LONDON : Millions of Thais are expected to cheer boxer Kaew Pongprayoon Friday night when the country's only remaining gold medal hopeful will be in action in the semi-finals of the light flyweight division.
Kaew is assured of bronze following his 16-10 win over Aleksandar Aleksandrov of Bulgaria in the quarter-finals.
Minutes earlier, taekwondo athlete Chanatip Sonkham claimed bronze in the women's 49kg class.
As of yesterday evening, Thailand had won three medals in London.
Weightlifter Pimsiri Sirikaew was Thailand's first medallist at the 2012 Games when she took silver in the women's 58kg division.
Kaew will take on third seed David Ayrapetyan of Russia at 7.45pm tonight, Thai time, for a place in the final.
The losers in the semi-finals will have to settle for bronze.
"My 12-year wait for an Olympic medal is over," said Kaew, who is fighting in his first Olympics. "But my mission is not yet complete _ my target is to win gold for all Thais."
For Kaew, a gold medal could be worth in the region of 100 million baht in rewards from the government and from private companies.
Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, president of the Thailand Boxing Association, has said a boxing gold medallist will get about 50 million baht from association sponsors. He has promised to push for Kaew, an army sergeant, to become a commissioned officer if he wins the top prize in London.
Lan Pho Road in Kaew's home province of Kamphaeng Phet will be closed today for people to watch the fight on a large projector screen.