"I decided to go on a diet several days before I got up on the stage. After I did my little walk in the new shoes, some of the other guests told me that I was too short to be a model, which made me feel embarrassed," said Lacksuda, who stands at just under 157cm tall.

"However, upon learning that the sponsors were to give all the guest models sportswear and the Bt5,000 running shoes they were wearing, I cheered up and thought to myself: "no one is perfect. I can't help being born short."

Achievements are recognised

One of the most memorable moments national taekwondo coach Choi Young-seok will cherish was when he was honoured with the Royal Decoration of Companion of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

The South Korean was behind Thailand's big breakthrough onto the international taekwondo scene after coaching Yaowapa Boorapolchai to the country's first Olympic bronze medal in a martial arts event. His stature was enhanced with his contribution that led to Thailand's three gold medals in the 2006 World Team Championships and three silvers from the Doha Asian Games later in the year.

"I am so overwhelmed to be given this honour from Thailand. I have to share this honour with the Taekwondo Association of Thailand for their endless support for the taekwondo team. I will work even harder to help develop Thai taekwondo and achieve the main target by winning an Olympic gold medal," Choi said.

China's Zhang Jiamin, the national weightlifting coach, was awarded the same title. Zhang coached the national squad to two Olympic gold medals in 2004 and one Asian Games gold last year.

Don't go breaking our hearts

During last week's packed press conference at the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT), BAT president Professor Charoen Wattanasin asked all Thai players to focus their discipline and to do the best they possibly can for a medal at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing. He was met with silence.

He then turned to ask local ace Boonsak Ponsana, one of Thailand's best bets for the Games, if he could see his way to not breaking his heart during the Games.

His question suddenly aroused the attention of the whole room with everyone waiting for Boonsak's reply.

The 25-year-old Boonsak was silent for a moment before answering sheepishly: "Yes, I will", which received a loud laugh from all present.

But nobody at the press conference knew whether Charoen was really concerned about his player or wanted to indirectly say that Boonsak should not miss the chance of a medal this time.

Broadening his horizons

Everything seems to have clicked for veteran striker Kiartisak "Zico" Senamuang after his life turned a corner last year. After more than two years absence from the international stage, the ageing star was recalled to the national team in December and didn't let local fans down as he inspired Thailand to regain the King's Cup title.

Things are not only going well for Kiartisak on the pitch, his off-field life also appears to be rosy. Yesterday, the former striker for V-League outfit Hoang Anh Gia Lai launched his second company called Nai Sibsam (Mr Thirteen) after his favourite number, which he usually wears at international and club level. His latest business is as a footballing agent, hoping to represent Thai players who are looking at playing opportunities overseas.

"I'm very delighted, especially when I think that I have done all this from being an ordinary player from humble beginnings. All this is the result of a lot of hard work," said Kiartisak who took the opportunity yesterday to make merit to mark the fourth anniversary of the launch of his first company Sport Hero.

"I'm planning to work in sport after my retirement. While I'm still playing, my wife will take care of the business. When I hang up my boots, I'll take control of the company myself and who knows I might look for an opportunity in real estate or the industrial sector as well."