Cambodia says Thailand 'spread false news' about athlete cuts at SEA Games

Just a few hours after the Thai press published information that the Cambodian sports delegation "cut 96% of the number of athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games", the Cambodian Olympic Committee denied it.

Mr. Vath Chamroeun - Photo: OCA

On the afternoon of August 5, Thailand's Khaosod newspaper published information stating that the Thai Olympic Committee confirmed that Cambodia decided to cut 96% of the number of athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games - the SEA Games held in Thailand in early December.

Just hours later, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) officially denied it.

Mr. Vath Chamroeun - NOCC Secretary General, affirmed that there was no decision regarding the reduction of the competition force as reported by the Thai media.

Speaking to the Phnom Penh Post on the same afternoon, Mr. Chamroeun clarified: “We have never announced a reduction in the number of athletes and do not know where the number of 57 people participating in the SEA Games came from.

The Cambodian national sports delegation is still in the process of preparing according to the original plan.

Mr. Chamroeun also stressed that the current border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand will not affect the country's SEA Games campaign, affirming that sports should not be influenced by political factors or conflicts.

Previously, several major Thai newspapers such as Thairath and Thai Enquirer simultaneously published information that Cambodia had reduced the number of athletes from about 1,515 to only 57, a reduction of 96%. It is known that the initial information was published by Khaosod newspaper.

According to these sources, the reason is said to be security concerns following border tensions between the two countries in late July.

Some opinions from Thai sports officials even proposed banning Cambodia from the Games, but this proposal was rejected as violating the Olympic Charter.

Southeast Asian Games Council President Chaiyaphak Siriwat said no country has the right to unilaterally remove a member from the regional sports festival.

The Phnom Penh Post article added that NOCC is continuing to finalize the list of athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games and will announce it at the appropriate time.

“All athletes are actively training. We have not given any specific numbers yet, and when the list is complete, we will send it to the SEA Games organizing committee in due time,” Mr. Chamroeun emphasized.

The 33rd SEA Games is scheduled to take place from December 9 to 20, 2025 in three cities of Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla, Thailand.

There are currently many concerns about the security of the 33rd SEA Games, as Thailand and Cambodia have yet to find a common voice after the conflict in late July. The safety of the Cambodian sports delegation at this event is said to be a major issue.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/campuchia-noi-thai-lan-dua-tin-sai-su-that-vu-cat-giam-vdv-o-sea-games-2025080517232652.htm