Big greeting for returning Olympians

The returning Thai Olympic athletes were greeted with a parade, a government reception and, for the medalists at least, a substantial sum of money.

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The Olympic boxing team is pictured en route from the airport to Siam Paragon. Enthusiastic crowds lined the route. THITI WANAMONTHA

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Medallists return to hero's welcome

Cash awards pour in for Olympians

Silver medallist Kaew Pongprayoon is reunited with his mother Mali, who has become a bit of a celebrity herself. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

Use your imagination. That's gold, right? THITI WANAMONTHA

Hundreds of people flocked to Suvarnabhumi airport to greet the last group of Thailand's London Olympians who included Kaew – the Thai people's gold medallist – and taekwondo bronze medallist Chanatip Sonkham.

Weightlifting silver winner Pimsiri Sirikaew, the kingdom's only other medallist at the 2012 Olympics, arrived home last week and joined the rest of the Olympic team at the airport yesterday.

"You are our gold medallist," several people shouted when they saw Kaew.

The 32-year-old lost to China's Zou Shiming in the 49kg final but a large number of Thais still believe he was robbed of a victory.

Kaew, from Kamphaeng Phet, hugged his father Kam and mother Mali when he met them.

"I love you most," Kaew told Mali.

"I missed you a lot. I don't have anything special for you today except love," replied Mali. "You did your best."

Kam added: "I also have love for you. When we arrive home, I will make som tam, grilled chicken and sticky rice for you."

Silver medallist weightlifter Pimsiri Sirikaew joined the parade as well. THITI WANAMONTHA

Among those at the airport included bosses of several companies who gave the three Thai medal winners cash or a cheque as financial rewards for their success.

Several firms set a bonus scheme for gold, silver and bronze medallists. However, many of them rewarded Kaew as if he were a gold medallist as they joined the "Kaew was robbed" bandwagon.

A businessman was at the airport with 10 million baht in cash in his briefcase and deposited the money in Kaew's account at a bank there.

"You unanimously win Thais' hearts, so we give you a special prize," said an executive of another company who gave Kaew a one-million-baht cheque.

The Olympic squad then took part in a parade from Victory Monument to Siam Paragon shopping mall where the government's reception party was held. The function was presided over by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Kaew and Pimsiri each received six million baht from the premier. Under the government's bonus programme for Olympians, a silver medallist gets the sum with three million baht in cash and the rest in monthly salary over five years.

Chanatip got a total of four million baht.

"I am glad to make Thais happy," Kaew told reporters. "I did my best and we should accept the result."

Bronze medallist Chanatip Sonkham together with her Korean taekwando coach Choi Young Seok (left). THITI WANAMONTHA

Kaew is expected to receive over 20 million baht in financial rewards from the government and private sector.

Yingluck thanked the participants and vowed that her administration would give its support for both sports for competition and for health.

"You all got gold medals from all Thais," she said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra poses with Olympic medallists and their cheques, from left, Pimsiri Sirikaew(silver), Kaew Pongprayoon (silver) and Chanatip Sonkham (bronze). PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

The Olympic medallists will appear in several TV programmes over the next few days – or weeks.

Kaew's mother Mali is now also popular because of her boxing stunts while watching her son on TV. She appeared in a couple of TV shows yesterday before going to the airport.

en route – bound for  มุ่งหน้าไป
enthusiastic – very interested in something or excited about it  อย่างสนใจ กระตือรือร้น
line – to form lines or rows along something  เรียงเป็นแนว
cash – money เงินสด
award – a prize or a sum of money that is given to someone following an official decision รางวัล
reunite – to bring together again รวมกันใหม่
celebrity – someone who is famous, especially in the entertainment business คนมีชื่อเสียง
flock – to go somewhere in large numbers; to gather together in large numbers แห่กันไป
rob – to take money or property illegally from a person or place ปล้น, ปล้นจี้
victory – winning a competition or a battle ชัยชนะ
imagination – the ability to form pictures in the mind จินตนาการ
hug –to put your arms round someone กอด
grilled – cooked  by direct heat, especially under a very hot surface ย่าง
financial – involving money เกี่ยวกับเงิน, ทางการเงิน
firm – a business or company บริษัท
scheme – a plan that is developed by a government or large organisation in order to provide a particular service for people  แผนการ โครงการ
join the bandwagon – to join others in doing something that is becoming popular or fashionable  เข้าร่วมกิจกรรมที่มีคนจำนวนมาก
briefcase – a flat case used for carrying papers and documents กระเป๋าหิ้ว, กระเป๋าหิ้วใส่เอกสารdeposit – to put money into a bank account ฝากเงิน (ทางการธนาคาร)
unanimous – agreed by everyone เป็นเอกฉันท์
executive – a senior manager in a business or other organisation ผู้บริหาร
squad – a team in sports ทีม
reception – a formal party at which important people are welcomed or, in this case, congratulated งานตอบรับ
function – social occasion งานสังคม
preside – to be in charge of a ceremony, official meeting, or other event  เป็นประธานในพิธี
private sector – businesses and industries that are not owned or controlled by the government ภาคเอกชน
vow – to make a formal and serious promise to do something สาบาน, ปฏิญาณ
administration – government รัฐบาล
pose – to stay in a particular position in order to be photographed วางท่าถ่ายรูป
stunt – something silly, fun or unusual to which is done to get public attention