Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday praised the country's Olympians for their efforts and declared the Thai campaign at the recently-concluded 2016 Rio Games a success.
Talking to the athletes who represented Thailand at the Rio Olympics at a reception at Government House, the prime minister said that on behalf of his government and the Thai people, he would like to thank all of them for their hard work.
The party followed a victory parade through Bangkok, setting off from Indoor Stadium, Hua Mark.
"We were successful and the results were satisfying," Gen Prayut said.
"However, there are lots of things to learn and improve.
"You are all doing it for the country and that has won the Thai people's hearts."
With 54 athletes taking part in 17 sports in the Rio Games, Thailand captured two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Prayut added that he had watched almost all the sports the Thais took part in.
Olympic bronze winner Panipak Wongpattanakit and coach Choi Young Seok. (Photo by Jiraporn Kuhakan)
He expressed his satisfaction that all the Thai athletes competed at the Games in a respectable manner and showed sportsmanship.
"Sports are not only about winning or losing. They are about friendship as well," he said.
He urged all the national sports associations to start nurturing young and talented athletes so that they are able to replace the veterans and keep this continuous development going.
Prayut said the government is ready to give support to all the national governing bodies, especially for projects aimed at making Thailand a sports hub in the region.
The prime minister handed over cheques to all the Rio Games medallists, their coaches and associations.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hosts a party for the Thai Olympic team at Government House. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
According to the National Sports Development Fund's bonus scheme for successful Olympians, a gold winner receives 12 million baht, a silver medallist 7.2 million baht and a bronze medallist 4.8 million baht.
The Thai gold medallists in Rio were weightlifters Sopita Tanasan and Sukanya Srisurat.
Weightlifter Pimsiri Sirikaew and taekwondo fighter Tawin Harnprab claimed silver medals, while bronze medals were picked up by weightlifter Sinphet Kruaithong and Panipak Wongpattanakit in taekwondo.
Separately, the two successful associations -- the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association and Taekwondo Association of Thailand -- will earn 30 percent and coaches 20 percent of the cash incentives received by their athletes.
Half of these sums were presented in cash while the rest will be paid in installments over four years.
As for the remaining 48 athletes who failed to win any medal, they received 100,000 baht each, bringing the total cash incentive to 65 million baht.
"I hope you will spend money in the right way, taking care of your parents and also your friends," said Prayut.
"As for Pimsiri, who wants to be a soldier, I tried to help her when I was the army chief. Let's try again now."