Thailand at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Thailand will have 37 representatives at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games but their chances of securing a decent medal haul are rated as slim. Internal squabbles inside different Thai sports associations has been blamed for leaving many Thai athletes unprepared compared to previous Olympic Games. A lack of young talent pushing ‘older hands’ is another excuse put forward as to why Thailand will struggle to climb the London 2012 medals table. Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) deputy governor Sakol Wannapong had this to say about Thailand’s medal chances:

“Our preparations are not as good as they were in the previous Olympics and the athletes do not get proper support from concerned parties including the SAT…… it will be very tough for our athletes to become successful in London.”

photo source: Bangkok Post

Despite Wannapong’s pessimism there is hope Thailand will win some medals although their total of four medals (two golds) at Beijing 2008 might prove hard to match let alone beat. Weightlifting and taekwondo once again offer Thailand good hopes of a podium finish. Thai boxer Chatchai Butdee (pictured right) may also have an outside chance in the 52 kilo weight class.

Below is a full list of all 37 Thai athletes who will be competing at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

Thai athletes at the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Male athletes

• Saylom Ardee – Boxing
• Ek Boonsawad – Sailing
• Keerati Bualong – Sailing
• Chatchai Butdee – Boxing
• Chatuphum Chinnawong – Weightlifting
• Atthaphon Daengchanthuek – Weightlighting
• Chatuphum Chinnawong – Weightlifting
• Teerawat Homklin – Judo
• Hermann Ludwig Husslein – Sailing
• Bodin Isara – Badminton
• Maneepong Jongjit – Badminton
• Pan-Ek Karaket – Taekwondo
• Nuttapong Ketin – Swimming
• Jakkrit Panichpatikum – Shooting
• Kaeo Pongprayoon – Boxing
• Boonsak Ponsana – Badminton
• Sudket Prapakamol – Badminton
• Pimsiri Sirikaew – Weightlifting
• Supanara Sukhasvati na Ayudhaya – Athletics
• Witthaya Thamwong – Archery
• Pitaya Tibnoke – Weightlifting

Female athletes

• Wanida Boonwan – Athletics
• Rattikan Gulnoi – Weightlifting
• Ratchanok Intanon – Badminton
• Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit – Shooting
• Natthanan Junkrajan – Swimming
• Panida Khamsri – Weightlifting
• Nanthana Komwong – Table Tennis
• Nina Ligon – Equestrian
• Jutatip  Maneephan – Road Cycling
• Rangsiya Nisaisom – Taekwondo
• Sirivimon Pramongkhol – Weightlifting
• Tanyaporn Prucksakom – Shooting
• Phuttharaksa Neegree Rodenburg – Rowing
• Chanatip Sonkham – Taekwondo
• Napalai Tansai – Sailing
• Saralee Thoungthongkam – Badminton

Some of those names are very difficult to pronounce and there will be one or two TV sports commentators and news readers hoping those tongue-twisting names do not progress too far at London 2012.

Good luck to the Thai Olympic team.