New IOC member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul vowed to do her utmost for sports at home and abroad after receiving congratulatory messages from members of the Thai royal family for her historic achievement yesterday.
Khunying Patama, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, was elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this month.
She is the first Thai woman, and fourth person from the Kingdom, to win the post after Praphas Charusathien (1971-1974), Dawee Chullasapya (1974-1989) and Nat Indrapana (1990-now).
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Soamsawali, HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana yesterday assigned their representatives to give Khunying Patama bouquets of flowers at her Bangkok's Arnoma Grand Hotel for being elected as an IOC member.
"I feel grateful to the Princesses. The flowers are a great honour and a blessing which will push me to do my duty to the best of my ability," said Khunying Patama.
"I will work with determination and dedication and cooperate with organisations for the highest interest of Thai sports, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and Thai sports associations as well as international sports federations.
"I will try to use the Olympic values to help educate the youth and improve their quality of life. I will work without the influence of politics or business."
The 52-year-old businesswoman said among the objectives of the Olympic movement was for its members to help create peace and make the world a better place.
"The most important thing in life is not to win but to fight. You don't have to win but you have to give a good fight," Khunying Patama said.
It is the first time that Thailand has had two IOC members at the same time.
Long-serving Dr Nat will reach his mandatory retirement age of 80 in March while Khunying Patama can remain an IOC member until the age of 70.