Arthit Urairat, rector of Rangsit University, who is the committee chairman in charge of the ceremonies, said HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who is studying in the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Chulalongkorn University, would be asked to light the flame of the Games, which will run from August 7-18.

"The princess will ride an elephant into the stadium and light the flame on the ground that ignites the cauldron in an apt reflection of bhumi balang ["land power"], a reference to the name of the King [Bhumibol]," said Arthit.

Arthit said he had engaged CM Organiser Plc to organise the ceremonies for Bt70 million. The amount may seem trivial for a world-class event in which more than 100 countries will participate, but Arthit is hopeful that the firm will make them a great success.