SEA Games: Thailand Will Foot The Bill For 3 Cash Strapped Countries

[sbk]

Thailand agree to pay for athletes from poor countries

BANGKOK: Hosts Thailand will foot the bill for three cash-strapped countries to send teams to this week's SEA Games, an official said yesterday.

Games organisers agreed to cover the expenses of Laos, Cambodia and East Timor, which are among the world's poorest countries, after their hard-up Olympic committees asked for help.

“Thailand wants unity at the SEA Games and since we have 11 member countries, we want all of them to be here,” Charoen Wattanasin, secretary of the organising committee, told Reuters.

“It's important that everyone gets a chance to compete.”

East Timor, whose Olympic committee is beset by administrative and financial problems, will send only seven athletes to Korat, with Games organisers picking up the tab.

The teams from Laos and Cambodia will travel for hours along their notoriously pot-holed roads before being picked up at their borders by a fleet of Thai buses.

Charoen said accommodation and transport for the three countries' athletes will also be provided.

The fiercely-contested SEA Games, which takes place every two years, officially open on Thursday, although the soccer and shooting events are already under way.

Some 5,000 athletes from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, East Timor, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar and the Philippines, will compete in 43 sports, with 475 gold medals up for grabs. – Reuters

[astral]

Wow!!

SEA games in Korat (Nakorn Ratchasima)................

That is the centre of the athletic world. :

[Ski_Goong]

Wow!!

SEA games in Korat (Nakorn Ratchasima)................

That is the centre of the athletic world. :

The center of the athletic world it may not be but as a Korat resident I am very happy about the Sea games. Korat received much needed improvements and a face lift. They now have painted lines on the roads-they've fixed most major pot holes-they've installed highway lights----and last but not least, built a really nice stadium which is supposed to be open to the public once the games is over.

Come down and watch the games. It is quite entertaining. I rather watch athletes compete for pride and fun (and a little profit) than those who are paid millions and bitch about the game.

Ski.....

[Chang_paarp]

The SEA games also has watersports and equestrian events, as the beach in Korat is somewhat lacking these events are being held in the Pattaya area. The jetski events and the triathalon at Jomtien, the equestrian events at Horseshoe Point and the canoeing and "traditional" long boat on Lake Mabprachan.

[my friend I]

Wow!!

SEA games in Korat (Nakorn Ratchasima)................

That is the centre of the athletic world. :

The center of the athletic world it may not be but as a Korat resident I am very happy about the Sea games. Korat received much needed improvements and a face lift. They now have painted lines on the roads-they've fixed most major pot holes-they've installed highway lights----and last but not least, built a really nice stadium which is supposed to be open to the public once the games is over.

Come down and watch the games. It is quite entertaining. I rather watch athletes compete for pride and fun (and a little profit) than those who are paid millions and bitch about the game.

Ski.....

They also painted the railway station, looks good.

[astral]

The SEA games also has watersports and equestrian events, as the beach in Korat is somewhat lacking these events are being held in the Pattaya area. The jetski events and the triathalon at Jomtien, the equestrian events at Horseshoe Point and the canoeing and "traditional" long boat on Lake Mabprachan.

And how many kilometres between the two locations?

With a direct transport service????

Well I suppose there is the bus service from Chonburi to Korat, it takes about 3 hours.

They also painted the railway station, looks good.

Yes.

I can just see competitors and spectators arriving on the Train from Bangkok.

[Amethyst]

heheheh no wonder Cambodia Foooball Team let Thailand Trash them 8-0 .....

Ill be heading to Korat this early Saturday morning for the Games Any TV members in Korat ???

[Tony Clifton]

Remember now, footing the bill doesn't mean you are allowed to cheat!

Is there a "bus driver fleeing the scene" competition?

Edited December 7, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[Scott]

Having those poorer countries in the games makes for an easier win for Thailand as well. Maybe more here than just "good will."

At any rate, the best to all the athletes.....Now, let the games begin.

[sriracha john]

To raise funds To Foot The Bill For Three Cash Strapped Countries involves innovative thinking.

Charge people to become an official observer (with complimentary necklace ID card) for the female swimming events. This status provides an advantageous viewing location................

Natthanan Krajang of Thailand competes in the heats of the women's 100m freestyle swimming event at the SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima December 7, 2007.

Reuters

[Amethyst]

lots of participant from other countries did not participate in this year Sea Games according to them they are not happy with the way Thailand is officiating the games this comes mostly from the body building and boxing events

Edited December 8, 2007 by tytus

[Dupont]

Wow!!

SEA games in Korat (Nakorn Ratchasima)................

That is the centre of the athletic world. :

At this moment in time, it probably is!

I think its great all round that this event is being held in the North. Why should everything be held in Bangkok?

I hope it is a sucess for them.

[billrose]

heheheh no wonder Cambodia Foooball Team let Thailand Trash them 8-0 .....

Any TV members in Korat ???

Thousands of us, and we're all grateful for the improvements the games has brought to Korat.

I'll be watching the football next week and some of the badminton which is being held about 5 KMs from my house. Beats going to Bangkok to watch sport.

[sriracha john]

To raise funds To Foot The Bill For Three Cash Strapped Countries involves innovative thinking.

Charge people to become an official observer (with complimentary necklace ID card) for the female swimming events. This status provides an advantageous viewing location................

Natthanan Krajang of Thailand competes in the heats of the women's 100m freestyle swimming event at the SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima December 7, 2007.

Reuters

As a coincidental follow-up.... a hearty congratulations to the object of all these "official observers" fascination....

Swimmer Natthanan secures 1st gold

Thailand's outstanding swimmer Natthanan Junkrajang *name transliteration is a wonderful thing, eh?* clinched her first gold medal at the 24th SEA Games 2007 after finishing first in the women's 100-meter freestyle in her best-ever time of 57.55 seconds.

- ThaiNews

--------------------------

Edited December 8, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Natthanan's Gold Rush continues...

Thailand's Natthanan Krajang (bottom) and Jiratida Pinyosophon celebrate after winning the Women's 4X100m freestyle relay swimming final at the SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima December 8, 2007.

REUTERS

It was her third gold medal... two of them on record-breaking efforts....

Natthanan helps smash record

Natthanan Junkrajang secured her and Thailand's third swimming gold medal after helping the kingdom win the women's 4x100m freestyle relay in a record-breaking time yesterday. Natthanan, Pilin Tachakrittirnan, Jirathida Pinyosophon and Pannika Prachgosin set a new Games mark of 8:20.7 minutes on their way to victory.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Sports/09Dec2007_sport008.php

Edited December 9, 2007 by sriracha john