Amateur boxing has always been one of Thailand's best hopes at international events. But this month's SEA Games in Myanmar may not be the same as the Thailand Boxing Association (TBA) is targeting only six out of 14 gold medals in both the men's and women's tournaments.
There will be six Thai male fighters in Myanmar: Chatchai Butdee (52kg), Donchai Thati (56kg), Sailom Ardee (60kg), Wutthichai Masuk (64kg), Apichet Saensit (69kg) and Anawat Thongkrathog (81kg).
The four female boxers are Sopida Satumram (51kg), Piemwilai Laopiam (54kg), Tassamalee Thongchan (57kg) and Sudaporn Sisondee (60kg).
Apichet is the only man who has won at the SEA Games with his success at the previous edition in Indonesia in 2011, while the four women all are defending champions.
According to TBA president Pichai Junhavajira, Thailand are still the best in the region and all his boxers are capable of winning gold medals.
But he has lowered his target to only six golds _ four in the men's events and two in the women's _ because of several factors.
However, the Thai boxing team may not reach the goal, according to a TBA official.
"We set our target without knowing anything about our opponents. It is dangerous," said the official who asked not to be named.
"Many countries, especially hosts Myanmar, are working very hard.
"Also, anything can happen at the SEA Games where biased judging is prevalent. We will have only one judge in Myanmar instead of two."
In the build-up to the Games, Myanmar's male fighters trained in Kazakhstan, while their women went to China.
The Philippines and Indonesia cannot be underestimated, the TBA official said.
The official called on Thai fans not to expect too much from the boxers because of the low standard of the tournament.
"The Thailand Championships might be more competitive and interesting than this SEA Games," the official said.
"We should look at the tournament as a venue to test our boxers for bigger tournaments like the Asian Games and the Olympics."
Meanwhile, Chatchai, who won Thailand's only medal, a bronze, at this year's World Championships in Kazakhstan, said that he wanted to win gold after losing to an Indonesian boxer in the final in 2011 in dubious circumstances.
With better preparations this time, Chatchai is ready to go for glory in Nay Pyi Taw although he may have to face a Myanmar boxer at one stage.
"I want to gain revenge against the Indonesian boxer," he said.
"But my biggest rival could be a boxer from the host country again. I must stop him or outclass him to make sure that I will win the fight."
At the 26th Games in Indonesia, Thailand got seven gold medals, four in the men's event and three in the women's competition.
The boxing tournament in Myanmar will start on Dec 7, four days before the official opening ceremony.