Asian media shocked by Cambodia's unprecedented withdrawal from SEA Games

Citing escalating border conflicts, Cambodia had already scaled back its participation from 21 sports to 12. Teams for swimming, taekwondo and jiu-jitsu arrived in Thailand on Dec. 8, attended the flag-hoisting ceremony and the opening ceremony at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday night.

However, the situation changed abruptly the next morning. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), issued a letter announcing the immediate withdrawal of all athletes. Chamroeun acknowledged the inconvenience caused to the Games but stated the decision was unavoidable due to rising political tensions between Cambodia and Thailand as well as pressure from the athletes' families.

The decision has drawn widespread attention in the region.

The South China Morning Post described the event as an "unprecedented move," noting that the withdrawal was driven by security concerns amid renewed border clashes.

Thai outlet Siam Sport was "shocked" by the news, confirming that 137 Cambodian delegation members, including 110 athletes, would return home without competing.

CNA reported that the decision was driven by fears for the athletes' safety, with families demanding their member be brought home "as soon as possible."

Thana Chaiprasit, vice president and secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, told Nation Thailand that he understood his Cambodian counterpart's concerns. He explained that the Cambodian government and Olympic Committee faced immense pressure from parents who had been calling for the return of their children after hearing reports of gunfire exchange at the border.

Chaiprasit noted that political tensions amplified these fears, with rumors circulating that captured Cambodian soldiers were being held, leading families to fear their members could be harmed or taken hostage in Thailand. He added that Thailand continued to assure the safety of all athletes and maintained its commitment to friendship and solidarity at the Games.

According to Reuters, hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated due to intense artillery fire from both sides and airstrikes by Thai fighter jets. Officials reported at least 14 deaths and 88 injuries in this week's clashes.

Domestic coverage in Cambodia was limited. Khmer Times primarily reposted NOCC secretary general Chamroeun’s letter explaining the context and arguing that the nation had "no other choice."

The withdrawal forces the SEA Games 33 Organizing Committee to urgently adjust competition schedules. Some events will proceed with only two participating countries competing for gold medals.