That was the warm and thoughtful welcome from the host country to guests from afar. We were warmly guided by officials and volunteers from the airport, assisted with registration procedures, received our ID cards and SIM cards, etc.
Bangkok remains the same, bustling and crowded with traffic. Tuk-tuk drivers speed along the roads. The food stalls offer a variety of flavors and colors...
Taking a stroll through the old quarter on Ratchada Lane, I spotted a familiar, simple yet always crowded chicken rice restaurant. Many of my colleagues visit this place whenever they come to Bangkok, as if to relive a bit of that familiar atmosphere.
Veteran journalists still vividly remember the hectic days of the 2007 SEA Games, when Nakhon Ratchasima was chosen by Thailand as the host country. At that time, Vietnamese sports were gradually catching up with the regional level, but football was still struggling to achieve its dream of winning a gold medal.
The Thais demonstrated themselves to be hospitable and thoughtful hosts. Their organization, reception, and preparation of facilities received much praise from participating countries. Within Southeast Asia, Thailand remains firmly recognized as number one, despite not finishing in the top spot at some tournaments.
The 33rd SEA Games seem to be off to a rocky start, with organizational flaws causing distress for Vietnam and many other countries. Incidents occurred right before and during the opening ceremony, and continued into the first day of competition. Refereeing has always been a recurring issue at the SEA Games, but rarely have controversies and lawsuits arisen so early.
After nearly two decades, has Thailand's preparation for the SEA Games become less thorough than before?
Certainly not; no host country would want to miss out on fulfilling its role. However, it must be acknowledged that the 33rd SEA Games took place amidst significant political and security instability in Thailand. This, to varying degrees, impacted the organization of the event.
Before the SEA Games began, the events in Songkhla, including the men's football tournament featuring the Vietnam U22 team, had to be relocated due to severe flooding. A day after the opening ceremony, Cambodia withdrew from the Games.
All of this made organizing the event difficult, and as the host nation, the Thais must have been disappointed. More broadly, the 33rd SEA Games took place at a time when both Southeast Asia and the world were not very stable.
In the current context, complaints are unlikely to help Vietnam's performance; on the contrary, they could negatively impact the morale of coaches and athletes. This is also the time for Southeast Asian sports to demonstrate its strength as a tool for connecting, mending rifts, and bringing unity to the region.
Watch SEA Games 33, side by side with the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, most fully on FPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn
Source: https://tienphong.vn/sea-games-33-khong-buon-o-bangkok-post1803496.tpo
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