Thailand star shooter boycotts SEA Games 33 over poor management, lack of transparency

Jiewchaloemmit, a prominent Thai shooter in the skeet event, has earned international acclaim with multiple medals, including a silver at the 2019 World Skeet Championships, two golds at the 2016 World Cup and a gold at the 2018 Asian Games.

She has represented Thailand in the Olympics three times (2012, 2016 and 2020) and won six gold medals at the Asian Championships.

Despite her success, Jiewchaloemmit decided not to compete in the SEA Games 33 selection tournaments, which are organized by the Skeet & Trap Association of Thailand (TCS). She voiced her frustration on Sept. 29, stating that she could not accept working under the management of TCS, particularly following the controversial election of the association's president in June 2024.

Thailand skeet shooter Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit. Photo by Instagram/@sutiya.j

Jiewchaloemmit criticized the lack of transparency in TCS's operations. She alleged that TCS misused the 5 million baht (US$154,450) annual funding, which is part of the "One Sports Federation, One State Enterprise" project, aiming to use sports as one of the key values to promote Thailand's soft power. She has called for Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to monitor the use of this budget to other sports federations, The Standard reported.

She also accused TCS of making changes to regulations without clear communication and being biased with some members.

Jiewchaloemmit claims that she has evidence to support her accusations and has called for a full investigation of the federation's activities.

TCS has yet to respond to Jiewchaloemmit's claims, but the association has announced 16 athletes to compete in six events at the SEA Games 33 in Ratchaburi Province.

Jiewchaloemmit is not the only athlete dissatisfied with her association's management. Badminton players Ratchapol Makkasasithorn and Nattamon Laisuan on Sept. 19 also accused the Badminton Association of Thailand of unfair treatment after being removed from the national team. Despite winning gold in mixed doubles at the national championship in December 2024, the athletes were excluded after the association changed its selection criteria.

Additionally, controversy surrounded the Petanque Association of Thailand, which was temporarily banned from organizing petanque at the SEA Games by the World Petanque and Bowling Federation (WPBC) for allowing suspended officials to operate, Bangkok Post reported. However, after negotiations between the Thailand Olympic Committee and WPBC, the situation was resolved, and Thailand's commitment to following WPBC regulations was accepted.