Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, encouraged by her father, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, graced the Asian Games by participating in equestrian events in Hangzhou.
The 36-year-old princess, who previously competed in badminton at the 2006 Games, is now a member of Thailand's dressage team, taking part in both team and individual competitions at the Tonglu Equestrian Centre.
Speaking of her motivation, Princess Sirivannavari stated, "I will do my best for the people of Thailand. They're my cheerleaders, my power, and my fuel. I play for the Thai people." This marks her third appearance at the Asian Games, having previously participated in badminton in 2006 and equestrian events in 2014.
The princess expressed gratitude for her father's support, saying, "Luckily, our father is supporting us. He has always said, 'Go for it! You want to do it? Do it.'" She developed her equestrian skills at the age of nine and received training in France. Princess Sirivannavari emphasised the long-standing tradition of sports competition within the royal family, noting, "Since my grandfather's time, the royal family has always competed in sports."
In the realm of fashion, Princess Sirivannavari is also a dedicated fashion designer who has showcased her work at Paris Fashion Week. She revealed that her sister's passion for horses and show-jumping served as her inspiration for participating in the Asian Games, stating, "I do it for my sister. My sister is a horse lover and a showjumper, and she wants to be on the national team, but she cannot make it. So she gave everything to me: all the information, all of her strategy, all of the equipment."
Her elder sister, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, faced health challenges last year, including heart, lung, and kidney issues, further underscoring the family's close bond and support for each other.
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