Thailand is accelerating preparations for the 33rd SEA Games from December 9 to 20, 2025, expected to draw over half a million spectators and more than 10,000 foreign athletes, even as severe flooding in the south forces a major reshuffle of competition venues.
Following a high-level meeting on November 27 chaired by Tourism and Sports minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakon, the SEA Games Committee approved the relocation of 10 sports originally assigned to Songkhla to Bangkok.
Songkhla, one of the three host provinces chosen by Thailand alongside Bangkok and Chonburi, has suffered widespread infrastructure damage due to ongoing floods.
Several competition venues in Hat Yai and Mueang districts were severely affected, rendering Songkhla unable to host its scheduled events in line with required safety standards. Additionally, health concerns were raised by several participating countries of the risk of disease outbreak after the flood.
Atthakorn emphasised that the decision to change the competition venue was made prudently and with due regard for international standards.
“Although Thailand is facing a flood situation, we will not allow any risk to athletes and those involved. This SEA Games must be a safe, beautiful arena, and one that builds confidence among all nations,” said Atthakorn.
Chalitrat Chantarubeksa, deputy secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Thailand, acknowledged that Thailand would need to consider compensating participant countries for flights and accommodation booked in Songkhla.
Events impacted include Muay Thai, men’s football qualifying matches, chess, kabaddi, wushu, pencak silat, judo, petanque, karate, billiards and snooker.
While Bangkok is host to most of the 50-plus SEA Games sports, Chonburi’s coastal cluster – covering Jomtien beach, Bang Lamung, and Sattahip – is the stage for 15 sports such as sailing, jet skiing, open-water swimming, and triathlons.
With Songkhla out of the running, Bangkok will take on the additional host duties, with the sports being reassigned to venues such as Rajamangala National Stadium, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Impact Arena, Siam Amazing Park, and a university sports complex.
Chess will be hosted at The Bazaar Hotel Bangkok, whilst wrestling has been relocated to Pacific Park Sriracha in Chonburi.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced in July that SEA Games 2025 is targeting more than 500,000 spectators, supported by an estimated budget of 10 trillion baht (US$278 billion) and projected to generate around 17 trillion baht in economic value, alongside the creation of over 14,000 jobs.
As of the end of the June entry-by-number deadline, a total of 12,506 athletes from 11 NOCs were entered, with host nation Thailand fielding 1,807 athletes.
Additionally, Thailand will become the first South-east Asian nation to host a major regional sporting event with carbon neutrality at its core, with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports implementing a Green SEA Games & Sustainable Paralympics concept in partnership with Chulalongkorn University to create an “environmentally friendly and sustainable sports festival”.
Organisers will promote reusable personal water bottles over single-use plastic and encourage vendors to adopt biodegradable or recyclable materials; the event will also prioritise proper waste separation and management to maximise environmental sustainability, noted Pramoj Rangsanwichit, dean of Chulalongkorn University’s College of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, during preparations.
Thailand kicked off the SEA Games 2025 Torch Relay, involving 276 torch bearers and four host provinces – Bangkok, Chonburi, Songkhla and Nakorn Ratchasima – on November 16, with Atthakorn and Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt jointly leading the launch to mark the nationwide countdown to the Games.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for December 9 at Rajamangala National Stadium.
The 13th ASEAN Para Games, scheduled for January 20-26, 2026 in Nakhon Ratchasima, will follow shortly after, which the Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects to draw over 4,000 participants.