Olympic torch relay starts in Bangkok

BANGKOK, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The torch relay for the Beijing Olympic Games started at 3:20 p.m. (0820GMT) Saturday in the China Town area in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, after a launching ceremony at the ceremonial gateway "Chinese Gate."

After kindling the Olympic Torch with the Olympic Flame stored in a special lantern which has traveled 11 cities around the globe, Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOCOG) handed the torch to Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jiuhuan, who passed on to Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

Aprirak then handed the torch to the first torch bearer, Anant Siripasraporn, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), who started running to kick off the first ever Olympic torch relay in his home city, amid a cheering crowd and followers.

BANGKOK, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The chartered plane carrying the Beijing Olympic Flame arrived on early Friday in Bangkok, the 12th leg of its global torch relay after finishing the last stop in New Dehli, India.

The plane landed at the Sixth Airport of Royal Thai Air Force attached to the Don Mueang airport in north of Bangkok at 2:25 a.m. Friday (1925 GMT, Thursday), April 18. Full Story

BANGKOK, April 19 (Xinhua) -- "Even if it rains, it will not put out my passion for the Olympic relay," Anant Siripasraporn, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), who will run the first leg of the Olympic torch relay in Bangkok Saturday, told Xinhua with a broad smile.

Anant is waiting for the Olympic torch relay, the first time ever for Thailand, to be launched scheduled at 3 p.m. (0800GMT) Saturday, April 19. Full Story

BANGKOK, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Friday that Thai authorities will not tolerate any protest aimed at disrupting the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Bangkok on Saturday.

"There are no reasons to disturb the ceremony because it is purely a sports issue. On Saturday, we will complete the 10-km run," Samak said after a cabinet meeting. Full Story

BANGKOK, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's police on Thursday called on the people to help ensure a smooth and safe Olympic Torch Relay in the capital Bangkok on Saturday, while warning that any foreigners attempting to sabotage the relay may be deported.

In an announcement made public through Thailand's TV and radio broadcasters, the police said hosting the Olympic Torch Relay is an honor for Thailand, and all Thais are obliged to safeguard the Olympic flame and ensure a smooth and safe relay.