BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand is preparing to welcome sports fans with free registration to attend the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, marking the country’s return as host after 18 years. The announcement came during the first 2025 organizing committee meeting for the SEA Games and the 13th ASEAN Para Games, chaired by Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilattayakorn.
The meeting emphasized Thailand’s readiness to host the Games in accordance with international standards, including competition management and the “Safety First” security policy to ensure the safety of all participants.
A key change involves the men’s Group A football matches — featuring Thailand, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste — originally scheduled at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, which will now be held at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok due to enhanced security measures in the capital. The matches are scheduled for December 4, 7, and 11, 2025, aligning with the official opening ceremony on December 9. The stadium’s pitch will be fully prepared for competition, with areas cordoned off during the opening to prevent damage.
Comprehensive security arrangements will be in place across Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and relevant agencies.
To promote public participation, the Ministry and Sports Authority will open free registration for spectators, offering special quotas for students, underprivileged groups, and people with disabilities. For popular sports such as football and volleyball, additional viewing areas with large screens will be set up outside the main stadiums to allow fans who miss registration to enjoy the games. (TNA)
