Thai disabled athletes won 61 gold, 43 silver and 49 bronze from the ninth edition of Games in Malaysia and they got a total prize money of Bt42 million for their efforts.

Each Fespic Games gold medallists pocketed Bt300,000, while silver medallists took home Bt140,000 and bronze winners received Bt70,000.

Thailand Amateur Swimming Association's disabled athletes, who collected 30 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze, received the highest prize money of Bt16 million among representatives of sports associations.

The Thai contingent taking part in the Asian Games in Doha clinched 13 gold, 15 silver and 26 bronze and were rewarded with a total prize money of Bt97 million.

Every gold medallist of the Asiad took home Bt1 million, while silver medallists collected Bt500,000 and bronze winners got Bt200,000 apiece.

As expected, athletes of the Sepak Takraw Association of Thailand were awarded the maximum total prize money of Bt46 million for their remarkable performance of winning four gold and one silver.

The government also hosted a party to celebrate the success of the athletes. As a member of the Thai women's badminton team, HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana was also present yesterday.

"I am delight by the efforts of the athletes who succeeded in the Games and my regrets goes to all those who were disappointed," said Surayud.

"Winning and losing is part of sport but I want all people in charge of sports to realise that apart from skills, concentration is also important. I have seen this as a problem among our athletes," he added.

Meanwhile, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) will announce the name of the Best Male and Female Amateur Athletes of the Year at the National Sports Day Awards, which will be held today at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

Athens Olympics heroine Pawina Thongsuk and the country's No 2 tennis player Danai Udomchoke are the strongest contenders because of their outstanding display at the Asian Games.

Pawina ended the country's 40-year drought of winning a gold medal in weightlifting

and also set the world record in the 63kg division despite suffering a knee injury on her right leg.

Without the shadow of local ace Paradorn Srichaphan in the tennis team, Danai helped Thailand retain the men's singles title by beating South Korean world No 49 Lee Hyung-taik and earned the 13th gold medal for the country at the Asiad.