Meet Rewadee Sritao, former Thai national runner known for the phrase, 'I fear national extinction more than corruption.' The phrase reflects her strong stance on patriotism.
On 4 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Rewadee Sritao, former Thai national runner, publicly declared her political position ahead of the election on Sunday, 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7. She confirmed she would not vote for the People's Party, stating, “I sincerely believe and fear corruption less than the extinction of the nation. I will not vote for the People's Party, nor the Orange faction. I choose the nation, religion, and monarchy.”
Police Lieutenant Woman Rewadee Watsansin, also known as Rewadee Sritao, is a former Thai national sprinter nicknamed “Toon.” Born on 11 Aug 1967 GMT+7, she hails from Nakhon Ratchasima. Now aged 50, she is the daughter of Police Sergeant Sawat and Mrs. Anong Sritao. She is married to Wisut Watsansin, also a former national runner, and they have two sons. Rewadee joined the national team at age 15 and competed in the 12th Southeast Asian Games in 1983 in Singapore at just 16.
At that time, her success was limited due to her youth. However, two years later, at age 18, she competed in the 13th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where she gained national recognition by winning three gold medals and one silver for Thailand’s athletics team. The three golds came from the 400 meters, 4x100 meters relay, and 4x400 meters relay, plus a silver in the 200 meters, earning her the title of gold medal queen at that event.
In 1986, Rewadee competed in the 10th Asian Games in South Korea, winning a silver medal in the 4x100 relay. In 1987, she participated in the 14th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia, despite physical challenges including knee and ankle injuries from rigorous training and competition. She earned only one gold in the 4x100 relay. At the 15th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia, although still part of the national team, injuries caused her to miss several events.
Then in early 1991, Rewadee regained prominence at the 24th National Games in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, winning four gold medals and breaking more than half the records, once again becoming the gold medal queen of the competition. She also participated in national team selection for the Southeast Asian Games, shattering previous records. That year marked a career highlight when, at the 16th Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, she was named the "Best Female Athlete" after winning three gold medals and receiving an award from then-President Corazon Aquino.
Rewadee has competed in both the Asian Games and the Olympic Games. Though she did not achieve top success there, she earned considerable recognition for Thailand in numerous international and domestic competitions. She was honored as Thailand’s Best Athlete in 1997.