Thai London Paralympic Medalists Return Home

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Thai London Paralympic medalists return home

BANGKOK, Sept 11 -- Thailand’s Paralympic squad returned home Tuesday, met by a warm welcome en route from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Conrad Hotel where a government reception was held in their honour.

Upon the their arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the gathered crowd of wellwishers cheered and waved Thai flags welcoming their heroes.

The squad then went by motorcade with a doubledecker bus and other vehicles from Victory Monument to the Conrad Hotel where the government reception was held, presided over by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thailand sent a squad of 50 athletes – 39 men and 11 women -- to compete in 10 events at the 14th Paralympics in London. At the outset they had set their sights on only two gold medals.

But they came home to a heroes’ welcome by achieving eight medals-- four golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

The gold medalists were Rungroj Thainiyom in table tennis, a mixed coccia team (Pattaya Tadtong and his teammates Witsanu Huadpradit, Watcharaphon Vongsa and Mongkol Jitsa-Ngiem), Pattaya for mixed individual boccia and fencer Saysunee Jana.

Thailand's silver medals came from the wheelchair racers team in the men's 4x400m relay (Prawat Wahoram, Saichon Konjen, Supachai Koysub, and Sopa Intasen). Prawat also won a silver medal in the men's 1500m wheelchair racing.

Saichon was the winner of both bronze medals, in the Men's 100m and 800m wheelchair racings.

Thailand earlier won nine golds – five at Sydney 2000, three at Athens 2004 and one at Beijing 2008.

Thai Paralympic Committee Foundation chairman Jutinan Bhirombhakdi said earlier that he was proud of Thai athletes and staff that could achieve beyond expectation. He said the gold medal the Thai athletes won were less important than the Thai squad have proved the potential of Thai athlete at the international arena.

The medals they won were not only an honour for them as individuals but also for the nation, he said.

The government has increased the bonus for the gold medalists from Bt4 million to Bt6 million; silver medalists from Bt2 million to Bt4 million and bronze medallist from Bt1 million to Bt2 million.(MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-11

[theblether]

The Olympics were fantastic and the Paralympics were sensational, inspirational and I think for many, they have changed people's perception of disability forever.

Congratulations to everyone that took part, and special congratulations to the Thai athlete's for making the whole country feel proud, that's all the athlete's not just the medal winners.

The Olympic spirit has meant something through the ages, and the Paralympians have taken it to a whole new level. Fantastic.

[asiawatcher]

Yes - excellent and glad the Govt paid a bonus to recompense the years of costly training. Well done Thailand para-athletes.

[rubl]

Even if they hadn't won any medals one cannot but have respect for these Paralympics competitors.

I hope the nine year old boy who sadly lost a leg a few days ago will get all the help and encouragement needed to pick up his life and strive to be part of the team in 2020.

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Paralympians light up airport with gold haul

The Nation

Pattaya Tadtong is cheered at Suvarnabhumi Airport as he kisses his two gold medals won in the London Paralympic Games boccia competition.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Paralympic athletes returned home from the 14th Games in London to a hero's welcome yesterday after making a big impact, capturing four gold, two silver and two bronze medals to finish 31st overall.

Of the 4,294 athletes from 164 countries taking part in London, Thailand sent 50 (39 men and 11 women) to compete in 10 sports. Their initial target was two gold medals.

Rungroj Thainiyom ignited Thai pride by handing the country its first gold, winning the men's individual table tennis title.

The other gold medals came from the four-man boccia team led by Pattaya Tadtong, and fencer Saysunee Jana in the women's individual epee. Pattaya went out with a bang after winning his second gold, in the men's individual boccia a few days before the Thais' return home.

The Thai athletes were greeted at 3pm yesterday at Suvarnbhumi Airport by Sombat Kuruphan, assistant minister for tourism and sports, Sports Authority of Thailand governor Kanokpan Jullakasem, Thai Paralympic Committee Foundation chairman Jutinan Bhirombhakdi, their families and a large crowd of fans, who cheered and waved Thai flags. Bouquets of flowers were presented to athletes, some of whom were reduced to tears by the emotion.

The athletes then starred in a parade of cars and open-top buses which made its way to the Conrad Hotel for the reception hosted by the government. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presided over the function and presented cash incentives totalling Bt79.5 million to medallists, coaches and sports associations.

Jutinan said the four gold medals had surpassed all expectations.

"It was a significant success. The athletes made Thailand proud by winning four golds - more than what we had initially expected. I'm delighted to learn that Thais have been able to see the incredible abilities of our physically challenged athletes," said the TPCF chairman.

"We will continue to develop the potential of our handicapped athletes. I hope to see more support from society and more athletes joining the national team for the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games," he added.

Sawat Tadtong, father of double gold medallist Pattaya, said he was thrilled about his son's exploits in London. "I want to spend Bt4 million in constructing 10 new boccia courts in Amnart Charoen," said Sawat. "It's what my son has dreamed of for a long time."

-- The Nation 2012-09-12

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National Sports Development Fund to present cash incentives to Thai Paralympic medalists

BANGKOK, 12 September 2012 (NNT) – In addition to a very warm welcome and cheers, all 2012 Paralympics medalists and their coaches are set to receive more cash incentives from the sports development fund.

The National Sports Development Fund, on Tuesday, revealed that cash incentives have been prepared for medalists from the London 2012 Paralympics as well as respective coaches and sports associations.

At the 14th Paralympic Games, Thailand has collected 8 medals, including 4 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.

The National Sports Development Fund has decided to award 6 million baht to each gold medal, 4 million baht to each silver and 2 million baht to each bronze medal.

All in all, 79.5 million baht will be given out, in hopes of boosting the morale of the athletes and encouraging them to keep on practicing to enhance their potential.

-- NNT 2012-09-12

[ALFREDO]

Well done! Maybe an inspiration for some more disabled to try their best and train and give it all, to have a chance to compete in 2016 in South America.

[Dap]

Welcome home champions, one and all. Very happy to see the well deserved recognition. Big Cheers.

[Baerboxer]

Fantastic performances by all the Paraolympians. It was wonderful to see the raw emotion and exhileration of the medal winners. I hope my son will be able to compete one day.

[Ferangled]

I'd like to echo the sentiments expressed here, these men and women are truly an inspiration! Well done to all that competed, you are the embodiment of the Olympic spirit and an example to us all

[Thai at Heart]

Shame that half the 79mm wasn't spent up front to help them before they got their gold.

Well done to all.