SEA Games 33 changed venue due to flooding, Vietnam U22 team to Bangkok.
Due to flooding, the organizers moved all 10 sports scheduled to be held in Songkhla to Bangkok, including men's football. The Vietnam U22, Laos U22, and Malaysia U22 teams were all brought to the capital.
An emergency meeting this morning of the SEA Games 33 Organizing Committee concluded with the decision to move all 10 sports originally scheduled to be held in Songkhla province to Bangkok, due to flooding in southern Thailand. Men's football was among the sports relocated; accordingly, the Vietnam U22, Laos U22, and Malaysia U22 teams will compete in Bangkok.
Urgent decision for safety and competition standards.
Mr. Chalitrat Chantrubeksa, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, confirmed that Bangkok will host the following sports: boxing, pencak silat, men's football, chess, judo, kabaddi, karate, wrestling, petanque, and wushu.
Speaking to Siamsport, Mr. Chantrubeksa emphasized concerns that go beyond the receding floodwaters: “It’s not just about whether the water will recede in time, but also about the extent of damage to the sites after the flood and whether the repairs will meet international standards. We are also concerned about the risk of disease and the health impact on athletes and staff.”
Severe flooding in Songkhla — one of the three host cities for the 33rd SEA Games — has put all safety measures at risk. Many sports delegations have expressed concerns about the weather and the ability to mitigate the consequences of the flooding.
The subjects that have been moved out of Songkhla.
- Boxing
- Pencak Silat
- Men's football
- Chess
- Judo
- Kabaddi
- Karate
- Wrestling
- Steel ball
- Lucia Shu
The pressure to coordinate and find new venues for the competition.
Sports federations were required to find new venues for competitions in a short period of time. The Thai Wushu Federation had to arrange a new arena for Wushu. Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, wrestling, and pétanque also had to completely change their organizational plans.
| Area | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Songkhla | Ten sports have been cancelled. | Flood impact |
| Bangkok | Received 10 subjects | Ensuring standards and safety |
Impact on men's football and the Vietnam U22 team.
The new decision forces the Vietnam U22 team to further adjust their itinerary. According to the initial plan, Group B matches were scheduled to take place in Chiang Mai, but were later moved to Songkhla. Due to flooding, the Vietnam U22, Laos U22, and Malaysia U22 teams will all be brought together in Bangkok.
The constant changes have affected the teams' preparations. However, given the unpredictable nature of the natural disaster and the clearly stated health risks, moving all the events from Songkhla to Bangkok is considered the safest option at present.
Organizational perspective: prioritizing standards and health.
The organizing committee's message was consistent: international venue standards and health safety were the top priority. This explains why Bangkok—a city with significant organizational capacity—was entrusted with hosting a substantial number of events on short notice, aiming to minimize professional and health risks for athletes and staff involved in the competition.
