Many problems of SEA Games 33 have existed for a long time.
Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul admitted that he was aware of the budget constraints for the 33rd SEA Games even before he officially took office. According to the Bangkok Post, the problem did not arise in the last 2 months but existed long ago.
Mr. Anutin said he had assigned Captain Thamanat Prompow to urgently handle the problems.
"I knew there was a problem, so I asked Captain Thamanat to work at full speed, everyone was in a panic," he said.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been in office for just over 3 months.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Hat Yai (Songkhla province) was removed from the list of venues due to heavy damage caused by floods, forcing Thailand to urgently arrange facilities and accommodation for athletes in other areas. Mr. Anutin emphasized that questions related to the organization should be directed to Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).
Asked whether ministers' performance would be judged by how they handled the situation, Mr. Anutin replied: "By the time we measure it, they will be gone," referring to the plan to dissolve the Thai House of Representatives in January 2026.
The SEA Games opening ceremony will not be spectacular.
SAT Governor Gongsak Yodmanee told the News Worker program that preparations for the 33rd SEA Games were affected by many changes in the government apparatus. Problems such as the loudspeaker system malfunctioning during the men's football match between Vietnam U23 and Laos U23 on December 3 or uneven lighting at the stadium were all on the list of issues that had to be addressed. He also confirmed that the opening ceremony had been assigned to an outside unit.
Workers are repairing the lighting system at Rajamangala Stadium, where the SEA Games opening ceremony will be held.
Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang
Mr. Gongsak admitted that the budget was tight as Thailand was allocated only over 2 billion baht (over 1,600 billion VND), much lower than the 3 billion baht (over 2,400 billion VND) that Cambodia spent on the 32nd SEA Games. The situation became even more difficult when the relocation from Songkhla to Bangkok and Chon Buri resulted in an additional 160 million baht (over 131 billion VND). He said the central budget could not be supplemented because the priority was given to flood response work.
"The opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games may not be grand, but it will be elegant and solemn," he said.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-tuong-thai-lan-thua-nhan-ngan-sach-sea-games-33-rat-han-che-phai-uu-tien-ung-pho-lu-lut-185251205121116511.htm
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