'8 is my lucky number': Olympic torchbearer Thai banker Banthoon

BANGKOK, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The digit "8" is considered auspicious by Chinese, and it is more so for Banthoon Lamsam, a leading banker in Thailand who will from Saturday be known as an Olympic torchbearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"I'm running the 8th section in the Olympic torch relay in Bangkok, starting right at the our branch bank in the China Town. 8 is my lucky number," Banthoon Lamsam told Xinhua breezily on the eve of the April 19 relay.

Banthoon, CEO of Kasikornbank, is appearing at the bank's Bangkok headquarters standing by the Chao Phraya River as the host of an official welcoming banquet for the Beijing Olympics Torch Delegation and all the torchbearers, presided by Thailand's crown Princess Siridhorn.

Since 1992, Banthoon has been directing the Kasikornbank, which was founded by his elder generation in 1945 and has grown into one of the largest private banks in Thailand.

Born in 1953 to a Thai-Chinese family, the fifth-generation Chinese immigrant completed most of his education in the United States, including a master degree from Harvard University. But learning Chinese and Chinese culture has been his hobby.

"Four years ago, I made a wish that I would learn to speak Chinese before the August 8 opening of the Beijing Olympics. I would bring my family to Beijing in August to watch the Games, and it will be a chance to test my Chinese proficiency."

"It's very honorable to be part of Olympic movement, this international sporting activity. Being a torch bearer and hosting the welcoming ceremony for the Olympic Games -- it's once-in-a-lifetime thing for me and for our bank."

"To me, the Olympics are a very noble event which engages a lot of nations and a lot of people. It's something sacred, something that we all people should support to the utmost."

The Beijing Olympic Flame, on a chartered plane, arrived in Bangkok on early Friday morning, and is due to kindle the first Olympic torch to be carried on Saturday afternoon to set off the Olympic torch relay in the Thai capital. It is the first time for Thailand to be part of global Olympic Torch Relay, initiated in 1936.

Eighty torchbearers, selected from distinguished representatives of all walks of life in Thai society, will relay the Olympic Flame, originated from Athens and having traveled in 11 countries, to pass through a 10.4-kilometer route that covers Bangkok's most renowned landmarks.

"The Olympic Spirit surpasses any political, religious and racial conflicts, and therefore should be respected by all people, regardless of what opinions they might hold. The Olympic Torch Relay is to spread and share the Olympic Spirit among different people round the globe. No one has the right to disrupt this noble cause in any way."

Banthoon is confident the Bangkok leg relay will be smooth. "Thais are peace-loving and friendly people, I believe the torch relay in Bangkok will be a real 'Journey of Harmony', as the defined theme of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay."