The April 18 relay through Bangkok was the Olympic flame's first visit to Thailand. The relay covered just over 10 km, and included Bangkok's Chinatown.[111] The torch was carried past Democracy Monument, Chitralada Palace and a number of other city landmarks.[112] Among the torchbearers were Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart,[113] followed by Thailand's five Olympic champions, Manus Boonjumnong, Somluck Kamsing, Udomporn Polsak, Vijan Polnlid and Pawina Thongsuk.[114] M.R. Narisa Chakrabongse, Green World Foundation (GWF) chairwoman, withdrew from the torch-running ceremony, protesting against China's actions in Tibet.[115] Several hundred protesters were present, along with Olympic supporters.[116] Thai authorities threatened to arrest foreign protesters and ban them from future entry into Thailand.[117] A coalition of Thai human rights groups announced that it would organise a "small demonstration" during the relay,[118] and several hundred people did indeed take part in protests, facing Beijing supporters.[119] Intended torchbearer Mom Rajawongse Narissara Chakrabongse boycotted the relay, to protest against China's actions in Tibet.[120] In Bangkok, students told the media that the Chinese Embassy provided them with transportation and gave them shirts to wear.[121]
The event was held in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, on April 21. The 16.5 km long-relay began from the historic Independence Square, passed in front of several city landmarks before coming to an end at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.[122] Among the landmarks the Olympic flame passed next to were the Parliament House, National Mosque, KL Tower and Merdeka Stadium. A team of 1000 personnel from the Malaysian police Special Action Squad guarded the event and escorted the torchbearers. There were a total of 80 torchbearers, comprising corporate figures, sports personalities and patrons of sports organizations. Cheah Soon Kit, Yap Kim Hock and Nicol David were among the torchbearers.[123] The last time an Olympic torch relay was held in Malaysia was the 1964 Tokyo edition.画像:DSC 0388.JPGA group of youths surrounded a suspected Tibet supporter demonstrating during the torch relay in Kuala Lumpur.[124]
A protest was expected on the day the relay took place in Kuala Lumpur.[125] Just days before the relay supporters of Falungong demonstrated in front of the Chinese embassy in the Malaysian capital.[126] As many as 1,000 personnel from the special police unit were expected to be deployed on the day of the relay.[127] A Japanese family with Malaysian citizenship and their 5-year-old child who unfurled a Tibetan flag were hit by a group of Chinese nationals with plastic air-filled batons and heckled by a crowd of Chinese citizens during the confrontation at Independence Square where the relay began,[128] and the Chinese group shouted: "Taiwan and Tibet belong to China."[129] Later during the day, the Chinese volunteers forcefully took away placards from two other Malaysians protesting at the relay. One of the protesting Malaysian was hit in the head.[130]
The Olympic flame reached Jakarta on April 22. Among the torchbearers were athletes Taufik Hidayat, Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma[131] and the governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo.[132] The original 20 km relay through Jakarta was cancelled due to "security worries", at the request of the Chinese embassy,[133] and the torch was instead carried round the city main's stadium, as it had been in Islamabad.[134] Several dozen pro-Tibet protesters gathered near the stadium, and were dispersed by the police.[135] The event was held in the streets around the city main's stadium. The cancelling of the relay through the city itself was decided due to security concerns and at the request of the Chinese embassy.[136] Only invitees and journalists were admitted inside the stadium. Protests took place outside the stadium.[137]Lifetime Olympic official, 92-year-old Julius (Judy) Patching, hands over to Jake Warcaba at the Stone of Remembrance, Canberra. Two Chinese flame attendants stand either side, assisting the two runners. A policeman stands to the left.画像:24042008354.jpgSpectators holding Chinese flags during the Canberra leg of the relay.
