Hot: Thailand still does not want Cambodia to attend SEA Games 33, deeply concerned about security issues

Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports and Chairman of the 33rd SEA Games, Mr. Surawong Thienthong, continued to present concerns to the SEA Games Council if Cambodia participates in the Southeast Asian Games.

Concerns about the safety of Cambodian athletes at the 33rd SEA Games

Responding to the Thai press, Mr. Surawong Thienthong confirmed that he had sent a letter to the SEA Games Council, reaffirming the country's stance on the clear separation between sports and politics . He said that the territorial dispute between the two countries has raised many concerns about the safety of Cambodian athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games later this year.

Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports and Chairman of the 33rd SEA Games, Mr. Surawong Thienthong

Photo: Siamsport screenshot

"As the chairman of the Games, I have written to the SEA Games Council about the issue of the Cambodian sports delegation, expressing my deep concern. It is clear that sports and politics must be separated. However, as the tournament organizers, we are very concerned. We have written to the head of the SEA Games Council to clearly express our position," Mr. Surawong Thienthong expressed and was quoted by Siamsport on August 20.

Currently, the meeting of the 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee and heads of delegations from Southeast Asian countries is taking place from August 19 to 22 in Bangkok (Thailand), where many hot topics will be discussed, including personnel to attend the congress in December 2025.

Cambodia Sports has so far affirmed that it will not withdraw from the 33rd SEA Games and will send athletes to participate as scheduled. The SEA Games Council and the host country Thailand do not have any authority to ban any country from participating in the 33rd SEA Games, as this would violate the Olympic Charter, according to Mr. Chaiyaphak Siriwat, Chairman of the SEA Games Council.

Secretary General of the Cambodian Olympic Committee, Vath Chamroeun, recently (August 5) also confirmed that the country's sports delegation is still in the process of careful preparation to participate in the 33rd SEA Games. But at the same time, he also said: "Everything depends on the situation, and we have to wait for the final decision (from the Cambodian Government ). There is still a long time left."

In another recent development, at the 19th Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championship held on August 21 (because the 33rd SEA Games did not have this sport), followed by the 57th Asian Bodybuilding Championship from August 22 to 24, both held in Bangkok (Thailand), all Cambodian athletes withdrew from participating.

Cambodian track and field athletes (right) compete at the 32nd SEA Games on home soil.

Photo: G.Lao

SEA Games 33 organization on schedule

According to Mr. Surawong Thienthong, the preparation and organization of the 33rd SEA Games is currently on schedule. Currently, the budget is waiting to be disbursed to book places, especially hotels for the athletes.

He added that sports delegations have begun to register the preliminary number of participants, and will finalize the official list on September 15. At that time, the host country Thailand will know the exact number of athletes and officials of the sports delegations participating in the 33rd SEA Games.

Regarding the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games being moved from the outdoor venue of Sanam Luang to the Rajamangala Stadium, Mr. Surawong Thienthong affirmed: "We continue to emphasize the concept of a green SEA Games. We want this SEA Games to be a model of environmental conservation. We will do everything possible to promote tourism and allow the public to cheer for the athletes, especially the Thai athletes, as much as possible."

However, Mr. Surawong Thienthong also expressed regret that the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games will not be held outdoors due to security reasons. However, the country's organizing committee has decided to still place symbols such as the SEA Games torch at Sanam Luang for the public and tourists to admire. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Para Games torch will be placed at Ya Mo Square.

"We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the 33rd SEA Games and 13th ASEAN Para Games are held as perfectly as possible in every aspect," Mr. Surawong Thienthong emphasized.

The 33rd SEA Games held in Thailand at the end of this year will take place from December 9 to 20, in three major cities: Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nong-thai-lan-van-khong-muon-campuchia-du-sea-games-33-quan-ngai-sau-sac-van-de-an-ninh-185250820083809581.htm