Photo by Achmad Ibrahim via AP

 

Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand today, December 10, due to safety concerns expressed by parents of athletes amidst escalating border clashes with Thailand. A small group of Cambodian athletes had attended the opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on December 9. Initially, Cambodia planned to participate in 12 sports despite the border tensions.

 

However, the Cambodian delegation informed organizers today of their decision to withdraw, with athletes slated to return to Cambodia tomorrow. This move is in direct response to the ongoing confrontations between the two nations. Thana Chaiprasit, head of the Thai athletes, confirmed that the border conflict influenced Cambodia's decision after discussing the matter with the Cambodian team leader.

 

Parents reportedly made numerous calls urging officials to bring their children home due to safety concerns following the conflict. The fear was exacerbated by reports of Cambodian soldiers being detained in Thailand, raising alarms about similar risks to athletes. Pimol Srivikorn, President of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, corroborated these concerns as the situation deteriorated after the athletes' arrival.

 

Additionally, Cambodian athletes stirred controversy by wearing jackets featuring an online gambling advertisement beneath their national flag, drawing criticism from Thai netizens. This incident echoes a previous controversy involving Miss Universe Thailand contestants who were criticized for promoting gambling. However, officials have yet to address this issue, and it remains unresolved after Cambodia's withdrawal, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• Cambodia withdrew from the 2025 SEA Games over safety concerns linked to border clashes.
• Cambodian parents pressured officials to bring athletes home due to fears amplified by soldier detentions.
• A controversy arose from Cambodian athlete uniforms promoting an online gambling site.

 

Related Stories

Southeast Asian Games debut in Bangkok as security fears loom

Budget Challenges Overwhelm SEA Games Preparations

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-10

 

 

 

Why are they still holding the soldiers - thought they were being returned weeks ago? 

If this is the case? Maybe, just maybe the soldiers don't want to be sent back to be austrisized or become "cannon fodder" again. Seen photos of them in comfortable digs and being well treated.

I hope the Khmer lady holding the sign stays!! 

15 hours ago, bdenner said:

If this is the case? Maybe, just maybe the soldiers don't want to be sent back to be austrisized or become "cannon fodder" again. Seen photos of them in comfortable digs and being well treated.

 

7 hours ago, BayArea said:

I hope the Khmer lady holding the sign stays!! 

Maybe she's a prison guard?

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Cambodian parents pressured officials to bring athletes home due to fears amplified by soldier detentions.

 

Well done Cambodian parents - safety first, something Thailand lacks!

Saddening situation all around. 

Understandable, considering Cambodia's tendency to fire on civilian targets in Thailand.

3 hours ago, Myran said:

Understandable, considering Cambodia's tendency to fire on civilian targets in Thailand.

 Also Thailand firing on civilian targets in Cambodia!

Reference today's Khmer Times 11/12/2025.

 

Thailand is “lying to the world” by denying its indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, Cambodian residents say, after video recorded by a villager showed heavy damage to homes in Chouk Chey village.

 

Also of note, which I found most amusing - Thailand shelling one of its own companies!

 

The Thai military’s shelling of innocent targets in Cambodia took another turn today, when they shelled a PTT gas station, inside Cambodian territory.

 

 

15 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 Also Thailand firing on civilian targets in Cambodia!

Reference today's Khmer Times 11/12/2025.

 

Thailand is “lying to the world” by denying its indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, Cambodian residents say, after video recorded by a villager showed heavy damage to homes in Chouk Chey village.

 

Also of note, which I found most amusing - Thailand shelling one of its own companies!

 

The Thai military’s shelling of innocent targets in Cambodia took another turn today, when they shelled a PTT gas station, inside Cambodian territory.

 

 

Cambodia has already been caught numerous times using human shields by firing their artillery from populated areas. And with all the lies Cambodia has been caught with in the last few months, I'll take your picture of a bit of smoke with a big grain of salt.

6 minutes ago, Myran said:

I'll take your picture of a bit of smoke with a big grain of salt

 

You're not the only one.

 

 

A sound move by Cambodia. I have met several Thais spitting venom when talking about Camobodians. Best that the young athletes return home for their safety.

 

As some here know, my GF is Cambodian, she has not had any issues living in Thailand or returning to the country (on non-o visa extension) by air numerous times. She was questioned on leaving Bangkok to come to the UK in August under suspicion of being a spy WTF! She speaks fluent Thai same as any Thai from Surin or Buriram does. Earlier this year, in the gym, a Thai lady got chatting to her, complaining about Cambodians. After a while, Thai lady asked where my GF was from. Being straightforward she told her, Battambang, Cambodia. That was the end of that conversation as Thai lady effed off to the other side of the gym to use a different machine. LOL.

 

11 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

 

A sound move by Cambodia. I have met several Thais spitting venom when talking about Camobodians. Best that the young athletes return home for their safety.

 

As some here know, my GF is Cambodian, she has not had any issues living in Thailand or returning to the country (on non-o visa extension) by air numerous times. She was questioned on leaving Bangkok to come to the UK in August under suspicion of being a spy WTF! She speaks fluent Thai same as any Thai from Surin or Buriram does. Earlier this year, in the gym, a Thai lady got chatting to her, complaining about Cambodians. After a while, Thai lady asked where my GF was from. Being straightforward she told her, Battambang, Cambodia. That was the end of that conversation as Thai lady effed off to the other side of the gym to use a different machine. LOL.

 

 

 Thanks, and I can appreciate the experience your GF endured in Bangkok. The same thing happened to me in August, whilst returning to my home in Siem Reap from a hospital appointment in Khon Kaen.  No problems entering Thailand as I was issued with a medical tourism TDAC. However, when I went to go home, I had to face all sorts of issues when I handed my passport to the check-in lady in DMK. She asked me about a visa for Cambodia and I showed her my current retirement visa among older Cambodian and Thai retirement visas. She closed the check-in desk and went away to an office with my passport. I was left sitting in a wheelchair with my attendent sat on the floor. After some considerable time she returned, re-opened the check-in desk and then wanted to know my address in Thailand! Again I had to explain I lived in Cambodia and not Thailand anymore! She then stated I had been cleared to leave Thailand and issued me with my boarding pass. As a UK citizen with a British passport, perhaps I was regarded as a possible spy for Cambodia!