As the 2008 Beijing Olympics ended Thailand was the nation with the most medals from the S.E. Asian region with four medals. The two golds came courtesy of veteran boxer Jongjohor Somnit (who lost out in the 2004 Athen Olympics) and woman weightlifter P. Jaroenrattanatarakoon. The Siler medals were won by Buttree Puedpong, who was a happy loser in the women’s taekwondo under-49kg category and Manus Boonjumnong who failed to defend the gold he won in Athens four years ago.

Although only half the amount of medals won 4 years ago in Athens Thailand is still the strongest S.E. Asian country. The other four countries in the region won at least a medal each except for the Filipinos who went home with no medals at all.

This brings Thailand’s total Olympic medal count to 21, 7 Gold, 4 Silver and 19 Bronze. This boost them above Indonesia in the number of gold medals won, who have only 6, but it still leaves them trailing second to Indonesia in overall medals who have 25.

I’m sure none of this matters to the winners of the Gold medals though who each receive a 15Million Baht bonus for their achievements when they return home. Well Done Thailand!