Although Thailand Open next week will be held amidst political tension, organisers said tennis stars who had signed up for the tournament were not scared to come to Bangkok, at least for now.

Yesterday, Croatian player Ivan Ljubicic landed in the city. Although the player, notorious for his mood swings, wore a long face, it had nothing to do with the political problems. Sources said that he was unhappy because he had been made to wait at the immigration counter for almost an hour as officers were few at Don Muang airport because many had been relocated to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.

But once he arrived at his hotel, the world No 3's mood seemed to change for the better. He looked relaxed and candidly answered questions from the waiting press. He said he was not afraid of the political situation in Thailand. "Everything will be all right," he said, an indirect message to calm the nerves of some foreign governments and their citizens, who had been told that Bangkok was a dangerous place to visit now.

Tim Henman, a player from England, where ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is living now, also arrived in Thailand, fully aware of the political unrest here before he boarded the plane.

"I didn't come here last year, because I had an injury. This year I'm physically fine, and I think the tournament will be exciting,'' said the British No 2.

James Blake, an American player who is playing the Davis Cup semi-final against Russia in Moscow, has not told the organisers that he would cancel his trip to Bangkok. Washington has condemned the coup and released a tour advisory to its citizens. The organisers are, however, hopeful that Blake will make it to the gala event.

Jirawat Na Thalang

The Nation