SEA Games 33: Thailand spends hundreds of billions of dong to organize the most magnificent congress in history

The Southeast Asian Games, also known as the 33rd SEA Games in 2025, will officially take place in Thailand from December 9 to December 20. This event is a launching pad for dreams, bringing thousands of athletes to the ASIAD and the Olympics.

A new scale and stature of SEA Games with many "strange" sports included in the competition program

It has been 66 years since the SEA Games - originally known as the Southeast Asian Peninsula Games - was first born. Starting as a small regional competition with only a few participating countries, it has now become the largest and most prestigious festival in the region with a cycle of 2 years/ time. Since 1959, the SEA Games have been held 32 times and have contributed to the advancement of many talents in the region to the international stage, becoming typical names. Notable names include Joseph Schooling (swimming, Singapore), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics, Philippines), Panipak Wongpattanakit (taekwondo, Thailand), Lee Chong Wei (badminton, Malaysia) or Hoang Xuan Vinh, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien of Vietnam.

Carlos Yulo is an icon of Southeast Asian sports, winning an Olympic gold medal.

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

Hoang Xuan Vinh also won many gold medals at the 2016 Olympic Games from the SEA Games.

PHOTO: Vietnam Sports Administration

This SEA Games in Thailand is also the 7th edition that this country has hosted, the most compared to all other countries in the region. From 1959, 1967, 1975 and 1985, the Games were held in the capital Bangkok. But since 1995, the SEA Games and even the Asean Beach Games when Thailand accepted to host, they have arranged to rotate the organization in major cities such as Chiangmai, Phuket, Pattaya or the last time the Thais hosted the Games was in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima. After 18 years, the land of golden temples hosted the SEA Games again and although this time the request of the Southeast Asian Olympic Council was to concentrate in Bangkok, the Thais still decided to share many events to Songkhla, Chonburi and Chiangmai instead of just gathering them all in the capital.

Vietnam Sports Delegation strives to be in the top 2 or top 3 of SEA Games 33

PHOTO: Vietnam Sports Administration

Specifically, in the 50 official sports of the Games competing for 574 sets of medals, the capital Bangkok still holds the majority with 30 sports at 28 different locations. Most of the basic sports in the Olympic and ASIAD programs are concentrated here such as athletics, swimming, diving, shooting, archery, fencing, gymnastics, taekwondo, boxing, basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, table tennis, badminton, tennis, cycling, futsal, men's football (group A, semi-finals, finals). Meanwhile, Songkhla in the south is the location where martial arts such as judo, karate, wrestling, wushu, silat, muay are concentrated, along with chess, a men's football group (with the participation of the U.23 Vietnam team). Another venue in Chonburi (about 70 km from Bangkok) is where women's football, handball, weightlifting, billiards, rowing, canoeing, golf, mountain biking... compete. In addition, Chiangmai has a men's football table (with Indonesia).

Unique sports will appear at the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand

Teqball will also compete at the 33rd SEA Games.

PHOTO: DOCUMENTARY

There will be many strange or new sports that the host will include for the first time in these 50 competitions. There are even sports that have reappeared after a period of absence, such as teqball, kabaddi, woodball, baseball, and adventure sports such as sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing and mountain biking. Some winter sports such as figure skating and short-track speed skating will also be included, creating a unique diversity. This will make the SEA Games truly expanded in both scope and opportunity to develop most of the competitions currently in the world . In addition, 3 other sports will also be included in the program, albeit only as performances, to bring the total to 53 main sports: tug of war, flying discus and paragliding, creating a rich and attractive picture.

South Asian sport kabaddi is included for the first time in the 33rd SEA Games.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

From the battle for second place to nurturing many talents to the ASIAD and Olympics

When host Thailand increases the number of sports and competitions, this also means that most of them are their strengths and are approved by at least 3 countries in the region. This is also the foundation for Thailand to return to the leading position of the SEA Games after 2 consecutive games (2021, 2023) lost to Vietnam. The fact that the Thais set a target of winning 252 gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games and 233 gold medals at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, more than double or triple the target of other countries in the region, is enough to show their dominance at this biggest festival in Southeast Asia. Remember that the Vietnamese team may only set a target of winning 80 to 100 gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games, which means they will only achieve less than half of the target set by the host.

Huynh Nhu scored against Thailand to win the AFF Cup 2019 at Chonburi Stadium (Thailand). The Vietnamese women's football team had another chance to play in Chonburi this time.

PHOTO: CUT FROM CLIP

For that reason, SEA Games 33 for Vietnam is the battle for second place. But this will also be a tough challenge because the Vietnamese sports delegation to Thailand this time according to preliminary registration is 1,019 members, not only much less than Thailand (1,807) but also less than 5 other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia (1,580), Indonesia (1,545), Philippines (1,499), Singapore (1,481) and Myanmar (1,477). With this modest number to compete in only 45 events and sub-events, it will clearly be a difficult problem for Vietnam when other countries spread their troops evenly on all fronts at SEA Games 33. Even though Vietnam has strengths, enough to compete for gold medals in many events. But with the events that we do not participate in, it will be a disadvantage for other countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia to be able to rise up to compete and create an uncompromising battle for second place on the overall rankings.

Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhgla, where the matches of the Vietnam U.23 team take place

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

With the movements before the 33rd SEA Games, it can be seen that the upcoming sports festival will have many fierce and worth-waiting competitions. Of course, the achievements and medals of each Vietnamese athlete at the 33rd SEA Games have a practical value, affirming the efforts and hard work of each person over the past 2 years. Everyone is full of enthusiasm and desire to conquer new heights. Because the victory in the region is the motivation for athletes to nurture bigger dreams and ambitions, a stepping stone to enter the continental and world arena. The important thing is how to get more strong investment from many bright names in Thailand in the near future to strive their best to prepare for the 2026 ASIAD in Nagoya (Japan) in September next year as well as for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Mascots and fun symbols of SEA Games 33

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

"Ever Forward - Never Stop Moving"

A highlight is the 33rd SEA Games torch relay, which will start on November 16, 2025, passing through four localities including Bangkok, Chonburi, Songkhla and Nakhon Ratchasima. The event will be attended by ASEAN ambassadors in Bangkok to spread the message of friendship and solidarity in the region. Under the slogan "Inclusivity and Sustainability", Thailand expressed its determination to host an iconic and inspiring Games. Thailand also introduced a new version of "The San" - the official symbol for both Games. This mascot has a modern, easily recognizable design, expressing the spirit of inclusion, accessibility for all and reflecting Thai cultural identity.

Regional sports festival always creates an exciting atmosphere.

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

It is known that the Thai Government has approved a budget of 455.96 million baht (equivalent to 14 million USD, about 368 billion VND) for the 33rd SEA Games and 13th ASEAN Para Games (from January 20-26, 2026 in Nakhon Ratchasima, with 19 sports). The expenditure includes costs for the opening and closing ceremonies, media, broadcasting, transportation and accommodation for sports delegations. Specifically, 166.28 million baht is for the opening and closing ceremonies and torch relay; 30 million baht for public relations and television broadcasting; 259.68 million baht for accommodation, meals, travel and services for athletes and staff from participating countries. The Thai Government expects these two events to bring an estimated economic value of 5.286 billion baht, while enhancing Thailand's image as a leading country in sports and tourism in the region.

Thailand is ready for the big festival

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

The official song of the 33rd SEA Games is "1%", performed by singer-actress Violette Wautier and rapper F. Hero, bringing together many prominent Thai athletes to participate in the MV such as Sukesam (skateboarding), Sri Rueng (jujitsu), Phumsrinin (E-sport) and the national women's volleyball team. The Games are expected to have 12,425 athletes, 9,534 team officials and coaches, 982 interpreters, 2,964 volunteers and 378 VIP guests. Fans can register for free tickets to watch the opening ceremony, closing ceremony (at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok) and the competitions. The ticket registration portal will open from November 26, 2025.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sea-games-33-be-phong-cho-nhung-giac-mo-dua-hang-ngan-vdv-den-asiad-va-olympic-185251112145153564.htm