KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand won four gold medals in table tennis on the last day of the ninth Asean Para Games on Saturday as the Kingdom could only finish third overall.
Rungroj Thainiyom defeated compatriot Chalermpong Phanphu 3-1 in the final of the SM 6-7 class.
It was the 2012 Paralympic champion's eighth successive Asean Para Games gold medal in the singles event.
"It was a tough match because we train together and know each other well," said Rungroj.
"My next tournament will be the Asian Para Games in Indonesia next year. I must be well-prepared for that event, which is much tougher than the Asean Para Games. There will be a lot of top players of the world at the Asian Para Games."
Table tennis champion Rungroj Thainiyom, left, poses with runner-up Chalermpong Phanphu.
The other Thai table tennis players, who won gold medals Saturday were Wanchai Chaiwut (men's SM 4), Dararat Asayuth (women's SF 1-3) and Yutthachak Klinbanchuen (men's SM 3).
In all, Thailand claimed nine titles in the sport at the KL Games.
In goalball, the Thai women beat Laos 5-0 in the final, but their male compatriots lost 9-5 to Malaysia and settled for silver.
Indonesia were crowned overall winners with 126 gold medals, ahead of Malaysia (90) and defending champions Thailand (68).
"We have to admit that Indonesia and Malaysia were better prepared for the Games," said Sakol Wannapong, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, president of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, said the country's athletes did their best and that officials concerned were looking forward to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Under the National Sports Development Fund's bonus scheme, an Asean Para Games champion will get 100,000 baht, a silver medallist 50,000 baht and a bronze winner 25,000 baht.
The government, led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, will host a reception for Thailand's SEA Games and Asean Para Games athletes at the Government House on Tuesday.
The next Asean Para Games will be held in the Philippines in 2019.