Apart from accolades and trophies, it's time for the winners to collect their prize money from the Thai government.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday handed out combined prize money worth more than Bt140 million to Thai heroes and heroines of the Asian Games and the Fespic Games.

Here's the simple maths for the Asian Games' winners at Doha: every gold medal is translated into Bt1 million in cash.  Silver medallists receive Bt500,000, bronze medallists Bt200,000. Prize money is also given to all athletes, including every member of the reserve teams.

The Thai government and sponsors give combined prize money of Bt97.2 million, Bt64.8 million of which goes to athletes, Bt12.96 million to trainers and Bt19.44 million to sports associations.

Thai contenders also did well at the parallel Fespic Games in Malaysia for physically challenged athletes. Thailand collected 61 gold medals, 43 silver and 49 bronze. The gold winners will receive Bt300,000, the silver Bt140,000 and the bronze Bt70,000. Trainers will get 10 per cent. Total prize money for Fespic winners is Bt42.933 million.

Buaban Pamang, the women's javelin gold medal winner, said she planned to use her prize money to construct a house for her family in Chiang Rai. Golden boxer Manus Boonjumnong said the money would help him restart his life after he spent virtually all his winnings from his Olympics gold on gambling.

Our verdict is that the money is worth every penny. The financial rewards not only improve the standard of living for Thai athletes, but also serve as an inspiration for the future generation of athletes - they too can earn a living through the same hard work and dedication.

busdsk@nationgroup.com