Myanmar has won praise from Thailand for its electrifying opening ceremony at the 27th SEA Games.
The ceremony was held at the 30,000-seat Wunna Theikdi Stadium in the country's new capital Nay Pyi Taw as Myanmar is hosting the SEA Games for the first time in 44 years.
"It's the best ever opening ceremony of the SEA Games," said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Yukol Limlaemthong who attended the event.
Having seen all the venues and other facilities, Yukol said Myanmar had done a good job. He said he supported the Thai men's football team and wanted them to win gold.
Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong has asked him to look after the team to make sure that they will win the title, he said.
Kittiratt is manager of the football team but has not yet flown to Myanmar due to the political problems at home.
Yukol represented embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the opening ceremony.
The Thai football team defeated Indonesia 4-1 in Yangon yesterday for their second win in as many matches at the Myanmar tournament.
Thailand's chief of delegation Thana Chaiprasit, who has took part in the SEA Games since 1995, was also impressed by the colourful ceremony.
"The ceremony in general and the fireworks in particular were great," he said. "It might not be the best opening ceremony in SEA Games history but it was really impressive."
In her first SEA Games as president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, Khunying Patama Leesawadtrakul said it was a great performance which set a new standard for future Games.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony has boosted faith that the nation is on the rise, quelling fears its "coming out" party at the event's opening ceremony would fall flat.
As the smoke cleared from a final 10-minute barrage of fireworks at the ceremony, spectators offered praise for the event and hope for their nation, which is emerging from decades of military rule.
"Myanmar has been a secret, but now we are open and are becoming a democracy. Everybody is welcome... we are so, so happy," said a beaming Khin Su Su Lwin, 23, who made the long drive from Yangon with her brother and cousin for the ceremony.
"The Games are not just a sporting event for our country," presidential spokesman Ye Htut said. "It's our chance to present Myanmar to the international community. We want to show we can hold an event like this in the new Myanmar." BANGKOK POST/AFP