Olympic silver medallist Kaew Pongprayoon will make a return to the Thai national team.
Kaew Pongprayoon.
The 34-year-old, who lost to China's Zuo Shiming in the 49kg final at the 2012 London Games, said yesterday he was ready to come out of retirement.
"I am always ready to represent the country again,'' said Kaew who has been a national coach after he hung up his gloves after the London Games.
He revealed he was approached to compete at next year's SEA Games and the 2016 Olympic qualifying events.
"Our boxers in the 49kg division are not strong enough,'' he said.
Kaew has won four gold medals, one silver and one bronze in six SEA Games appearances.
He finished runner-up at the 2012 London Games on his Olympic debut.
But while he is ready to make a comeback, he is unsure if he will be successful again because there are a number of good young fighters in the 49kg division including those from Vietnam, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Cuba.
"It will be much tougher for me,'' he said.
He will be eligible to take part in the Olympics after the International Boxing Association (Aiba) raised the athletes' age limit from 34 to 40.
Thailand coach Somyot Chunlasen said that Kaew was a contender to fight at the 2015 SEA Games to be held in Singapore.
"He has to fight a boxer from our 'B' team to represent Thailand at the SEA Games," he said.
Tanes Ongjunta's decision to move up from the 49kg class to the 52kg division has opened way for Kaew's return.
Somyot said Kaew was capable of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.
There will be several international tournaments next year including the SEA Games, Asian Championships and World Championships.