Boxer Sudaporn Seesondee returned home on Monday with her dream Olympic medal which will change her life forever.
The 29-year-old claimed bronze in the women's 60kg division at the Tokyo Games which ended on Sunday.
She is Thailand's only one of two medallists at Tokyo 2020 along with taekwondo champion Panipak Wongpattanakit.
The Udon Thani native is also the country's first ever female boxer to win an Olympic medal.
Her medal is also the Kingdom's first in the sport at the Olympics for nine years after the boxing team failed to win a single medal at Rio 2016.
Sudaporn arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on the outskirts of Bangkok in the afternoon and received a bouquet of flowers given to her by HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, a former national badminton player and equestrian.
The fighter said he felt grateful to the Princess and thanked all parties involved, including Thailand Boxing Association (TBA) bosses and coaches and navy chief Chartchai Sriworakhan, for making her dream become true.
"I'd like to dedicate this success to all Thais," she said.
"I am ready to fight again at the 2024 Olympics in Paris."
The boxer then flew to the southern island resort of Samui to enter 14-day compulsory quarantine as required by the government's Covid-19 protocols for people who enter the country from abroad.
Sudaporn's life will never be the same again thanks to the Olympic medal.
Under the National Sports Development's bonus scheme, an Olympic champion will receive 12 million baht, a silver winner 7.2 million baht and a bronze medallist 4.8 million baht.
Also the National Olympic Committee of Thailand gives an Olympic medal winner a monthly salary for 20 years with a gold medallist receiving 12,000 baht, a silver medallist 10,000 baht and a bronze medallist 8,000 baht.
At the moment, she stands to get 14.72 million baht in cash and salary.
Sudaporn, a volunteer ranger at the Royal Thai Navy, will also be promoted to become a sub-lieutenant.
She is expected to get more cash rewards and gifts as well as sponsorship deals.
"My dream has become true," Sudaporn said before leaving Tokyo.
She said after completing quarantine she will go home to meet her mother.
"I miss her very much. I have not seen her for a long time," Sudaporn said.
She said she will consult her mother about what to do with the rewards.
"One thing is certain -- I will buy a new house for my mother to make her happy," said the boxer.
She also plans to donate 500,000 baht to buy medical equipment for hospitals in Udon Thani.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Sudaporn was assured of a podium finish after beating Great Britain's Caroline Dubois in the quarter-finals.
The Thai then lost 3-2 to Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the semi-finals to settle for bronze.
Harrington, 31, went on to claim gold after beating Brazil's Beatriz Ferreira on points in the final.
The Dubliner gave credit to her opponents, especially those who won medals in her class including Sudaporn.
"It's just an amazing feeling, to be getting in there and knowing that two of the best are putting it all on the line. I just think for anyone who steps through the ropes, we're already champions," she said on Sunday.
"We're Irish. We're a country of people who just love to give."
