Advertisement
Cambodia
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Cambodia quits SEA Games in Thailand amid deadly border clashes

The national team had attended the opening ceremony in Bangkok on Tuesday, but was ordered home less than 24 hours later as fighting surged

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Cambodia’s delegation is seen during the parade of nations at the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games in Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Jean Iau
In an unprecedented move, Cambodia has withdrawn its entire delegation from the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing safety concerns amid renewed border clashes between the two neighbours.

The Cambodian team had attended the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok on Tuesday, but the decision to pull out came a day later amid deadly fighting along the frontier.

The Games, which run until December 20, are being held in Bangkok and the Thai provinces of Chonburi and Songkhla.

Advertisement
At least 10 people have been killed and more than 140,000 displaced in both countries since Monday, when Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian territory. Both governments have traded blame for the violence.

02:09

Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia after soldier is killed

Thailand launches air strikes on Cambodia after soldier is killed

In a letter dated Wednesday to Southeast Asian Games Federation CEO Chaiyapak Siriwat, Cambodia’s National Olympic Committee (NOCC) Secretary General Vath Chamroeun confirmed the withdrawal of the 137-member delegation, which had been scheduled to compete in 12 sports.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x