Thai Deputy Prime Minister: 'I give the SEA Games opening ceremony 10 out of 10'

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Tourism and Sports, Captain Thammanat Prompao, affirmed that the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games on the evening of December 9th in Bangkok was a success.

Mr. Prompao praised the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games.

In an interview with Khaosod , he emphasized that the ceremony was "spectacular, on par with any weekly event," despite the rushed preparation time and limited budget. When asked how he would rate the opening ceremony, Prompao replied: "If it were me, I would give it 10 out of 10."

According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, the presence of the King and Queen of Thailand at the opening ceremony was a particularly meaningful moment, creating a solemn and moving atmosphere in the stands. "Seeing them declare the opening before representatives from 11 countries, I was truly moved. It was a beautiful image of the spirit of unity and mutual respect in the region. The people of Thailand are fortunate to have a King who always cares about the people's affairs," he said.

Mr. Prompao also revealed that the previous government had not allocated any budget for the 33rd SEA Games. Therefore, Thailand was forced to use the budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which is just over 100 million baht, and began disbursing funds from October 1, 2025. Given the limited resources, the organizing committee had to carefully calculate every expense to ensure the tournament could proceed smoothly.

He frankly admitted that the SEA Games faced much criticism, including issues related to transportation, logistics, food, and unforeseen circumstances. However, all feedback will be compiled to make timely adjustments in the remaining days of the competition.

Source: https://znews.vn/pho-thu-tuong-thai-lan-toi-cho-le-khai-mac-sea-games-10-diem-post1610279.html