'James' Worawut Saeng-ampa, the individual boccia gold medalist, led the first Paralympic team back to Thailand, where the new Minister of Tourism and Sports welcomed them. The first group of Thai Paralympic athletes returned from the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France, led by 'James' Worawut Sang-ampa, gold medal in Boccia, Individual BC2; Rungroj Thainiyom, two silver medals in Men's Singles Table Tennis, Class MS6 and Men's Doubles, Class MD14; Watcharapol Wongsa, bronze medals in Boccia, Individual BC2; and Pornchoke Lapyen and Nuanchan Ponsila, bronze medals in Boccia, Mixed Team, Class BC4; and athletes in Mental Athletics, Intellectual Athletics, Intellectual Swimming, and Judo. They arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport where they were welcomed by Mr. Surawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand; Lt. Col. Nayanop Bhirombhakdi, Chairman of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand; and Mr. Amnuay Klin-yu, President of the Blind Sport s Association of Thailand. 'James' Worawut Saeng-ampa, the gold medalist in the Boccia Individual BC2, said that he was delighted to win the gold medal and would like to tell fellow athletes with disabilities and non-athletes with disabilities to keep fighting and trying, and to try to play sports like them. One day, they may be successful and bring fame to Thailand. Mr. Surawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said that as the Minister of Tourism and Sports who has just taken office, he would like to congratulate and be proud of all Thai Paralympic athletes who both won medals and those who could not win medals in this Paralympic Games, which has brought fame to Thailand. He is ready to fully support sports. The second and third groups of athletes will return this evening, led by Saisunee Jana, who made history as the first female wheelchair fencer in the world to win 3 gold medals and 1 bronze, Phongsakon Paeyo, gold medal in the men's 400-meter wheelchair racing, T53 class, and "Beam" Chaiwa t Rattana, gold medal in the men's 100-meter wheelchair racing, T34 class. For Thai Paralympic athletes this time, they won the most Paralympic medals, 6 gold medals, 11 silver medals and 13 bronze medals, totaling 30 medals, which is the best result in history since they competed 10 times before, since 1984 or 40 years ago. The criteria of the National Sports Development Fund that will be given to the Paralympic team that wins a gold medal: 6,000,000 baht (one-time payment) or 7,200,000 baht (divided into payments by receiving 50% up front and the remaining 50% to be paid monthly over 4 years); silver medal: 4,000,000 baht (one-time payment) or 4,800,000 baht (divided into payments); bronze medal: 2,500,000 baht (one-time payment) or 3,000,000 baht (divided into payments). Source: Thai News Agency