The South-East Asian nation finished sixth on the medals table with 21 gold, 29 silver and 47 bronze medals, behind only five heavy hitters of Asian sport in China, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Uzbekistan.

Among the biggest Thai stars were track and field athletes Pichaya Kurattanasiri, Saichon Konjen, Kitsana Jorchuy and Rawat Tana, all of whom won two gold medals apiece, while gold medals were also won in boccia, wheelchair tennis, powerlifting and table tennis.

A 217-strong team, competing in a Games which ran from October 18 to 24, also included athletes from the sports of archery, swimming, goalball, badminton, shooting, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair basketball, ten-pin bowling and judo.

At the Ceremony, held in The Mall Shopping Centre Ngamwongwan on the outskirts of capital Bangkok at the same time as the ongoing Asian Beach Games here, the competitors were given flowers and spoke widely about their experiences.

Many members of the management of the Shopping Centre were present, along with customers, friends and family members. 

The team were given a parade of honour through the Shopping Centre ©Facebook



The team were no doubt boosted ahead of the event by a message from Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who said, while it was important for the team to compete for medals, they should also foster relationships with competitors from other countries and enjoy the experience of competing on the world stage.

The next major challenge will come at Rio 2016, where Thailand will be hoping to improve upon the four gold and eight total medals won at London 2012, good enough only for 31st position on the medals table.

More photos from the Ceremony can be found here.

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