But he was not disappointed as big crowds of supporters turned up at the indoor stadium to cheer on the 2004 champion. More than 10,000 fans showed up through the week.

However, one fan gave the player known as "Super Man" a present he will never forget. The die-hard female fan presented Boonsak with a big picture of himself in a hand-made frame. "It is the most impressive present I've ever had from a fan," he said. - The Nation.

Buttree has the golden touch

The talented Buttree Puedpong did not expect to win a gold medal at the recent World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Vietnam, but the Thai junior women's finweight champion returned with the top prize. So many are now wondering if she can win another gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Buttree, who won the gold medal and was also named the Best Athlete at the meet, was part of a very successful Thai squad which won a total of seven medals including two gold. They arrived back in Bangkok on Monday.

Upon her arrival, Buttree said: "Before the trip, I did not expect to win. Winning a gold medal there was a dream come true. However, I have to train much harder for more future successes. My ultimate dream is to win a medal in the Olympics."

Asked if she can repeat the feat in the Beijing Olympics - even if she really does not expect to win - Buttree said: "It's difficult to say. My expectations can be that high despite the fact that expecting and doing are different things. I think expectations cannot guarantee us a gold medal. Only doing counts".

- The Nation.

Thai girls a smash, says Sudket

Apart from colourful Thai cheerleaders and thrilling matches, local fans watching the Thailand Open Badminton Championships at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium last week had plenty of good looking players to check out. Most of the local male fans spent their time looking over the South Korean women's team. South Korean singers, movies and soap operas are very popular in Thailand at the moment, and the country's women's badminton team attracted a lot of attention.

But one local man who was not impressed by the South Korean women's players was Sudket Prapakamol, who plays mixed doubled for Thailand with Saralee Thoungthongkham. He insists that Thai women are the most beautiful in Asia. "I've never thought foreign players are pretty and have never seen one," he said. "I think Thai girls are prettier than foreigners and I'd like to suggest that you can prove it by looking around Siam Square," said Sudket, who spoke to The Nation as two attractive South Koreans were walking past him. - The Nation.