Mr. Chumpol Silpa-archa stated on behalf of the National Sports Development Fund that during the 30th Olympic help in London, Thailand sent 37 athletes to compete in 16 different sports. Throughout the weeks, Thai athletes have shown their ability and dedication with support of all the Thai people. They succeeded in securing 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal and stood at 57th on the ranking table or 11th in Asia and 1st in ASEAN. This has subsequently brough pride to all the Thai people. In addition, Thailand sent a number of athletes to participate in the 3rd Asian Beach Games in Haiyang between 16 and 22 June 2012 in 12 different sports. Thailand was ranked 2nd in Asia with 13 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze medals.

The Minister of Tourism and Sport said further that the government is holding a reception is celebration of this success and in support of all the athletes in the two events. In particular, the National Sports Development Fund will award the athletes the following: 6 million baht for individual Olympic silver medal, 4 million baht for individual Olympic bronze medal, 200,000 bath for Asian Beach Games for every gold medal, 100,000 for every silver medal and 50,000 for every bronze medal. All the awards totalled 46,640,000 Baht.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister presented the awards to the Olympic athletes as follows: 1) Mr. Kaew Pongprayoon who achieved the Olympic silver medal in lightweight boxing (male 49 kg.) received cash award and monthly living expenses amounting to 6,000,000 baht; 2) Ms. Pimsiri Sirikaew who achieved the Olympic silver medal in weightlifting (female 58 kg.) received cash award and monthly living expenses amounting to 6,000,000 baht; and 3) Ms. Chanatip Sonkam who achieved the Olympic bronze medal in Teakwando (female 49 kg.) received cash award and monthly living expenses amounting to 4,000,000 baht. The Prime Minister also presented shields of honour to the following involved sport associations: 1) Athletic Association of Thailand; 2) Thailand Equestrain Federation; 3) Thai Cycling Association; 4) Teakwando Association of Thailand; 5) Table Tennis Association of Thailand; 6) The Badminton Association of Thailand; 7) Boxing Association of Thailand; 8) Thailand Amateur Weightlifting Federation; 9) National Archery Association of Thailand; 10) National Shooting Sport Association of Thailand; 11) Skeet & Trap Shooting Assoctiation of Thailand; 12) Judo Association of Thailand; 13) Yacht Racing Association of Thailand; 14) The Rowing and Canoeing Association of Thailand; 15) Thailand Swimming Association; and 16) Windsurfing Association of Thailand.

The Prime Minister also presented cash award to 88 athletes and 8 sport associations involved in the 3rd Asian Beach Games amounting to 26,640,000 baht as follows: 1) Kabaddi Association of Thailand with 1 silver medal awarded cash ward of 900,000 baht; 2) Royal Aeronautic Sports Association of Thailand with 3 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal awarded 2,625,000 baht; 3) Takraw Association of Thailand with 4 gold medals awarded 10,320,000 baht; 4) The Rowing and Canoeing Association of Thailand with 1 gold and 4 bronze medals awarded 6,720,000 baht; 5) Thailand Volleyball Association with 1 gold medal awarded 600,000 baht; 6) Windsurfing Association of Thailand with 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal awarded 675,000 baht; 7) Thailand Woodball Association with 4 gold and 2 silver medals awarded 4,500,000 baht; 8) Thailand Extreme Sports Association with 1 gold medal awarded 300,000 baht.

After the presentation of awards and shields of honour, the Prime Minister congratulated and thanked all the athletes as well as all involved parties for bringing success and pride back to the country and all the Thai people. PM Yingluck also said that such achievements would be exemplary to the young generation of Thailand to strive themselves further in achieving their goals.

The success among the Thai athletes is inevitably stemmed from their selfless dedication and commitment as well as disciplines and vigorous trainings. On this note, the Prime Minister affirmed that the government would continue to support sports in Thailand towards achieving excellence in sport performance. In this connection, the government has initiated “1 sport – 1 enterprise” project in an attempt to develop sport industry and encourage private sector to support various sports by way of incorporating sport technologies in order to push the envelop further.