While people all over are savouring Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakon's Olympic triumph in claiming Thailand's first gold, her parents are the happiest of them all.

The atmosphere at Prapawadee's home in Muang, Nakhon Sawan, was lively as friends and family gathered around the television set.

Even though the 24-year-old Prapawadee was regarded as the country's best bet for a weightlifting medal, the crowd wasn't sure.

People watched the broadcast of the women's 53-kilo division with a sense of trepidation, with Prapawadee's ill-fated World Championships campaign at Chiang Mai still fresh in memory.

However, their confidence grew each time Prapawadee, better known as Junpim Kanthatien, successfully negotiated the weights.

She was leading after the snatch. Their hopes got a further boost as other competitors fell along the way in the clean-and-jerk.

With all her rivals failing to surpass the 120-kilo mark, Prapawadee needed only one lift to follow in the footsteps of Udomporn Polsak, who won the division in Athens.

Not only did Prapawadee comfortably negotiate 120 kilos, she went on to set a new Olympic record of 126 kilos.

Her father, Chankaew, was understandably delighted. "I'm delighted. She always dreamt of winning an Olympic gold medal," Chankaew says.

Sister Thannicha, a weightlifter, too, says she's "happy to see her succeed".

"I miss her very much and want to give her a hug. She's been away from home for more than three years while on the national team."

Prapawadee's mother Phawalee fainted from the excitement and was taken to hospital.