Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games amid escalating tension with host Thailand

Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, sent an official withdrawal letter to the organizing committee at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, citing safety concerns and requests from the athletes' families to have them "return home immediately."

Chamroeun expressed appreciation for "the hospitality, warmth and spirit of sportsmanship" extended to Cambodian athletes during their stay in Thailand.

The letter of Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, to inform Cambodia's withdrawal from the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.

Relations between the two neighbors have been tense since July due to border disputes.

Tensions spiked again on Dec. 7 following reports of gunfire exchanged between Cambodian and Thai troops along the northeastern border.

Despite this, the Cambodia teams for swimming, taekwondo and ju-jitsu arrived in Thailand a day later and participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony that afternoon, as well as the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

The Cambodia sports delegation at the opening ceremony of the SEA Games 33 at Rajamangal Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 9, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

The complete withdrawal follows an earlier reduction in Cambodia's participation. Initially planning to contest 21 sports, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) announced on Nov. 26 that it would withdraw from eight sports, including men's football, sepak takraw and various martial arts. Volleyball was withdrawn a day later.

This forced organizers to reshuffle the men's football tournament, moving Singapore to Group A to fill Cambodia's place.

The 12 remaining sports that Cambodia had confirmed participation in, which involved 110 athletes, are swimming, athletics, e-sports, fencing, gymnastics, ju-jitsu, kickboxing, taekwondo, equestrian, jet skiing, triathlon and teqball.

The SEA Games 33 Organizing Committee had anticipated this possibility.

Gongsak Yodmani, general director of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), stated Monday that contingency plans were in place.

"If the Cambodia athletes and officials arrive as scheduled, Thailand will double or even triple the number of personnel to ensure maximum security. If they decide not to participate, we will adjust the competition schedule accordingly," Yodmani told Thairath.

The Organizing Committee must now quickly adjust the schedules for events starting Wednesday morning, including swimming, ju-jitsu, taekwondo and gymnastics.