LONDON : Since boxer Somluck Kamsing won Thailand's first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games, the kingdom's boxing team have claimed gold in every Olympics.
Sailom Ardee.
Somluck was followed by Wijan Ponlid who was a champion in 2000, Manus Boonjumnong (2004) and Somjit Jongjohor (2008).
The burden is now on three boxers _ Kaew Pongprayoon, Chatchai Butdee and Sailom Ardee _ and their boss Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, president of the Thailand Boxing Association.
"Quantity is not important. We may have only three boxers here but we will do our best," said Sailom, who is the only Thai fighter among the trio who has Olympic experience.
Sailom took part in the 2008 Beijing Games but lost in his first bout.
Boonlert was elected unopposed last August as the first president of the newly-established TBA.
The TBA was founded with the backing of the International
[Amateur] Boxing Association (Aiba) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).
The TBA replaces the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand which was disbanded by both the SAT and Aiba.
After becoming the country's amateur boxing boss, Boonlert vowed to bring home an Olympic gold medal from London.
But his hopes have since faded as only three Thai men's boxers qualified for the London Games. Worse was that Thailand failed to get a single berth in the women's boxing which is making its Olympic debut.
"I am disappointed that we failed to get a spot in the women's boxing," Boonlert admitted.
The trio did not participate in any warm-up tournament ahead of the London event and critics said this could affect the boxers' chances.
Thai officials hoped the trio would get decent draws for the London tournament. At Friday's draw, Kaew and Chatchai were handed relatively smooth paths but Sailom's campaign could again end in his first bout.
In the 49kg division, Kaew should beat Monhamed Flissi of Algeria in his opening bout.
If he wins, he is likely to face Jose Linares of Spain who beat the Thai at the 2009 World Championships in Italy. Linares faces Carlos Quipo Pilataxi of Ecudor in the first round.
Kaew's tough opponents could be second seed Shin Jonghu of South Korea in the quarter-finals and David Ayrapetyan of Russia in the semi-finals.
The Kamphaeng Phet native would only face defending champion and top seed Zou Shiming of China in the final.
Former national coach Kammanit Nareerak believes Kaew will beat Linares but he is not sure if he would be able to get past Shin.
"We have not seen this guy fight for a long time," he said.
In the 52kg division, Chatchai is expected to finish off Eker Secuk of Turkey in the first round tomorrow.
According to the draw, Chatchai's next opponents could be Ramirez Carrazana of Cuba in the second round, second seed Andrew Selby of Great Britain in the quarter-finals and third seed Raushee Warren of the US in the semi-finals.
In the 60kg category, Sailom has the most difficult task as he will fight fifth seeded Gani Zhailauov of Kazakhstan in today's first round.
In Sailom's half of the draw, there are also top seed Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine and fourth seed Toledo Lopez of Cuba.
Following the draw, Boonlert's opponents were quick to write off the trio's chances of winning gold.
Many critics believe it would be a great success if any of the three reaches the semi-finals. Returning home without a gold medal would bring an end to Boonlert's reign as the country's amateur boxing chief.
"If we fail to win gold, I will shoulder responsibility and resign as TBA president," he said ahead of the Games.
But many observers believe that in making his vow to quit, Boonlert might have a "secret weapon" as he is close to Aiba president Ching-kuo Wu.
Sailom in action today
Lightweight Sailom is seen as the underdog when he takes on Zhailauov at the Excel Arena today.
The Khon Kaen native will be fighting a formidable opponent from Kazakhstan who was a bronze medallist at last year's World Championships.
In his second Olympic appearance, Sailom said he would do his best to upset Zhailiauov.
"I am ready for the bout," said the 29-year-old who crashed out in the second round at the Beijing Games in his first bout of the tournament.
Thailand coach Thong Taweekhun said the underdog tag would be good for Sailom who will be fighting without pressure.
"Sailom is well prepared for the fight," he said.
TBA president Boonlert said Sailom could win.
"If you want to become successful, you have to fear no-one," he said.
Kammanit, who trained Sailom when he was the national team coach, said Sailom must defend well against the aggressive Zhailauov.
"Gani fights aggressively and Sailom does not like such an opponent," he said.