Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee presided over the annual sports awards run by the Sports Reporters Association of Thailand at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.

Danai, ranked No 98 in the world, and Pawina performed superbly to win gold medals for the Kingdom at last year's Asian Games, with Pawina claiming Thailand's first weightlifting gold in the Asiad in 40 years with a record-shattering performance in the 63kg division.

Both Danai and Pawina had already won the best male and female amateur athletes awards at the Sports Day last December, while Pawina also got an award at the Siam Sport Award Presentation in March.

Pongsaklek, who has defended his title 17 times in a row, emerged as the best professional athlete as he is in line to break Khaosai Galaxy's long-standing record of title defenses.

Danai, Pawina and Pongsaklek will receive the prestigious King's Cup trophies, while Jomthong Pomkwannarong, who captured the Best Professional Muay Thai Award, will get the HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn trophy.

The best men's team award went to the 4x100m relay team which won the gold medal in the Doha Asiad, while the women's rifle prone team, which also claimed Asiad gold, won the women's team award.

The Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand won the Best Sports Association award, with track and field coach Pol Maj Gen Suppanut Ariyamongkol sealing Best Coach for Amateur Athletes and Thawat Kamutpongpanich (sepak takraw) clinching the best team manager award.