Thailand reveals 2 scenarios as border situation heats up: Cambodia attends SEA Games 33 or not

According to The Phnom Penh Post, on the morning of December 8, despite the heated border situation between Thailand and Cambodia, the Thai sports delegation left for the 33rd SEA Games, including the first 5 teams to arrive in Bangkok.

Host country Thailand ensures maximum safety for Cambodian athletes at SEA Games 33, presents two scenarios

Accordingly, the first 5 teams of the Cambodian sports delegation will depart for the 33rd SEA Games on December 8. Of these, 3 teams, taekwondo, jujitsu and swimming, arrived in Bangkok on the morning of December 8, while the remaining two teams will arrive in the afternoon, table tennis and gymnastics, according to The Phnom Penh Post .

Cambodian delegation at the 33rd SEA Games flag-raising ceremony on the afternoon of December 8

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

The Phnom Penh Post published photos of Cambodian athletes at Techo International Airport before flying to Bangkok to attend the 33rd SEA Games.

Photo: Screenshot of The Phnom Penh Post/facebook

Seven other sports teams, out of a total of 12 Cambodian sports teams that have been confirmed to participate in the 33rd SEA Games, including athletics, equestrian, martial arts, kickboxing, triathlon, jet skiing and e-sports, will depart according to the competition schedule of the sports. A total of 137 Cambodian officials and athletes will participate in the 33rd SEA Games from December 9 to 20.

However, with the latest heated situation that has just happened, things have become tense at the border between the two countries, it is unclear whether the Cambodian teams that have arrived in Bangkok will return home or not. These teams may stay, but other teams that have not arrived yet, are at risk of canceling their trip to Thailand to compete in the 33rd SEA Games.

"The departure of the teams for the 33rd SEA Games has caused new concerns among the public, following the latest tense incident at the border between Thailand and Cambodia," The Phnom Penh Post expressed.

Meanwhile, according to Thairath Online , the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has announced a plan to take care of Cambodian athletes when they arrive in the country to participate in the 33rd SEA Games. This Thai newspaper also said that the tense situation at the border between the two countries has just occurred, so security work and ensuring the safety of Cambodian athletes has become more urgent and thorough.

According to Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of SAT, revealed that host country Thailand has prepared for two possible scenarios: if Cambodian athletes and officials arrive on schedule, Thai officials will increase security two to three times to ensure maximum safety for them.

However, in case Cambodian athletes and officials in the competitions decide not to come, the 33rd SEA Games organizing committee will have to adjust the competition schedule accordingly.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thai-lan-lo-dien-2-kich-ban-nong-khi-tinh-hinh-bien-gioi-nong-len-campuchia-du-sea-games-33-hoac-khong-185251208122157806.htm