Olympic flame arrives in Bangkok

The Beijing Olympic flame has arrived in Bangkok. Thailand's National Olympic Committee says the capital is ready to welcome the torch and to make the relay on Thai soil a success.This is the 12th leg of the flame's global tour after finishing the last leg in the Indian capital New Delhi.

Starting Saturday afternoon 80 torchbearers, including government officials, athletes, company executives, artists, students and Thai-Chinese community leaders will run the 10.4-kilometer-long route through Bangkok. The route covers the city's most renown landmarks and historical sites.

Thousands of spectators are expected to swarm into Bangkok's Chinatown, the starting point of the torch relay. Authorities say helicopters and more than 1,000 police will be deployed to keep order along the route.

At the press conference, the NOCT President said welcoming the Olympic torch as a symbol of the Olympic spirit is a remarkable event for the country. He says government departments and the Thai-Chinese communities have worked together to ensure all preparations for the torch relay have been finalized.

The Thai Royal family, government and people all agree that Thailand should be a good host for the Olympic torch relay.

Thai police have called on all Thais to help ensure a smooth and safe Olympic torch relay in Bangkok. They've threatened to expel any foreign groups attempting to sabotage the event.