Over 600 Cambodian athletes to compete in Thailand’s SEA Games despite tensions

Cambodia has registered more than 600 athletes to compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December, Pimol Srivikorn, president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), said yesterday.

He was speaking yesterday after chairing a preparatory meeting for the tournament, which will last from December 9 to 20.

Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, and Sokvisal Nhan, Cambodia’s Chef de Mission, joined the meeting online.

Chaipak Siriwat, NOCT vice president, revealed that Cambodia has also registered around 100 officials accompanying the athletes, bringing the total delegation to about 800 people.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads since the five days of bloody and fatal border clashes late last month.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said in July that Thai authorities will need to consider Cambodia’s participation in the games, saying a boycott of Cambodia’s participation is a possibility.

“I am worried about the tension between Thailand and Cambodia. It could impact Thailand’s role as SEA Games host, especially regarding the safety of Cambodian athletes during the event,” Sorawong said.

Chaipak had advised, however, that Thailand would be violating the Olympic Charter should it decide to ban Cambodia from the games.