THANK YOU PARTY
KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej with the four Beijing medal winners, from left, Manus Boonjumnong (silver), Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon (gold), Buttree Puedpong (silver) and Somjit Jongjohor (gold). |
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday thanked all the Thai participants for their performances in the 29th Olympic Games and gave warm praise to China in organising the Games.
The premier, who presided over the congratulation party for the Thai representatives at the Royal Navy Club, said that their achievement made all the Thai people very happy.
''On behalf of the Thai people, I thank all of you for your efforts,'' he said.
''We have been happy for many days... except yesterday,'' he said, referring to the rallies of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Of the 204 countries at the Beijing Games, Thailand won two golds and two silvers to finish 31st in the medals table. The golds came from weightlifter Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon and boxer Somjit Jongjohor while the silvers were won by taekwondo exponent Buttree Puedpong and boxer Manus Boonjumnong.
Samak said that a long time ago, he was very proud just seeing the Thai national flag in the Games, but nowadays winning medals has become more important.
''You do not have to be disappointed if you cannot win gold because there is always a good reason if you lose.''
He also praised 17-year-old Buttree who became the nation's most successful taekwondo exponent.
''I am very happy for Nong Song to win the silver. She won it thanks to her skill, there was no fluke,'' he said.
''Manus does not have to be sorry even though he could not win the gold.''
The prime minister also presented the cash incentives and souvenirs for the medallists and their associations and coaches. Each gold medallist earned 10 million baht from the National Sports Development Fund while the silver winners collected six million baht each.
Golden girl Prapawadee said that Mr Samak called her after winning the gold to offer his congratulations and advise on how to behave and to spend the money.
The premier said that China had done a brilliant job in organising the great sports event and it made everyone in Asia very proud.
Maj-Gen Charuek Areerachkaran, secretary-general of the Olympic Committee of Thailand (OCT) said that the committee was likely to ask the government to pay more for the medallists because it would encourage other athletes to work harder and perform better.
''Compared to China and other European countries, our medallists won less financial support from the government,'' said Maj-Gen Charuek, citing China which paid about 17 million baht to gold medallists. ''Our medallist should get more because they are not professionals.''
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