Thiraphong Silachai, Weerapol Wichuma and Surajana Khambao, the three heroic powerhouses of the Thai national team, have asked to return to training for the goal of winning a medal at the 2028 Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Duang-akson Jai-dee wants to finish his master’s degree before making a decision about his future.

The three Olympic heroes of the 2024 Paris Games, led by ‘Fang’ Thiraphong Silachai, silver medalist in men’s 61kg weightlifting, ‘Wave’ Weerapol Wichuma, silver medalist in men’s 73kg weightlifting, ‘Oil’ Surajana Khambao, bronze medalist in women’s 49kg weightlifting, and ‘Som’ Duang-aksorn Jaidee, 6th place in women’s over 81kg, along with their coaching staff, departed from Paris on flight TG 931 and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 06.40 hrs. They were welcomed by Polphum Viphatiphumphateamrung, advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, as a representative of the government. Executives from the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand and the educational institutions of the four
heroes were also waiting to welcome them. Meanwhile, the families of the four heroes who live in other provinces traveled to warmly welcome the four Thai Olympic heroes.

“Fang” Thiraphong Silachai said that this achievement is considered the most successful in his life as an athlete. He must thank the adults and supporters. As for his father, he has now left the hospital and returned home to recuperate. When his mission is complete, he will return to visit. As for building a new house for his father, he has not thought about it or has a plan in mind yet. He wants to go back and talk to his father first. After this, he will continue practicing for his highest goal, which is to win an Olympic gold medal in the United States in the next 4 years.

As for “Wave” Wiraphon Wichuma, he thanked everyone for their support throughout the competition. He was happy to win a medal for the Thai team, and what was even happier was being able to see his family after not seeing them for a long time. He is very happy now and w
ill go back to celebrate at his home in Sri Khoraphum District, Surin Province soon before going back to training for his goal of an Olympic gold medal in another 4 years.

As for “Oil” Surajana Khambeaw, she thanked all Thai people for their encouragement. After this, she will go back to practicing hard for her chance at the next Olympics. She intends to win an Olympic medal again. As for her current career or after she retires from the national team, she personally wants to be a civil servant and an army officer.

As for “Som” Duang-aksorn Jai-dee, she said that overall she was quite satisfied with her performance at this Olympics because it was a fierce competition. As for the statistics she achieved, she personally thought that she could have done better, but she was a little disappointed. She admitted that she felt quite pressured because everyone else had already won medals. She tried to let go as much as possible before the competition, but she didn’t know what would happen during the competition. From
now on, she will rest and prepare to finish her master’s degree because in the future she wants to be a teacher.

By Mr. Fang, his aunt and wife were waiting to welcome him because his father had just been discharged from the hospital and was receiving treatment in Sisaket Province.

Wave’s family, who drove from Sri Khruam District, Surin Province, also came to welcome him. They also received good news when the Air Force prepared to promote him from his current rank of Flight Sergeant. If he graduates with a bachelor’s degree, he will immediately be promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

As for the family of “Nong Oi” Surajana Kham Bao, her mother works in Betong District, Yala Province, while her older sister traveled from Chiang Rai Province to welcome her. Both of them said that in the past, Nong Oi had been very determined and practiced a lot. She had told her family that she was determined and that her biggest dream was to win a gold medal at the Olympics, but winning a bronze medal was considered her best. Fr
om now on, they will go eat and celebrate their success as a family, and Nong wants to take her mother to visit the Chiang Mai Zoo because her mother has never been there.

For the prize money that the Thai weightlifting team will receive, the silver medal, “Fang” Thiraphong Silachai and “Wave” Weerapol Wichuma will receive a bonus from the National Sports Fund, 7.2 million baht each, and a 20-year salary of 10,000 baht per month each, totaling 2.4 million baht each.

As for “Oil” Surjana Khambao, the bronze medalist, she received 4.8 million baht from the National Sports Fund if she chose to receive it in installments and received a salary of 8,000 baht per month for 20 years, totaling 1.92 million baht.

In addition, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the association’s main supporter, will give 3 million baht to the athletes who win silver medals and 2 million baht to the bronze medalists.

For the weightlifting team’s program, at 3:00 PM in the afternoon, they will travel to the Elect
ricity Generating Authority of Thailand to thank their sponsors and receive a cash prize. Then, on Friday, August 16, the Prime Minister will host a reception for athletes and officials at Government House.

Source: Thai News Agency