Thailand launches a comprehensive campaign to win gold at the 33rd SEA Games.

Thailand's campaign is enormous in scale, with a sports delegation of 1,531 athletes (833 men and 698 women) competing in 50 sports.

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), Thailand's biggest sporting event of the year, will officially open on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, with a grand ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium. The Thai delegation, comprising approximately 500 athletes, will be led by two honorary flag bearers: badminton star Kunlavut Vitidsarn and boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng.

Thailand launches a comprehensive campaign to win gold at the 33rd SEA Games (photo: abs-cbn.com)

This is an opportunity for the land of temples to revive its proud sporting tradition. Previously, Thailand had led the medal standings seven times at the SEA Games. However, that glory has faded since their last time leading the medal table in 2015 in Singapore, when Vietnam dominated the last two editions.

Thailand's campaign was enormous in scale, with a delegation of 1,531 athletes (833 men and 698 women) competing in 50 medal-awarding sports. In addition to traditional sports, fans were treated to new events such as aerial sports, tug-of-war, and mixed martial arts, all included in the demonstration events, reflecting the evolving landscape of the Games.

From December 9th to 20th, 574 medal events will take place. Activities are primarily concentrated in Bangkok and Chon Buri, but the Games also extend to other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ratchaburi, Rayong, and Samut Prakan, making it a nationwide sports festival.

Notably, Songkhla was initially planned to host 10 sports, but due to devastating floods in southern Thailand, these events were moved to Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani.

The goal is to surpass the 240 gold medal mark.

Expectations for Thailand's performance are very high, with predictions from 50 sports associations suggesting that the host nation's athletes could win up to 241 gold medals. Rowing and athletics are expected to lead with 18 and 17 gold medals respectively. Other strong disciplines also have high targets: Sepak Takraw (11 medals), Muay Thai and Ju-jitsu (10 medals), Boxing (9 medals), Taekwondo (7 medals), and Cycling (6 medals).

Special highlights

The most coveted gold medal remains in men's football. U23 coach Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul aims to reclaim the championship after their last win in 2017. The team got off to a strong start with a 6-1 victory over Timor-Leste and will face Singapore in their second match. The women's team is also ambitious under coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian, aiming for a breakthrough on home soil after winning bronze in Phnom Penh, beginning with an 8-0 victory over Indonesia.

A historic highlight was the presence of the Queen of Thailand and the national team competing in the SSL47 sailing event at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, continuing the tradition of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who won the small sailboat category at the 1967 SEAP Games.

Key stars

Thailand's athletics hopes rest on the shoulders of sprinter Puripol Boonson (Thep Bew). Following his triple gold medal win at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam and recent international successes, the 33rd SEA Games is considered the perfect test for this athlete ahead of the Asian Games in Japan.

For Taekwondo, after Olympic champion Panipak Wongpattanakit retired, Banlung Tubtimdang (20 years old) has become the center of attention, having just won his first world championship title and will make his SEA Games debut in the 66kg weight category.

The Thai women's volleyball team, led by Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, is aiming for a record 17 consecutive SEA Games championships, with Vietnam posing the biggest threat. Meanwhile, 17 Thai boxers are aiming for 9 gold medals on home advantage, with the participation of Olympic athlete Janjaem Suwannapheng.

The 33rd SEA Games is not just a sporting event, but also an event that affirms the position and national spirit of Thailand. With thorough preparation and high determination, the host team is pouring all its efforts into bringing home a "shower of gold medals" and reclaiming the number one position in Southeast Asia.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/thai-lan-khoi-dong-chien-dich-san-vang-toan-dien-tai-sea-games-33-20251211141843527.htm