The Thais had initially set a target of three gold medals in the star-studded tournament, which will run from Friday till next Wednesday. But Patiwat Thongsalap, who won the gold medal at the World Cup Team Championships in Bangkok last year, failed to make the trip due to a knee injury and the Taekwondo Association of Thailand reduced the target. Patiwat severely injured his knee while landing a kick to Kazakhstan's Yesbol Sultanov in the last 16 round of the Asian Games in Doha last year.

The odds-on favourites to win gold medals for Thailand are finweight Yaowapa and heavyweight Rapatkorn Prasopsuk. Both won gold at the World Cup Team Championships last year. - The Nation.