Cambodian Contingent Withdraws from Thailand SEA Games

BANGKOK, KOMPAS – The Cambodian contingent has decided to withdraw completely from the Southeast Asian Games, SEA Games 2025 in Thailand, on Wednesday (10/12/2025). The reason provided is related to security considerations.

The decision was made following the escalation of conflict at the Thailand-Cambodia border, which has now entered its third day. The conflict has resulted in 14 fatalities, 88 injuries, and has forced 500,000 residents from Thailand and Cambodia at the border to evacuate.

In an official letter to the organizers, the Cambodian Olympic Committee stated that the decision was made after careful consideration and at the request of the athletes' families for them to be allowed to return home. The Bangkok Post reported that the decision was made on Wednesday at 02:00 WIB in the early morning. The Chairman of the SEA Games Organizing Committee, Chaiyapak Sirwat, did not expect to receive such sudden news.

"NOCC (National Olympic Committee of Cambodia) must withdraw all delegates and arrange for their immediate return to Cambodia with safety considerations in mind. This decision is not easy but must be made," stated a written statement from NOCC led by Vath Camroeun on Wednesday, a day after the Cambodian contingent participated in the opening ceremony of the SEA Games in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok.

The parents of Cambodian athletes are concerned that their sons and daughters may not be able to return to their homeland due to flight cancellations resulting from the renewed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

Before being recalled, the Cambodian contingent participated without any obstacles in the smoothly and festively held opening ceremony. Fewer than 20 athletes and managers from the Cambodian contingent took part in the parade during the opening event held on Tuesday evening.

Cambodia briefly ranked fourth when it hosted the SEA Games in 2023. This year's SEA Games were held in three locations in Thailand, namely Bangkok, Chonburi on the coast not far from Bangkok, and Songkhla Province in the south, which is close to the Malaysian border.

In the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming competition at the Sport Authority of Thailand swimming pool in Bangkok on Wednesday (12/10/2025), two Cambodian athletes were supposed to participate, namely Phansovannarun Montross and Thavarak Tou. However, they were declared did not start (DNS), meaning they were registered to compete but chose not to compete.

Meanwhile, at Gymnasium 5 of Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani, which served as the venue for the gymnastics competition, Cambodia was not introduced before the men's qualification began. However, the name of the Cambodian athlete, Vanndet Ten, was listed among the participants.

In these two sports, Cambodia initially planned to compete alongside 11 other sports, namely athletics, e-sports, fencing, gymnastics, jujitsu, kickboxing, taekwondo, equestrian, jetski, triathlon, teqball, and volleyball.

Before the opening ceremony of the SEA Games Thailand 2025, on Tuesday (9/12/2025), the organizing committee urged reporters not to photograph the costumes of Cambodian athletes. This appeal was made without any clear reasons or explanations.

During the parade, the Cambodian contingent was introduced. Although their number was less than 20, they participated in the parade. At the flag-raising ceremony a day before the opening, Cambodia also took part, indicating that its delegation would compete as planned.

Initially, on November 21, 2025, the Phnom Penh Post reported that Cambodia would send 333 athletes to compete in 21 sports disciplines. At that time, two Cambodian sports federations, namely billiards and Khun Khmer, announced a boycott citing concerns for athlete safety.

At that time, Vath Chamroeun stated that he had received security guarantees from the Thai authorities and that the sports world set aside politics while upholding the values of sportsmanship and friendship.

The Chairman of the SEA Games Organizing Committee in Thailand, Chaiyapak Sirwat, stated that the Cambodian delegation was impressed by the warm welcome during the opening ceremony. Security around the stadium was tightened despite the festive opening ceremony attended by the Royal Family of Thailand. Thai pop star BamBam performed at the opening ceremony.

Previously, Cambodia had withdrawn from eight sports at the SEA Games in Thailand. Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the sports of football, petanque, wrestling, judo, and karate. The Bangkok Post reported that the Cambodian delegation shrank to 137 athletes in 12 sports before it was decided to withdraw completely from the SEA Games 2025.

Regarding Cambodia's actions, Chamroeun expressed apologies and gratitude for the understanding and support provided. The Cambodian delegation will continue to communicate regarding the arrangements for repatriation and the regulations that must be fulfilled.

Thailand's senior SEA Games official, Akarin Hiranprueck, confirmed that the Cambodian contingent had withdrawn from the Southeast Asian sporting event.

The 2025 SEA Games in Thailand will take place from December 9 to December 20, 2025. There will be 50 sports contested for a total of 574 gold medals.

The armed confrontation that erupted earlier this week is the worst since the five-day war in July 2025, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people. The clash eventually ended after mediation by ASEAN and the United States.

On October 26, 2025, both parties signed a ceasefire agreement. The signing took place during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and the President of the United States, Donald Trump, facilitated the agreement.

This time, both parties accused their neighbors of launching attacks first. The conflict then spread to five provinces in Thailand and Cambodia, around the Preah Vihear Temple.

The dispute arose due to disagreements over the land borders established by French colonizers in 1907 with the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand). The International Court of Justice has declared Cambodia sovereign over the Preah Vihear Temple; however, the ambiguity surrounding the borders around the temple has continued to provoke conflict to this day. (Reuters/AFP)