Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games)

[sbk]

SEA Games to kick off with fanfare, fireworks

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Nakhon Ratchasima

The Dec. 6 opening ceremony of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, will feature more than 8,000 performers.

Organizers said the ceremony, to be held at the newly built Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, will also be part of celebrations for the 80th birthday of the country's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"The ceremony will center around the celebrations of the king's anniversary, which falls on Dec. 5," said organizing committee member Tassana Chomboon, during a break in rehearsals at the stadium on Friday.

Thousands of dancers, singers and musicians had their first rehearsals Friday for the ceremony.

"We will stage eight scenes, with around 1,000 performers from several provinces performing in each scene," another member of the organizing committee, Sakat, said.

All of the scenes from the three-hour ceremony will revolve around the theme of the Games -- Spirit, Friendship and Celebration.

"There will be fireworks set off during the interval between each scene, which will runs for about three to five minutes ...," Sakat said.

This is the second time Thailand has hosted the Games outside Bangkok, after the 1995 Games in Chiang Mai. Nakhon, also known as Khorat, is the country's largest province. It will host most of the events, along with Bangkok and Chon Buri.

At least 1,141 athletes from 11 countries in the region will compete in 45 events during the Games, with 475 gold medals on offer.

Some events, like shooting, soccer and table tennis, will take place outside the official Games dates of Dec. 6-15.

Although organizers had promised support facilities for the Games were ready, transportation is still a problem for participants. Shuttle buses are not generally available, with organizers only able to provide a few buses upon request.

Transportation is crucial here given the distance between venues, which can reach 70 kilometers. There is also an absence of reliable public transportation in quiet Khorat, which has a population of just 150,000.

Food is another issue for the organizers to solve with the opening of the Games less than a week away. Not every venue has restaurants and canteens available, including the main stadium and the main media center.

"There is no canteen here or around the venue. That may cost a lot of budget as we have to handle everything to make the Games happen," said an officer at the media center.

"The closest canteen is about 200 meters from here, which belongs to the university," he said.

Some events will take place at universities in Khorat, including Suranaree University of Technology, Vongchavalitkul University, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University and the North Eastern Institute of Sports Sciences.

Jakarta Post

[Ski_Goong]

SEA Games to kick off with fanfare, fireworks

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Nakhon Ratchasima

The Dec. 6 opening ceremony of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, will feature more than 8,000 performers.

Organizers said the ceremony, to be held at the newly built Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, will also be part of celebrations for the 80th birthday of the country's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"The ceremony will center around the celebrations of the king's anniversary, which falls on Dec. 5," said organizing committee member Tassana Chomboon, during a break in rehearsals at the stadium on Friday.

Thousands of dancers, singers and musicians had their first rehearsals Friday for the ceremony.

"We will stage eight scenes, with around 1,000 performers from several provinces performing in each scene," another member of the organizing committee, Sakat, said.

All of the scenes from the three-hour ceremony will revolve around the theme of the Games -- Spirit, Friendship and Celebration.

"There will be fireworks set off during the interval between each scene, which will runs for about three to five minutes ...," Sakat said.

This is the second time Thailand has hosted the Games outside Bangkok, after the 1995 Games in Chiang Mai. Nakhon, also known as Khorat, is the country's largest province. It will host most of the events, along with Bangkok and Chon Buri.

At least 1,141 athletes from 11 countries in the region will compete in 45 events during the Games, with 475 gold medals on offer.

Some events, like shooting, soccer and table tennis, will take place outside the official Games dates of Dec. 6-15.

Although organizers had promised support facilities for the Games were ready, transportation is still a problem for participants. Shuttle buses are not generally available, with organizers only able to provide a few buses upon request.

Transportation is crucial here given the distance between venues, which can reach 70 kilometers. There is also an absence of reliable public transportation in quiet Khorat, which has a population of just 150,000.

Food is another issue for the organizers to solve with the opening of the Games less than a week away. Not every venue has restaurants and canteens available, including the main stadium and the main media center.

"There is no canteen here or around the venue. That may cost a lot of budget as we have to handle everything to make the Games happen," said an officer at the media center.

"The closest canteen is about 200 meters from here, which belongs to the university," he said.

Some events will take place at universities in Khorat, including Suranaree University of Technology, Vongchavalitkul University, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University and the North Eastern Institute of Sports Sciences.

Jakarta Post

As a volunteer for the SEA Games, all I can say is--------it's a "cluster <deleted>!"

I am supposed to meet VIPs (such as the Prince of Brunei, members of the Olympics committee, etc) on Monday at the airport but I still have not been told how I will get there. Oh, well.

Also took a tour of all the competition venues to ensure that they are ready to receive the VIPs, boy was I in for a shock. Simple questions such as "where will the VIPs park? Where is the bathroom? what will be provided by your facility/people?.....were met with "we are not sure."

Many facilities are not even close to being "finished" but I was told --loose translation--"We will cover up what they can see to make it look good."

SKi (Ajarn)

But overall...the people who are involve are excited. Although many are not quite sure what the SEA Games really is. From what I saw, the opening ceremony will "ROCK!!"

[blueeagle]

Cheated in 24th South East Asian Games

anent in yahoo answers:

Thailand will win South East Asian games overall title by big margin because their officials gift to 80th birthday of Thai King. Mostly have cheated more events. In womens boxing, the final game between Aparri of Philippines and Satunorun Sopida of the host Thailand. I'd watched both boxers Aparri have more hits than Sopida a bit and Aparri didn't scored by officials and Sopida if a one hit she got three points. In other weight division the officials did score more points of Thailand. The Asian Champ Martinez lost to Sumitra 11-21. Martinez have more hits but she haven't got a score and Sumitra didn't hit her suprising from 10 to 17points. Unlike, except for only Annie Albania of Philippines hits and win KO over Hansa Kadeewong of the host Thailand. Doing the host officials Thai boxer 3 points per hit and the Philippine boxer 0 point per hit. All Thai opponents should only KO against the host not only pts.In Taekwondo, Rivero hav many hits than Haller Cassandra but Rivero didnt score. Aparri deserved to be won by 16-14 over Sopida. Rivero deserved to won 6-4.