BANGKOK, Nov 13 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told Thai national athletes heading for the Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines to win as many medals as they can and be Thai culture ambassadors.
Thai national athletes and their staff met the prime minister who is also the defence minister before leaving for the Philippines for the 30th SEA Games set from Nov 30 to Dec 11. The Thai government spends 723 million baht on sending 1,473 athletes to compete in 51 sports there.
Gen Prayut said he hoped the athletes would try their best in the games as sports were an indicator of national capabilities.
“I would like all athletes to be culture ambassadors. Use social media. Collect beautiful pictures of Thailand in mobile phones and show them to foreign athletes,” the prime minister said.
He also told the national athletes to maintain good morale so that they would be successful either in the upcoming games or subsequent events.
The prime minister thanked the private sector for helping sponsor Thai athletes now that the government has a limited budget for the purpose. (TNA)
