Thailand: ‘Missing’ Torches Found

2008-04-26 16:02

• (Photo courtesy: Charnaron g Porndilokrad/ DAILY XPRESS)

• BANGKOK, THAILAND: The mystery of Thai actor Christopher Benjakul’s missing Olympic torch has been solved after he claimed that it was “snatched away” during the 19 Apr relay.

Olympic Committee of Thailand (OCT) president Yutthasak Sasiprapa said it was all a misunderstanding. Once the actor had passed on the flame during the relay, volunteers had kept Benjakul’s torch in the coach carrying the torchbearers who had completed their stage.

Yutthasak said another torch, which was also ‘missing’ had been found. It had been kept in a safe place by staff of Samsung, the event’s main sponsor.

However, a city sanitation worker found an unclaimed Olympic torch, the 81st, in front of the OCT headquarters on 21 Apr. It had not been lit.

Eighty torchbearers took part in the 10.5km route in Bangkok

“I think the BOCOG (Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee) might have had some reserve torches for the Bangkok Leg,” Yutthasak said, adding that if no one can prove they are the owner, they will keep the torch in the OCT museum.

(Daily Xpress/ AsiaNews)