival in Bangkok. Zhang Jiuhuan says the relay in Bangkok will be successful and he also introduced some of the event's features.

Ambassdor Zhang says the Beijing Games torch relay in the Thai capital will feature elements relating to the culture of both China and Thailand.

The starting point of the relay will be in Chinatown, where many overseas Chinese live. The torch will then pass Bangkok's landmark sites including the Grand Palace, the National Monument and Rama the Fifth Square.

The first torchbearer is a vice mayor of Bangkok. And the last runner is a female Thai athlete who was a gold medalist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Among the eighty torchbearers, fifty are overseas Chinese.

Zhang Jiuhuan says sports is just sports, and should not be linked with politics. He says the torch relay in Bangkok will not be obstructed as it was in Paris and London.

Zhang Jiuhuan said, "The Thai police attaches great importance to the torch relay. There will also be security personnel running with the torchbearers to protect the flame."

The Ambassador says the Thai police is fully capable of protecting the torch.

Zhang Jiuhuan said, "We believe that the torch relay will be successful based on the experiences that we have gained during previous legs of the relay."

Ambassador Zhang also says Thai Princess, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, expressed her interest in attending the Beijing Games as early as two years ago. And she will represent Thailand's royal family at the opening ceremony of the Games.

In addition, the Thai prime minister, Sama Sundaravej, and other senior government officials say they firmly support the Beijing Olympics... and they will also attend the opening ceremony.