Princess dedicates SEA Games medal to late King

HER ROYAL Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana dedicated her SEA Games silver medal to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej after she and her teammates finished second in the dressage team event at the Endurance and Putrajaya Equestrian Park in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

The Thai team, which also included Arinadtha Chavatanont, Chalermcharn Yotiriyapanit and Pakjira Thongpakdi, scored a combined 206.211 points to finish second behind Malaysia, who scored a total of 210.947 points to win gold.
Singapore took the bronze with 201.289 points.
The princess held a picture of King Rama IX, her grandfather, during the medal presentation ceremony and admitted during an interview with the Thai media later that she had felt overwhelmed.

Princess dedicates SEA Games medal to late King
“I felt as if tears were coming out. I felt happiest to hold the picture of my grandfather and the medal together.
“It was like I gave him this medal,” the princess said emotionally.

‘Difficult to describe my feelings’
“Normally whenever I competed and won a medal, he would put it on my neck. But there won’t be such a day again.
“I just wish he knew that I made it again. It’s difficult to describe my feelings,” she added.
“I hope that Thai people understand what I’m trying to say. I felt so overwhelmed at level 10 and felt like crying. I thank Thai people for their support in all forms.

Princess dedicates SEA Games medal to late King
“Thank you to my sister [HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha] for always sending messages of support.”
Astride her favourite horse Prince Charming, who is due to retire, Princess Sirivannavari took part in the competition following an invitation from the Thailand Equestrian Federation to represent the Kingdom. She is to compete in the dressage individual event today.
The silver is the princess’s second medal in the SEA Games. She won the gold medal as part of the Thai women’s badminton team in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila.