Over 200 family members, friends and well-wishers greeted the 57-strong Team Singapore, who brought back seven gold, eight silver and four bronze medals.

The swimming team, who accounted for all seven golds, drew the loudest cheers.

But there were also pats on the back for the Republic's badminton and boccia (a game where leather balls are thrown at a white target ball) teams.

Despite being first-timers at the Asean Para Games, boccia had a silver and a bronze, while badminton delivered a silver.

It is the first time Singapore athletes with disabilities have won medals for these sports in an international tournament.

Singapore also made their debut in four other sports - chess, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.

Said a beaming chef de mission Henry Tan: 'This is very significant, because it increases the range of competitive sports that the disabled can pick up.

'Our intention is to promote these new sports in the coming years.'

Singapore's golden girl of sports for the disabled, swimmer Theresa Goh (pictured above with medals), was also on the evening flight back from Thailand.

The 20-year-old had a stellar outing in Korat, landing three gold medals and rewriting her own world record in the 50 metres breaststroke.

'The results are okay,' she said modestly. 'It's a good indication that my training is improving. But I still think I can get better technically.'

TERRENCE VOON