Bangkok, September 11, 2024, The Europe Today: Thailand’s Paralympic team concluded their most successful campaign at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Sunday, securing a total of six gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze medals. The team finished 21st in the overall medal standings, with China once again dominating the competition, amassing 94 gold, 76 silver, and 50 bronze medals.
Thailand emerged as the top-performing nation in Southeast Asia, surpassing regional competitors Malaysia (42nd), Singapore (44th), Indonesia (50th), and Vietnam (79th).
Wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana had a standout performance, becoming the first female Paralympic athlete to win gold in all three fencing disciplines—sabre, foil, and epee—at a single Games. The 50-year-old from Chiang Mai took gold in the women’s sabre, foil, and epee category B events, while also earning a bronze medal in the women’s epee team event.
In the men’s wheelchair fencing competition, Visit Kingmanaw won a silver medal in the epee category B event, marking Thailand’s only men’s fencing medal in Paris.
Thailand’s para table tennis team had a strong showing, winning nine medals—four silver and five bronze. Runjroj Thainiyom claimed two silver medals in the men’s singles MS6 and men’s doubles MD4 events.
The para-athletics team also contributed significantly, winning eight medals—two gold, five silver, and one bronze. Wheelchair racer Pongsakorn Paeyo, a three-time gold medalist at Tokyo 2020, retained his 400m T53 title and earned silver in the 100m and 800m events. Chaiwat Rattana won gold in the men’s 100m T34 event and added a silver medal in the men’s 800m event.
Thailand’s boccia team also found success, winning one gold and two bronze medals. Worawut Saengampa took gold in the men’s individual BC2 event, while Watcharaphon Vongsa claimed bronze in the same category. The mixed pairs BC4 event secured another bronze medal for Thailand.
A breakthrough moment for female athletes came in the para-athletics competition, where Sasirawan Inthachot became the first female Thai runner to win a Paralympic medal. The 21-year-old from Si Sa Ket won bronze in the women’s 200m T47 final, clocking a season-best time of 25.20 seconds. Sasirawan had previously earned medals in the 200m and 100m events at the Asian Para Games and world championships.
In powerlifting, Kamolpan Kraratpet earned Thailand’s first medal in the sport by securing a bronze in the women’s up to 55kg category.
The athletes are expected to receive around 135 million baht in cash bonuses from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), with triple gold medalist Saysunee Jana receiving the largest share. Paralympic gold medalists will receive 7.2 million baht, silver medalists 4.8 million baht, and bronze medalists 3 million baht each.
Thailand’s Paralympic success in Paris marks a new chapter of achievement for the nation, highlighting the remarkable dedication and skill of its athletes on the global stage.
