Malaysia's Lee Chong-wei, China's Lin Dan and Denmark's Peter Gade Christensen , who take the top three spots in the global pecking order, along with China's Chen Hong, ranked fifth, are the hot favourites to steal the limelight and hamper Boonsak's efforts of reclaiming the crown he last won in 2004.

The 24-year-old Thai, dubbed "Superman" by the local press, is quite concerned about his chances in the tournament that has drawn a solid field of marquee players.

"A lot of the top players are coming here, making it even tougher than some of the five- or six-star tournaments. My goal is to hang in there until the round of 16,'' said Boonsak, a beaten semi-finalist to Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen last year.

The Thai is drawn in the same section as the Malaysian top seed Lee but whether or not he will able to match wits with the world's best depends on the match against arch-rival Lee Hyun-il in the third round. Booksak trails the sixth-ranked Lee 4-2 in their head-to-head meetings.

"I lost to him in our two previous meets [Indonesia and Singapore Opens last year]. But this time I am quite motivated to turn things around because I'm playing on home soil,'' said the Thai No 1, who became a national hero when he reached the Olympics semi-finals two years ago.

Boonsak will start his campaign against unseeded Malaysian Lim Kenn whom he is expected to beat without too much effort.

"I have a good draw in the early rounds. If I play to my level, there shouldn't be any problem,'' the world No 10 added.

While Boonsak has a tailor-made draw, it is a different story for his sister Salakjit whose first assignment is a date with world No 14 and joint-fifth seed Lu Lan of China.

"I will be lucky to survive the first round,'' admitted Salakjit, who lost to the mainlander in their only match last year in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the mixed doubles duo of Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthonkam are Thailand's biggest hopes. The world No 9 pair, who last year squandered eight match points to lose in the semi-finals, play Louisa Koon Wai Chee of Hong Kong and Putra Tanama of Indonesia in the first round.

"This is a very tough tournament with all the good players from China, South Korea, Indonesia and Denmark coming here. If things go according to the script, we are expected to reach the semis,'' Salaree said.

The tournament will also feature HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who will team up with Nattapon Naktong and play top seeds Lee Jae-jin and Lee Hyo-jung of South Korea.

Somporn Supop

The Nation