Thailand mulls giving more money to Olympic medalists

BANGKOK, August 10 (TNA) - Thailand is considering to give more money to athletes who win medals at Olympics, including the 2012 London Games. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpaarcha told reporters that he plans to discuss with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to increase the reward size for Thai Olympic medalists. Thailand has so far won one silver and one bronze from women weightlifting and women taekwondo at the ongoing London Olympics. The country secured totally five medals, including two gold, from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The deputy premier said in overall, he is satisfied with the overall performances of Thai athletes, acknowledging that Thailand may have to, however, follow China's model in developing national athletes so that the Kingdom reaches greater achievement at Olympics, and that Chinese athletes start practicing since they are very young. (TNA)